USPG reports Zimbabwe court has good news for Anglicans.
Anglicans in Zimbabwe are celebrating a favourable court ruling that will give back the legal ownership of church properties.
Ex-communicated bishop Dr Nolbert Kunonga and his colleagues have taken control of Anglican properties in the Dioceses of Harare and Manicaland, forcing Anglican congregations to worship in the open air or in borrowed or rented buildings.
But, today, Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court ruled that properties in Manicaland should be returned to the Anglican Church. And a decision on Harare will be made in three months…
And Bishop Chad Gandiya sent the following message:
Warm greetings from very hot Harare! I want to thank you all very much for your prayers.
Our Supreme Court hearing took place this morning (from 9.30am to close to 13pm), and finished all the matters.
Most of the Kunonga appeals including that of Manicaland [claims on Anglican property in the Diocese of Manicaland], were thrown out. So, for Manicaland, we go back to Justice Bhunu’s judgement, which was in our favour (congratulations to Bishop Julius Makoni of Manicaland!).
The Harare matter was heard and the judges reserved judgement. They will notify us in due course (within three months I am told).
I am very pleased that it’s over so quickly. It went very well and we are happy the way it went.
This does not mean for you stop praying. Please continue to pray as the judges write down their judgement.
The end is in sight now. Praise God!’
Other news reports:
ZimEye History as Bishop Kunonga loses multiple High Court cases
SW Radio Africa via AllAfrica Zimbabwe: Court Rejects Kunonga Appeals in Anglican Property Row
My heart goes out to Bishop Chad and his people … but I would counsel restraint and caution in any celebrations at the result of this case so far. It is most unlikely that Nolbert Kunonga will give up his violent hold on the Diocese of Harare whatever court judgement there may be.
God be praised.
This sounds like a good result for the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe – if the Mugabe regime allows the judgement to be enforced. ‘There is many a slip between cup and lip’, and the President of Zimbabwe doesn’t give up easily. My prayers for Bishop Chad and his people.
TBTG! 😀
I agree with Fr Ron: it’s great news – if it sticks.
We have been praying but as they say ‘no matter how long the night is the day is sure to come’. Let us not celebrate the ‘fall’ of Kunonga. It will be unchristian but let us celebrate what the Lord has done. In our prayer let us pray for Kunonga to repent and be restored.
We continue to support Bishop Chad in prayer as he leads the people of God in Harare.
Praise be to God, no more bishop kunonga and jakazi. what goes around will always come around. Lets celebrate we suffered a lot at the hands of these self proclaimed bishops. Let them know that there is a living God up there. Musadherere C.P.C.A.