Anglicans persecution - Bishop Bakare's statement

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH CONTINUES TO BE PERSECUTED.

Matthew 5. 10-11 “Blessed are they that are being persecuted for righteous .....”          

A - We, the Anglican Church of the Diocese of Harare (CPCA) are deeply concerned about the     continuous disruption of church services by the Police and the Army who have disregarded             High Court Orders. The High Court orders  issued, are as follows:

Judge President  Makarau. HC.345/08
Justice Karwi – HC 402/08
Justice Hungwe – HC 3208/07
Justice Guvava – HC 2259/08   

All these orders are pointing to the effect that the Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) has a legal right to access and use of the Anglican properties and premises. These orders do not give any right to the Police to interfere in the civil disputes in the Church affairs before the Court.

Regretably, all the Court orders are being disregarded by some individuals who give “orders from above”. The issue regarding properties is still pending, awaiting the final outcome in the Courts (ref. HC 6544/07).

b. The Police are supposed to be the custodians of the law but what we are experiencing as the Diocese of Harare (CPCA ) proves that they have become a law unto themselves by accepting “orders from above” . Police are supposed to uphold, protect the people of         Zimbabwe and their properties without fear or favour and not to disobey court orders. This godless behaviour displayed by the Police Officers of pulling up people who are in prayer and worship is not a true reflection of levels of lawlessness in Zimbabwe or in the Force but in individual police officers. What we are expieriencing in the Diocese of Harare CPCA indicates that Police do not only refuse to obey court orders but also show  their unacceptable bias.               

This action is godless behaviour on the part of the police who resort to beating and arresting peace loving citizens; displacing them from their places of worship and even refusing them entry to their churches.                       

Sequency of disruptions:            

On Sunday the 4th May, 2008, Holy Communion Services were disrupted through out the Diocese except for a few isolated churches in rural areas areas.  

St. Pauls Parish in Highfield: Three parishioners were seriously beaten by the Police.

St Columbus, Kuwadzana: 12 parishioners including their  Rector Fr J Matyatya were harassed and arrested.  They were held in  Police custody overnight but only to be dischrged  

On the 10th May, 2008 a couple was refused entrance to St Pauls Parish for their wedding ceremony.  The wedding was then conducted in a community hall.

On 11th May, 2008, at St Pauls Highfield, riot police numbering approximately 50 officers descended on the congregation. They ended up having their Mass at a small private residence where neighbours offered chairs but there were not enough for 800 people.

Christ Church Borrowdale: The Church Wardens forceably opened the gate which had been locked. Agressively the Police descended on the congregation before they could start the service.  The Church Warden was arrested and interrogated for approximately 2 hours only to be told to go home without being charged.  He told the Police that he was not going home but going tomchurch to pray.  Meanwhile, the few who had remained, wanting to know the fate of their Church Warden, went with him to pray in the Church without having Holy Communion.

St Francis, Waterfalls: The service was disrupted during receiving  Holy Communion.  Six women were beaten by the Police all of whom sustained injuries.  The Officer- in- Charge, Insp. Butau stood by watching his details engaged in their orgy of violence against innocent and defenceless parishioners.

St. Andrews Parish, Glenview:  The congregation had to relocate itself to a Methodist Church in the neighbourhood  after the Police had denied them access into their church premises. 

Elsewhere in the Diocese, parishioners were prevented from holding their services by the security details.  Many parishioners now wonder what the security forces have to do with our Diocese.

The recent press statement in the Herald (5/5/2008) indicating that the ex-Anglican Bishop of Harare, Dr. Kunonga had been given the sole custodianship of the Diocesan properties is not true but a gross misrepresentation of the legal position  and a distortion of the truth. 

The Diocese of Harare, of which, We are Bishop, has a legal right and has the permission of the High Court to have access to and use of the Anglican properties and premises of the Diocese.  Regretably, these orders are being ignored by some senior authorities.

The High Court case in which Dr. Kunonga lays claim to the properties has been pending since September 2007 ( H/C 6544/07).  Meanwhile, the Anglican flock of the Dioceses of Harare (CPCA) continues to be harassed by a few Priests who are no longer Anglicans or members of the Diocese including Dr. Kunonga assisted by the Police.

The Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) is not an appendex of any political party in Zimbabwe.  Dr. Kunonga is giving false information to the Police and Security Chiefs that a)  The Anglican Diocese of Harare is pro homo sexual

b)  That the Diocese of Harare supports the MDC, but the Church preaches Christ Crucified and Righteousness not party politics.c)  That the Diocese of Harare (CPCA) is an appendex of the Church of England wanting to recolonise the country. Therefore, we call upon our Ecumenical partners in the country to join us in prayer as we fight for religious freedom which is being trampled upon. 

We believe that what is happening to the Diocese of Harare, (CPCA)  is indicative of what can happen to any denomination tomorrow.  As a Christian body we understand that if one part of the body is suffering and is persecuted the whole body suffers.

Bishop Sebastian Bakare, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA)