Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Zimbabwean Anglicans still barred from shrine


From Zimbabwe-

Anglicans in Zimbabwe's Diocese of Masvingo are again facing arrest for trying to commemorate the life and work of Arthur Shearly Cripps and for carrying out their ministry, reports the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS).

Last year, clergy and pilgrims were prevented from holding their celebrations at the Shearly Cripps Shrine in Maronda Mashanu by excommunicated bishop Nolbert Kunonga, supported by police. Kunonga claimed to be in charge of the shrine and 78 Anglican churches in Masvingo Diocese.

"This year we had arranged to hold the celebrations from 27 to 29 July," the bishop of Masvingo, Godfrey Tawonezwi, wrote to supporters, "but Kunonga and the police have once again stopped us from doing so. Last week Kunonga put up posters … advertising that he … will be going to Shearly Cripps Shrine the same weekend we had planned to be at the shrine. The police wrote us a letter saying that all Anglican Church property is under the custodianship of Kunonga."

The group has moved the event to the beginning of August, but police have labelled the planned gathering "illegal" and participants could face arrest, ACNS reports. Kunonga is a well-known ally of Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe and has often had police backing for his actions.

Tawonezwi said he has informed police that court cases they are citing refer to a property dispute in the Diocese of Harare, not Masvingo.

More here-

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16897

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