The Chronicle Newspaper (Lilongwe)
Arnold Mnelemba
7 February 2006
Lilongwe — Members of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Lake Malawi have questioned the credibility, conduct and behaviour of the archbishop of the Church of Province of Central Africa, Bernard Malango and are calling for his immediate resignation for alleged gross violation of the Church's Constitution and Canons.
Patrick Misanjo, a member of the Anglican Church at St. Michael's church in Lilongwe said that people are tired of the archbishop's conduct and behaviour over the election of the diocese's bishop saying the archbishop is an interested party and would like to bring confusion in the church.
Misanjo said the archbishop is contravening the law by trying to bring his personal interests into the system. He is alleged to have demanded, before the election of the new bishop Nicholas Henderson that he is of the opinion that people in the diocese must elect a black bishop.
He, however, insinuated that the people in the diocese would do anything to ensure that they have a white bishop and not a black bishop as he had wanted it to be. "Because the archbishop has a candidate in his pocket, he is acting against the wishes of congregants, and he is in gross violation of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. We have just been told that the issue has been referred to a Diocesan synod and as church members; we are very surprised as to what is happening because the constitution is clear that if the Briton Bishop elect is rejected, there must be a proposed name of another bishop elect. By appointing another bishop instead of consecrating our bishop elect is a total breach of the Constitution and Canons. Go and read Canon 6: 10," said the member.
Canon 6: 10 stipulates: "The elective of Assembly may either (a) elect by two thirds majority in a secret ballot, a Bishop from among those nominated in accordance with the Rules. It may also, at the same time nominate by fresh election, or by successively fresh elections, one or more persons, in order that if the person first elected shall refuse to accept the office, or his election can not be confirmed, the first on the alternative list shall then be regarded as the elected person; and if he also refuses, or his election can not be confirmed, the next on the list shall be substituted, until the election of one is confirmed, or the list is exhausted; or (b) it may also delegate the appointment to the Episcopal Synod or to the Archbishop of Canterbury acting together with the Archbishop of Central Africa (or the Dean of the Province) and not more than two clergy nominated by the elective assembly." Misanjo, speaking on behalf of other congregants said the Archbishop acted against the above constitutional provision by not trying to exhaust the list of nominated persons and by making decisions without consulting other concerned quarters as stipulated by the clause in the canon citing the Bishop of Canterbury as an example.
Adding to Misanjo's sentiments, Aaron Lawe said the archbishop violated a clause in Canon 7: 3 (b) by refusing the Bishop elect a chance to be heard by the court of confirmation a thing he said clearly shows that the bishop is not acting in good faith.
Lawe quoted the clause which says: "Upon the day and the time appointed, the bishops shall sit in open court, and examine, and determine upon the following documents presented by the Bishop elect.
Letters commendatory or dismissory from the Bishop of his Diocese or Archbishop of his province; and if these be found sufficient, shall then cause all opposers, if any there be, to be cited to appear; if no objection be offered, the Court shall confirm the election; but if any canonical objection be offered, it shall proceed to hear and examine the same, and the decision of the court shall be openly declared by the President of the Court." Contrary to thus provision, Lawe said the archbishop went on to stop Henderson from coming to defend himself before the court of confirmation. This, he said is a breach of constitution and of procedures. "If the archbishop is violating the church constitution, what do you make of that? He has failed us and deserves to step down. We can not bow down to his wishes because now we are sure that he is barring the bishop elect to come to Malawi because of his personal interests. No wonder his election was marred with misunderstandings too," Lawe said.
While confirming that other quarters in the church are against the archbishop's conduct a church warden for St. Peters church in area 3, Bernard Kwilimbe noted that it is high time congregants stopped burying their heads in the sand but however agreeing that people would wait for the outcome of the synod. "There is dialogue going on and I attended an archdeaconry meeting where we were told that the matter will be sorted out at synod. I am not sure what that means, whether it will be at provincial level, diocesan level, or archdeaconry level but we are hoping the best from synod," said Kwilimbe.
The archdeacon for Lilongwe archdeaconry Venerable Reverend Father Kaulanda based at St. Mary's Anglican Church confirmed that the matter was referred to synod but could not shed any light as to when the synod will take place and what people should expect from there.
Kaulanda said he is optimistic that the case will be amicably resolved and the views from both sides will be respected.
Archbishop Bernard Malango too confirmed that the matter was referred to synod but vehemently denied being an interested party, insisting that he will ensure that the truth prevails and that natural justice is applied. "I do not think that it is in my interest that I bring confusion in the church, but we are trying to follow every right procedure and that we stand firm on our doctrine and indeed apply natural justice," he said.
He ruled out the possibility of him being removed from the post prematurely saying he is retiring next year and that people who would like him to be removed should not bother.
The post of the Bishop of Lake Malawi Diocese fell vacant following the death of Bishop Peter Nyanja.
A Briton, Nicholas Paul Henderson was elected bishop for the diocese but was rejected on allegations that he supports gay movements and Malango appointed Mwenda to take over the diocese for two years, a proposal that has been rejected by members of the church.
The majority of members have insisted that a white bishop takes over the mantle of leading the diocese. The Anglican diocese of Northern Malawi was the first diocese to elect a white bishop, Jackson Cunningham Biggers, then Christopher John Boyle and congregants from the diocese of Northern Malawi boast of having enjoyed much developmental activity in the church with the white bishops.
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