The long-troubled Harare, Zimbabwe, diocese of the Anglican Church now has a new bishop with confirmation this week of Chad Nicholas Gandiya by authorities of the church’s Province of Central Africa, which includes Botswana, Zambia and Malawi as well as Zimbabwe.
Province officials elected Gandiya in May to take over from acting Bishop Sebastian Bakare, who has had running battles with ousted Bishop Norbert Kunonga, an ardent supporter of President Robert Mugabe who took Harare out of the province, which then expelled him.
Among other issues Kunonga had accused the province of condoning homosexuality, which he maintains is contrary to Biblical doctrine.
Gandiya, a former parish priest and teacher who served in Harare, told VOA he will work to foster unity among Anglicans who have been divided by fighting - at times violent - over control of church premises and other diocese assets.
Speaking for the Kunonga faction, Bishop Nicasious Chiriga said the grouping is prepared to listen to Bishop Gandiya’s proposals.
