The Southwark Cathedral - Zimbabwe Link

Like most Anglican dioceses in England, the Diocese of Southwark has a strong overseas partnership link with another part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Southwark’s link is with the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe, which is part of the Anglican Province of Central Africa.

For many years the three Episcopal Areas in Southwark were linked to three Anglican dioceses in Zimbabwe. Strong friendships have grown through mutual prayer, visits and practical support.

In 2002 the new Diocese of Masvingo was created out of the over-large existing dioceses. Starting from practically nothing, Bishop Godfrey Tawonezvi has built up a diocesan network of well-trained priests, lively and growing churches, excellent schools and training centres and exciting development projects. But Masvingo was without an English partner diocese. In 2009, Southwark Cathedral Chapter decided to offer to partner the emergent diocese.

Since then we have developed a strong relationship with Bishop Godfrey, who was able to attend the Bishop of Southwark’s enthronement here in March 2011, and four members of the Cathedral Link Group made an initial week-long visit to Masvingo soon afterwards. The Cathedral has been able to assist with the building of an ante-natal clinic in a rural area, to support clergy and lay training in the diocese and is in the process of helping to bring water to a development project.

Until 2011, the Diocese of Masvingo remained largely untroubled by the government-backed interference and persecution inflicted in the northern dioceses of Harare and Manicaland by the excommunicated former bishop of Harare, Nolbert Kunonga.  Despite being disowned by the Anglican Province of Central Africa, Mr Kunonga’s bullying and brutality, backed by police, army and security forces, has led to violence, intimidation and the theft of property, buildings and churches belonging to the Anglican Church. Bishops have no access to their cathedrals, congregations wanting to worship in their own churches are beaten and arrested, diocesan schools, hospitals and offices have been stripped of their assets or sold. As a result of a series of court judgements by judges who are either pro-Mugabe or simply frightened, there has been no means of legal redress.

And during the summer of 2011, the troubles have spread further south into Masvingo, with Kunonga first claiming ownership of diocesan schools and churches and then getting a court judgement to back him.

While the current regime remains in power, there seems little likelihood of justice for the oppressed Anglicans of Zimbabwe.   (See Facebook ‘I’m standing with Zimbabwe’s Anglicans’)

Our support is therefore more vital than ever. At Southwark Cathedral we pray daily for our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe and have a huge map on the wall of the Cathedral where many people come to pray and light a candle.  

The Diocese of Masvingo now has a website which can be found at www.masvingo.anglican.org