Co-Ministers of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration have gotten involved in the long-running dispute in the Harare Anglican Church, but have not obtained the cooperation of the former Anglican Bishop of Harare Nolbert Kunonga, sources said Monday.
Sekai Holland, John Nkomo and Gibson Sibanda tried to persuade Kunonga to allow parishioners loyal to the official Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa to hold Easter services in buildings that he and his supporters continue to control with help from the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
But Kunonga is said to have told them that anyone who wanted to celebrate Easter in a Harare church would have to attend his services. Official church leaders in response organized a Good Friday mass in Africa Unity Square in downtown Harare.
Father Paul Gwese of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira that the atmosphere remains tense following the ministerial intervention.
Bishop Alfred Munyanyi, speaking for Kunonga, said the faction won't take orders from ministers in its fight to retain control of the church and its property.
