Reports from Zimbabwe, Sudan, Congo, Egypt, China, Greece and Latin America
Zimbabwe – Anglicans returning to their property threatened by chain-wielding thugs
Reclaiming church properties has not been as easy as Anglicans in Zimbabwe had hoped with some of those trying to do so being refused entry and beaten with chains.
Writing to supporters around the Anglican Communion, Bp Chad Gandiya said that, despite a Supreme Court order recognising the cathedral as belonging to CPCA’s Diocese of Harare, excommunicated bishop, Nolbert Kunonga “did not leave willingly.”
“Yesterday Kunonga was evicted from the Diocesan Offices and Cathedral yesterday,” he wrote. “He refused to hand over three diocesan cars in his possession. He came back later with thugs with chains who started chasing people beating some (some of the guards we had hired were beaten).
“When our people reported it to the police they were shunted from one office to the other because the police said, “they were too junior to deal with the Anglican matter”. Eventually they were served and riot police were sent who arrested some of the thugs and we are grateful for that.
“Kunonga himself threatened to shoot a journalist! The thugs were drinking the potent Mozambican beer called “Zed” in the Cathedral cloisters.”
Eventually members of the Diocese of Harare, CPCA, did take possession of the diocesan offices and the cathedral.
This morning, the police initially tried to prevent Bp Chad and other Anglicans from holding a morning service in the cathedral, but they were eventually allowed in. Thanks to the use of Social Media, thousands many people turned out to worship in the cathedral – the first service there since Kunonga and his followers claimed the buildng for themselves.
There are still concerns about evictions that were supposed to be carried out today which have been halted.
“We don’t know by who and why,” Bp Chad wrote. “These are sad developments when we were prepared to move on. Preparations for our Thanksgiving service on the 16th December are going on ahead as planned. Its not over yet. Please continue to pray for us.”
The Facebook page of Anglican Harare CPCA https://www.facebook.com/AnglicanHarareCpca has been buzzing with comments and photos about congregations returning to their churches and some of the opposition faced by returning Anglicans.
Religious leaders warn of mass suffering in Sudan
Religious leaders have warned of mass suffering in Sudan’s so-called ‘Two Areas’, as bombardment intensifies and civilians become targets.
The comments came as an interfaith delegation prepared to call on the African Union to prioritise humanitarian action in the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
Response to growing crisis in eastern Congo
As the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo worsens, with thousands of people fleeing new fighting, Oxfam and other agencies are stepping up their supply of aid to more than 80,000 people in and around Goma.
The massive new displacement of people has added to what was already one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises.
More than 760,000 people have been displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of 2012, in the Kivu provinces alone, says a new report from Oxfam.
As rebels occupied the Congolese town of Goma, the Catholic aid agency CAFOD pledged £100,000 to support people fleeing to safety from the conflict.
Changes to Egyptian constitution ‘trample rule of law’, says Amnesty
New powers announced by Egypt’s President trample the rule of law and herald a new era of repression, Amnesty International says.
Amendments to Egypt’s Constitutional Declaration announced on 22 November 2012 effectively grant the president unlimited powers, preventing any legal challenge of his decisions until the election of a new lower house of parliament (People’s Assembly) next year.
Ecumenical and evangelical tributes as China’s Bishop Ting dies
Bishop K. H. Ting, a pioneer of the official post-denominational Protestant Church in China, has died on 22 November 2012, at the age of 97.
Dr Richard J. Mouw of the evangelical Fuller Seminary in the USA, wrote: “Bishop Ting’s contribution to the Chinese church has been most significant, and his legacy – through his writings and other accomplishments – will continue for generations.”
Churches challenge European Union to act in solidarity with Greece
The General Secretaries of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) have issued an open letter to the members of the European Union appealing for a just and sustainable solution to the crisis in Greece.
The letter was prepared during their visit to Greece earlier this month after visiting with government and church leaders there.
Churches meet on peace and human security in Latin America
More than thirty participants from different Latin American countries are meeting in Antigua, Guatemala for a regional consultation on peace and human security in the continent.
Organised by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), in collaboration with Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) the consultation is being held from 29 November to 2 December 2012.