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A Critical Historical Evaluation of the Anglican Diocese of Harare’S Decade of Turmoil, 2002-2012

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A Critical Historical Evaluation of the Anglican Diocese of Harare’S Decade of Turmoil, 2002-2012 A CRITICAL HISTORICAL EVALUATION OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HARARE’S DECADE OF TURMOIL, 2002-2012 by FARAI MUTAMIRI Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor In the subject CHURCH HISTORY at the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA PROMOTER: PROF. G. DUNCAN AUGUST 2017 Abstract The Anglican Diocese of Harare found itself dragged through a decade of turmoil which ran from 2002 to 2012, by the actions of its sitting Bishop, Bishop Nolbert Kunonga who, for reasons, of which some are highlighted in this research, became intent on severing ties with the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA). In the process Bishop Nolbert Kunonga formed his own Province called the Anglican Province of Zimbabwe (APZ) but, notwithstanding this, was determined to hold on to the properties that belonged to the CPCA. The build-up to the formation of the APZ, saw the Anglican Diocese of Harare clergy and laity being subjected to and witnessing the total disregard of the Constitution and Canons of the Province of Central Africa by Bishop Kunonga and some of those who were supporting him. This unusual development which did not conform to the often cited ‘quest for belonging’, caused a lot of bickering involving the Bishop, some clergy and some parishioners which culminated in an attempt to bring Bishop Kunonga before an ecclesiastical court on thirty-eight charges among them that of inciting murder. The second half of the decade of turmoil, the years 2008 to 2012, was characterised by the persecution of CPCA Anglicans in the Diocese of Harare as they fought to regain their properties. The ‘doctrinal’ reason for withdrawing the Diocese of Harare from CPCA, as cited by Bishop Kunonga, that the CPCA was condoning homosexuality drew the ire of the state. The fierce fighting between the two Provinces, that is the APZ and CPCA, over control of the properties belonging to the Anglican Diocese of Harare, saw the police and state intervening but seemingly taking sides with Bishop Kunonga. By so doing the Anglicans in the Diocese of Harare CPCA ended up appearing as if they were a political outfit fighting the state in the guise of fighting for their properties. The Supreme Court ruling of the 19th of November 2012 brought the matter to its finality when it ruled in favour of the CPCA and declared that Bishop Kunonga had no legal right to claim ownership or control of properties that belonged to an organisation (CPCA) which he had withdrawn from. ii Acknowledgements My most profound gratitude goes to the following people and institutions that have made this research possible. First, I wish to thank my wife, Letwin, for being considerate and without whose love and encouragement I would not have been able to see this project come to fruition. Coupled with this is the support of my lovely kids Cephas, Tapiwanashe and Farai Jnr. To my family I say no amount of money can ever pay you for the emotional sacrifice that you made in order that I concentrate on my studies. Second, I would like to thank Prof Graham Duncan (my promoter) whose sound academic advice, guidance, professionalism and fatherly approach to academic studies gave me the zeal and strength to focus on my research. His dedication to academic excellence is so amazing I can never thank him enough for his support in my research project. Many thanks to Prof Ezra Chitando and Dr Regis Gunda for their immense contribution to this project their advice and guidance can never go unnoticed. I also wish to express my profound gratitude to the Anglican Bishop of Harare, the Rt Rev Dr Chad Nicholas Gandiya, who made it possible to strike the balance I needed between, my studies and my pastoral duties. My thanks are also due to those who contributed their wealth of knowledge and time by responding to my questionnaires and interviews. My gratitude also goes to those institutions which assisted in resourcing the project, including the University of Pretoria, Arrupe College, Bishop Gaul College, Anglican Cathedral of St Mary and All Saints and The Anglican Diocese of Harare, parishes in the diocese who availed their records for my research. I wish to put on record as well my thanks to fellow University of Pretoria PhD students from the Diocese of Harare, Friar Joshua Musiyambiri, Ven Vincent Fenga, Canon William Nyapokoto, Fr John Chawarika, Fr Isheunesu Gusha and Canon Blessing Shambare. We shared both lighter and challenging moments as we travelled together to and from South Africa, encouraging each other, often bailing each other out and for that I am for ever indebted to you my brothers. I also wish to thank Fr Tambaoga Manjengwa for taking time to accompany me to Zambia and Malawi for my research. To all I may not have mentioned by name but who supported me, I say, “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may iii the name of the God of Jacob protect you…. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20 vs 1 & 4 NIV). Above all, I thank God for His mercies, which endures forever. iv Dedication I dedicate this thesis to my wife Letwin Mutamiri, my lovely children Cephas, Tapiwanashe and Farai (Jnr) and to all the Anglicans in the Diocese of Harare. v Abbreviations APZ : Anglican Province of Zimbabwe CPCA : Church of the Province of Central Africa Cde : Comrade ECUSA : Episcopal Church in the United States of America EDS : Episcopal Divinity School Fr : Father MSASA : Massachusetts Scholarship for African Students in America MDC : Movement for Democratic Change POSA : Public Order and Security Act Rev : Reverend UDI : Unilateral Declaration of Independence Ven : Venerable ZANLA : Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army ZANU-PF : Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front ZAPU : Zimbabwe African People’s Union ZCTU : Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions ZIPRA : Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army ZRP : Zimbabwe Republic Police vi List of Figures and Sketches Figure 1 Bishop Nolbert Kunonga. ...................................................................... 49 Figure 2 Cathedral of St Mary and All Saints. ..................................................... 64 Figure 3 Empty Union Jack Flag Box .................................................................... 65 Figure 4 British South African Company Plaque. ................................................ 66 Figure 5 The Royal Rhodesia Regiment Court of Arms. ...................................... 66 Figure 6 Plaque to Commemorate Black Freedom Fighters. .............................. 67 Figure 7 New APZ Bishops ................................................................................. 181 Figure 8 The Ex-Communication Letter. ........................................................... 186 Figure 9 Cartoon of Two Bishops Fighting. ....................................................... 203 Figure 10 Police Officer Disturbing the Service. ............................................... 204 Figure 11 Police officer in The Cathedral. ......................................................... 205 Figure 12 Scene Outside Anglican Cathedral. ................................................... 205 Figure 13 Scene Outside Anglican Cathedral. ................................................... 206 Figure 14 Scene Outside Anglican Cathedral. ................................................... 206 Figure 15 Scene outside Anglican Cathedral. .................................................... 207 Figure 16 Police Block Gates at St Paul's Highfield. .......................................... 208 Figure 17 Police Block Gates at St Paul's Highfield. .......................................... 209 Figure 18 Police Disperse Parishioners Using Teargas. ..................................... 209 Figure 19 Table of Parishes and Use. ................................................................ 216 Figure 20 The Cathedra in the Anglican Cathedral. .......................................... 220 Figure 21 The Exile Throne. ............................................................................... 221 Figure 22 Demonstration Against Archbishop R. Williams. .............................. 230 Figure 23 Demonstration Against Archbishop R. Williams. .............................. 231 Figure 24 Parishioners Witnessing the Official Opening of the Anglican Cathedral. .......................................................................................................... 244 vii Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... iii Dedication ...................................................................................................................... v Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures and Sketches ......................................................................................... vii Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Purpose of Study ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Setting the Stage ...................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Area of investigation ...............................................................................................
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