Archbishop to rule on Bishop Kunonga trial

By Lance Guma

05 December 2005

Bypassing canon law, the Archbishop of Central Africa Bernard Malango has said he will not appoint a judge to try Harare Anglican Bishop, Nolbert Kunonga. Following the withdrawal of a Malawian judge in the ecclesiastic trial early in the year, Malango says he is now going to rule in the matter by himself. The move is sure set to enrage parishioners who have long doubted his fairness in handling the matter. Bishop Kunonga is accused of threatening parishioners with death, misusing church funds and firmly backing Robert Mugabe’s violent land seizure amongst 38 other charges.

Archbishop Malango says he has a copy of a report from his own officials on the matter and would rule based on those submissions. He pointed out that the church’s Provincial Registrar was not happy with the process that led to squabbles between the prosecution and the defence. He criticised the prosecution in particular for not following proper procedure. Malango says the trial was meant to submit recommendations to him for a ruling and he could still do this irrespective.

Bishop Kunonga is accused of inciting members of the Central Intelligence Organisation and war veterans to kill 10 prominent Anglicans including priests and churchwardens. The charge was temporarily withdrawn after he refused to answer to evidence submitted via video link as the key witness, Father James Mukunga fled to the UK soon after being abducted and beaten up.

If found guilty Kunonga can be expelled, defrocked or just merely reprimanded. He also has the right to appeal within the global community of the Anglican Church if the Church of Central Africa finds him guilty. Archbishop Bernard Malanga, head of the Church in Central Africa, had initially appointed Malawian Supreme Court Judge James Kalaile to hear the case with Zambian bishops Leonard Mwenda and Albert Chama assisting.