VirtueOnline: What is the current situation in Central Africa, Archbishop?

Malango: First of all, let me say the province is intact. We have not fallen apart or cracked up as one African newspaper reported we had. However, we have decided that come January of 2008 we will become three new provinces and we have set the wheels in motion to do that.

VirtueOnline: When will this take place?

Malango: After all the bishoprics have new bishops, including my own - the Diocese of Upper Shire. According to the canons, the dioceses must be filled first. They will elect a new bishop after I have gone. Another diocese needs a new bishop. Constitutionally, there cannot be a new archbishop until they are both filled.

VirtueOnline: Now that you have retired who is running the province?

Malango: Bishop Albert Chama. He is the new dean of the province following his election. He is a good man. I personally trained him.

VirtueOnline: Was Bishop Trevor Mwamba of Botswana fired as Dean of the Province?

Malango: No. He was simply not re-elected, and there is little likelihood he will now become the new archbishop of the province because of his liberal views.

VirtueOnline: Was there an attempt to separate Harare (and the Bishop of Botswana) from the province?

Malango: Yes, Harare wanted to pull out and the Bishop of Botswana, Trevor Mwamba, tried to do that, but it was not acceptable to the other bishops and clergy. He failed. The Province of Central Africa remains intact.

VirtueOnline: Who and what geographic areas will constitute the new provinces?

Malango: Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia.

VirtueOnline: Will they all be conservative?

Malango: Yes, even though one has three liberal clergy.

VirtueOnline: Do you see the Bishop of Botswana trying to make his own moves out of Central Africa?

Malango: Yes. He will try and unite with the [liberal] Province of Southern Africa. He is welcome to go.

VirtueOnline: Are you upset about what has happened in the waning months of your episcopacy?

Malango: The only thing that has upset me has been the new developments coming at the last moment which has made me very sad. I built up the province. I consecrated 12 bishops, three of them I sent them to college, ordained them as deacons and priests and consecrated them as bishops. What has happened since has been a bit of a disappointment.

VirtueOnline: Can you be more specific?

Malango: My disappointment is that one young man, now a former dean (Mwamba) got ideas that are not in line with my own thinking which as you know are very orthodox and conservative. His liberal ideas were quite disappointing coming at the end of my ministry.

VirtueOnline: In your view does Nickie Henderson, the pro-gay vicar of All Saints' Ealing, have a chance of being the next Bishop of Lake Malawi?

Malango: No he does not. Money has been used to destroy the Lake Malawi diocese. Henderson has poured tens of thousands of pounds into the diocese in order to buy a bishopric. It has been my desire that money should not control the situation but The Christian Faith alone. We have all agreed that Lake Malawi should go on as Lake Malawi and that going to Provincial court is not acceptable. We are going to have an elective assembly and diocesan synod and have members who are in the Electoral College put in place who will decide.

VirtueOnline: What is the process of having three new provinces?

Malango: We need to send delegations to three dioceses with an announcement that we have done our homework with regard to the constitutions and canons that must be formulated in the three countries. We must then wait for the Anglican Consultative Council to meet in 2009. They must send delegates to check on any liabilities and also to assess the financial situation, strength and viability of the three new provinces. A lot of work needs to be done.

VirtueOnline: Would you like to speculate on who will replace you as archbishop? Who are the contenders?

Malango: No. That must be done by the bishops and clergy. I would not want to interfere with that process. I am 64 and will be 65 in January when retirement is mandatory.

VirtueOnline: Will you go to Lambeth 2008?

Malango: No. But all the bishops of the province will be going.

VirtueOnline: Thank you, Archbishop

END