Anglican Bishop Ruwona back in court

From Zimbabwe-

Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop, Eric Ruwona, appeared in court on Wednesday for routine remand on fraud charges involving US$700 000 which he, together with three accomplices, allegedly siphoned from church coffers.

He will be back in court again on February 24 when the court is expected to furnish him with a trial date.

Ruwona, who is denying the charges, is out on $15 000 bail.

As part ot the bail conditions he was ordered to report once every Friday at Mutare Central Police Station and not to interfere with State witnesses.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, also ordered him to continue residing at No. 1 Oak Road, Murambi.

Allegations were that the bishop and his three accomplices, who are still at large, hatched a plan to defraud the diocese.

More here-

https://www.thezimbabwedaily.com/news/386284-anglican-bishop-ruwona-back-in-court.html

Anglican congregants exchange blows in service

From Zimbabwe-

An ugly fist fight broke out during service inside St Agnes Anglican Church in Mutare on Sunday, pitting Masvingo Provincial Development Co-ordinator Mr Fungai  Mbetsa, on one side and Mr Tinotenda Magada on the other.

St Agnes Anglican Church for a while has been a hotbed of factional fights and on Sunday a normal praise and worship session came to a halt as members from feuding factions clashed.

Video scenes typical of a nightclub brawl have since gone viral on social media depicting chaos that rocked the church service on Sunday with members insulting, pushing and shoving each other.

Mr Mbetsa concurred that the church session did not come to a logical conclusion because of "political issues in the Anglican church".

More here-

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-171020.html

Churches hope to see the end of Mugabe’s rule

From The Church Times-

CHURCHES in Zimbabwe have spoken with hope about “the birth of a new nation”, after military action on Wednesday appeared to curtail the rein of President Robert Mugabe.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the Zimbabwean Council of Churches said: “We see the current situation not just as a crisis in which we are helpless. We see the current arrangement as an opportunity for the birth of a new nation. Our God created everything out of chaos, and we believe something new could emerge out of our situation.”

In the hours that followed the military intervention, the general secretary of the Zimbabwean Council of Churches, the Revd Dr Kenneth Mtata, called on all political and civil actors to rebuild a broken society.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/17-november/news/world/zimbabwe-churches-call-for-transition-to-more-just-society

Pastor Caught In Revenge Porn Drama

From the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up Department" (Zimbabwe)

HELL hath no fury like a woman scorned!

True to this, a Chikanga woman who had had enough of her husband’s promiscuous ways decided to revenge by shooting pornographic videos with her lover. The Mapises’ marriage is in tatters after the husband, Pastor Mapise, a cleric with an Anglican church in Harare, came across two pornographic videos and several nude pictures in his wife’s phone.

In an interview with The Weekender, the wife, who only identified herself as Mai Mapise, said there was no proof to show that it was her in the video since faces were not shown. “I only did it to fix him as he has subjected me to a lot of emotional abuse in the 11 years that we were married.  “The videos and pictures that he found in my phone were not even mine, but because he is in possession of such videos of himself and his lovers in his phone I retaliated. I have had enough of his promiscuous ways.”


More here-

https://www.zimeye.net/pastor-caught-in-revenge-porn-drama/

Anglican Church lawyers after Nolbert Kunonga

From Zimbabwe-

The Anglican Church has instructed its lawyers to recover everything the church lost to ex-communicated bishop Dr Nolbert Kunonga following the Supreme Court ruling last month.

The superior court ordered the bishop to pay the Anglican Church $427 000 as compensation for shares he sold after he led the church into schism in 2007.

The shares were owned by the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) in various firms and by command of the law, the decision of the Supreme Court is final and binding on all subordinate courts.

The Anglican Diocesan secretary, Reverend Clifford Dzavo, said Dr Kunonga was yet to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.

"We met our lawyers Gill, Godlonton and Gerrans last week on Friday after the court ruling," said Rev Dzavo.

"We have instructed them to follow up the matter and recover the money and everything that we lost to Kunonga.

More here-

http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-109483.html

Anglican Bishop’s shocking affair

From Zimbabwe-

Nasty rumours are once again dogging St Agnes' Anglican Church in Chikanga. This time it involves Bishop Erick Ruwona and his alleged, adulterous affair with a married woman who is also a member of his congregation.

A resulting feud between supporters and non-supporters of the bishop has broken out, taken control of the parish and is now threatening to tear the, already fragile, diocese apart.

Church members have, via whatsapp, called for the expulsion of both Ruwona and the lady involved, Portia Magada, accusing the bishop of failing to execute his duties in the Anglican Manicaland Diocese.

Worshippers have also appealed to the Zambia based Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Central Africa, Archbishop Albert Chama and the Episcopal Synod of the Anglican Church to intervene in the matter on their behalf.

More here-

http://thezimbabwean.co/2017/01/anglican-bishops-shocking-affair/

Anglican priest, 65, threatens to axe wife, 38, for denying him sex

From Zimbabwe-

A Zimbabwean Anglican priest, 65, threatened to axe his wife after he accused her of denying him his conjugal rights and of being "disrespectful", a report said on Wednesday.

According to the Chronicle newspaper, this came to light when Father Climax Dewa appeared in court on Tuesday in Bulawayo for violating a peace order not to physically and verbally abuse his wife, Doris Dewa, 38.

Doris had applied for a peace order against her husband last year, as she accused him of physically, emotionally and psychologically abusing her. The order was granted to in April.

Father Dewa told the court during his appearance that his wife was a "gold digger". He also claimed that she was "disrespectful", adding that she also denied him his conjugal rights.

More here-

http://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/anglican-priest-65-threatens-to-axe-wife-38-for-denying-him-sex-20170111

Anglican Bishop Shut Out for Burying His Wife in Church

From Zimbabwe-

THE Anglican Church has moved to sever ties with a retired bishop who last month pulled a shocker by digging a grave and burying his late wife in a chapel.

The church said it was implementing a series of proposals to salvage "what is left of our dignity and integrity" after the saga, adding that "we cannot be insulted any worse than this".

Controversial philanthropist and retired Anglican cleric Lazarus Muyambi buried wife, Neddie, inside a chapel on November 26 in a development that reportedly baffled the Gokwe community and divided the Anglican church.

Despite retiring, Muyambi is reportedly engaged in a row over ownership and control of church facilities and properties that include a girls' high school.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201612100011.html

Discord again rocks Anglican Church

From Zimbabwe-

The Manicaland Bishop, Erick Ruwona yesterday confirmed that Bakare, a former bishop of Manicaland and Harare provinces, is in charge at St Agnes Anglican church.

Angry congregation members have accused Ruwona of arrogance and have labelled him a dictator who has failed the diocese.

This journalist is in possession of a copy of a letter from members of the congregation addressed to Ruwona dated 4 December 2016, in which they state that they are dissatisfied with events taking place at their church.

http://thezimbabwean.co/2016/12/181111/

(Anglican) Church Responds as Millions Face Starvation in Southern Africa

From Charisma-

The Anglican mission agency USPG has launched an emergency appeal to support Anglican churches in southern Africa as they reach out to communities facing famine and loss of life.

Erratic weather, drought and crop failures have resulted in chronic food shortages in Madagascar, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with hundreds of lives lost due to malnutrition.

In Madagascar, The Ret. Rev. Dr Todd McGregor, bishop of Toliara, reported that during a confirmation service, a young person collapsed in his arms due to dehydration.

And the diocese of Toliara's development co-ordinator, Gasthé Alphonse, told USPG: "People are weak and listless and sleeping every day without eating. Children have started to drop out of school through weakness or because they've got to walk further to collect water.
More here-

http://www.charismanews.com/world/61315-church-responds-as-millions-face-starvation-in-southern-africa

Mugabe had no choice: Anglicans

From Zimbabwe-

On November 19, 2011, the Supreme Court ruled Kunonga was no longer a member of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) and immediately vested control of Harare Diocese in Gandiya, bringing to a close a five-year acrimonious battle.

Government had, in the wrangle, weighed in behind Kunonga.

However, in a sign of the end of hostilities early this week, Mugabe met Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Gandiya for the first time since the end of what local Anglicans have come to know as “our years in exile”.

Gandiya told NewsDay yesterday that relations between government and the church had become cordial since the judgment.

More here-

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/04/21/mugabe-no-choice-anglicans/

The Church and sex scandals

From Zimbabwe-

Congregants should also raise alarm whenever “holy men” hide behind the Scriptures to win sexual favours. This was said by Anglican Church Harare Bishop (Central Africa Province) Chad Gandiya in a frank discussion on sex scandals rocking the Church.

He also spoke of how Anglicans in the capital have set up a “Gender Desk” to help victims, and the rigorous vetting that would-be priests go through.

For years, various churches across the globe have been grappling with improper conduct involving some of their leaders.

Though statistics are not readily available, Zimbabwe’s courts and church tribunals have handled their fair share of such cases. Most accounts have culprits abusing their immense influence to push sex as a gateway to prosperity and spiritual healing. The victims are largely vulnerable women desperate to escape problems.

More here-

http://nehandaradio.com/2015/10/04/the-church-and-sex-scandals/

Pastor goes berserk, destroys Anglican church property

From Zimbabwe-

Apostle Tirivangani Gunduza is reported to have pulled the roof off the Anglican church after he had been served with an eviction order by a messenger of court.

Gunduza who belongs to the ex-communicated Anglican Church leader, Nolbert Kunonga’s faction is said to have failed to stomach the eviction news hence he vandalized property at the church.

“Gunduza was appointed pastor by Kunonga although he had not gone through any training to lead the church. He was appointed in 2011 before he moved on to form his own church called God’s Fire Ministries International.

More here-

http://nehandaradio.com/2015/07/21/pastor-goes-berserk-destroys-anglican-church-property/

Anglicans battle to clear Kunonga’s debt

From Zimbabwe-

The dethroned Anglican Church leader, who during his reign ran down church properties, left behind a huge bill that parishioners are struggling to settle.

Last Sunday, parishioners at the Anglican Cathedral were told to make contributions towards servicing the outstanding arrears.

“It was almost a $100 000 and we have now reduced it to about $80 000,” said Reverend Clifford Dzavo, secretary for Harare Diocese. “This includes properties only in direct control of the bishop. If we combine the whole arrears, it could run much higher.”

Chad Gandiya, the bishop of the Diocese of Harare, said they were trying to clear the bill.

“The lawyers have all the information above the exact amount that we are supposed to pay,” Gandiya said.

“But for now, we are paying the arrears in small amounts because since they (Kunonga faction) were using our name, we are supposed to pay. Legally, we are paying because they were using our name. However, with the current economic situation it is also difficult for us to make the payments.”

More here-

http://nehandaradio.com/2014/06/24/anglicans-battle-clear-kunongas-debt/

Zimbabwe Anglicans prepare for women’s ordination with CofE visit

From ENS-


 Bishop of Harare Chad Gandiya has expressed his gratitude for a recent visit to his diocese by three women priests from the Church of England.

The Rev. Canon Liz Walker, the Rev. Judy Henning and the Rev. Anne Jablonski, all from the Diocese of Rochester, traveled to the African nation with their bishop the Rt. Rev. Brian Castle.

The trip was, however, more than just a friendly visit, and the three women were deployed to various parishes within the Diocese of Harare. They spent two weekends in parishes and were in Zimbabwe from Jan 4-13.

In an interview with ACNS on Jan. 23, Gandiya said, “This was the first in the diocese! The [Church of England] priests were surprised by the reception they received in those parishes and they were able to carry out their work joyfully.”

The priests also joined fellow clergy from Zimbabwe for a week-long annual clergy retreat at Peterhouse, in the town of Marondera. “It was as if we had women priests in the diocese already,” said Gandiya.

At its provincial synod held in November last year, the Church of the Province of Central Africa, of which Zimbabwe is a part, voted against a motion to allow individual dioceses who want to ordain women to go ahead.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/01/24/zimbabwe-anglicans-prepare-for-womens-ordination-with-cofe-visit/

Excommunicated Bishop Kunonga grabs Anglican parish

From Zimbabwe-

Excommunicated Anglican Bishop Nolbert Kunonga has reportedly grabbed back the Anglican Church of St Luke in Bvumbura parish in Chikomba District

Last week Kunonga's loyalists forced out parishioners with the help of local traditional leaders, ZANU PF politicians and government officials.

A Wednesday Daily News report quoted Revd Muyengwa Murombedzi, the priest in charge at the parish, saying worshippers were threatened with arrest if they ever returned to the property.

Murombedzi said Chief Chivese and headman Razaro Gombiro Mudavanhu ordered congregants to make way for Kunonga's loyalists, led by the Revd Tirivanhu Gomo.

Kunonga was expelled from the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa in 2008 and went on to form the Anglican Church of the Province of Zimbabwe.He then seized over 90 properties belonging to the Anglican Church.

However, Kunonga lost control of the St Luke's parish to the main Anglican Church in 2012 following a Supreme Court ruling ending his six-year battle with his successor Bishop Chad Gandiya.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/12/excommunicated-bishop-kunonga-grabs-anglican-parish.aspx

Excommunicated Kunonga Withdraws Case,Ordered To Pay Costs

From Zimbabwe-

Harare, November 8, 2013-Former Anglican Church leader Archbishop Nolbert Kunonga, has since been dumped by his lawyers from Samkange and Venturas law firm, a move which forced him to withdraw a High Court civil matter where he was seeking to have the church’s properties indigenised.

Following the withdrawal, the court ordered Kunonga to pay costs of the civil suit at a higher scale.
In December last year,excommunicated Kunonga filed an application seeking to have the Anglican Church’s properties indigenised under the country’s indigenisation laws following the Supreme Court’s ruling that stripped him of control of the properties.

The Supreme Court had ruled that the Bishop Chad Gandiya-led Church of the Central Province of Africa (CPCA) was the rightful owner of the Anglican Church’s properties and not Kunonga and his breakaway faction. This did not go down well with Kunonga who then sought to have CPCA properties indigenised.

More here-

http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/national-news/10374-excommunicated-kunonga-withdraws-case-ordered-to-pay-costs.html

Zimbabwe gets first woman priest, more than 12,000 km away in New Zealand

From Zimbabwe/New Zealand-

When the Lynfield Community Church minister was first ordained by the Anglican Church in New Zealand four years ago she was breaking new ground as a female Zimbabwean minister.

It was upon discovering women were not accepted as Anglican ministers in Zimbabwe that Ms Gumbeze made the decision to leave her family behind to fulfil her calling.

“When I grew up I had never seen a woman priest but it never crossed my mind that there were professions that women weren’t allowed to do,” she says.

“For someone who is so strong on social issues it bothered me. I thought this was an injustice – if I would like this and I believe God wants me to do this, who are these men to tell me I can’t?”

More here-

http://nehandaradio.com/2013/09/04/zimbabwe-gets-first-woman-priest-more-than-12-000-km-away-in-new-zealand/

Anglican Church Starts Massive Reconstruction

From Central Africa-

THE Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA), which inherited a huge debt and dilapidated infrastructure from excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, has embarked on a massive rebuilding exercise.

The church's infrastructure collapsed after it was forcibly occupied by Kunonga until last year when the wrangle ended.

CPCA Bishop Chad Gandiya said the church had started a massive reconstruction exercise to repair the damage that was caused by five years of total neglect.

The exercise involves renovating all church building, houses and schools owned by the church.

"Our education secretary is working with the heads of our schools on renovating those schools and improving them," Gandiya said.

The church split in 2007 with Kunonga leading the breakaway faction that seized most of the church properties and bank accounts.

However, the courts last year ordered Kunonga and his followers to vacate the church properties.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201309020608.html

Churches feel vulnerable after Mugabe reelected in Zimbabwe

From Zimbabwe (via Alaska)

The atmosphere in Zimbabwe after the reelection of strongman Robert Mugabe is not one of great celebration, but of tension.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the main challenger, says he will not join in a new governing coalition but is contesting the credibility of the July 31 vote in court.

Fears are on the rise in the capital of Harare, reports say, that under one-party rule, a host of Mr. Mugabe’s old partners, cronies, henchmen, and friends will start to come out of the woodwork to take advantage of the hour.

Foreign-owned banks, mines, and businesses have heard that, to fulfill a campaign promise made by Mugabe, their assets may be seized and restructured into a majority national ownership arrangement.

Now it appears the considerable property of the Anglican church in Zimbabwe, though it is mostly a black membership, may also be under renewed scrutiny by the unscrupulous.

The chief Anglican bishop in Zimbabwe, Chad Gandiya, this week accused a renegade clergyman and friend of Mugabe of restarting a campaign using brutality, the courts, and police to seize churches, orphanages, and missions owned by mainstream Anglicans.
More here-

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130812/churches-feel-vulnerable-after-mugabe-reelected-zimbabwe