Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 March 2008
Harare — BISHOP Nolbert Kunonga has vowed not to revoke his decision to break away from the Church Province of the Central Africa or compromise with the rival group led by Retired Bishop Sebastian Bakare as that would mean betraying the fundamental principles of the Anglican faith.
Speaking at a meeting called by the Department of Public and Interactive Affairs in Harare last week, Bishop Kunonga said the withdrawal from the province was a synod decision.
He blamed the courts for causing the current skirmishes and violence in the church after allowing Bishop Bakare and his followers to use Anglican Church property.
"As the Diocese of Harare we strictly adhere to the scriptures.
"The cannons are clear on the issue of homosexuality. We are not doing anything new, but we have joined other dioceses elsewhere that have rejected homosexuality and decided to break away from their provinces.
"If they do not see anything bad in homosexuality then for us there is no compromise," he said.
He said homosexuality was not an Anglican Church problem but one of humanity as it violated one of the pillars of human dignity.
"This is a problem of humankind as it questions human dignity. It is imperative that people view human rights as an offshoot of human dignity and not vice-versa.
"The Province of Central Africa has no jurisdiction over us as we have broken away from them," he said.
Bishop Kunonga said he was being persecuted for his principled stance in the church.
The rival Anglican group was not represented at the meeting as Bishop Bakare was said to be away on other church commitments.
The two rival groups have been battling over the control of the church property, culminating in skirmishes nearly every Sunday.
Last month the High Court ruled that the two feuding parties should share the church and conduct services 90 minutes apart while it determines which camp should assume control of the church's assets.
Secretary for Public and Interactive Affairs Cde Thompson Tsodzo promised to get in touch with the Bishop Bakare-led group in a bid to find an amicable solution to the dispute.
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