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LAKE MALAWI: Anglicans to consecrate controversial new bishop

LAKE MALAWI: Anglicans to consecrate controversial new bishop
Archbishop Malango says issues still remain unresolved

by Bright Sonani
THE NATIONAL ONLINE
September 23, 2005

The Lake Malawi Diocese of the Anglican Church has started preparations for the consecration of its controversial Bishop-elect despite a stand off between the Central African Province and the new Bishop over homosexuality and gay accusations.

Diocese Vicar General Bernard Nkokholo on Wednesday confirmed that the preparations for the consecration of Nicholas Henderson have started and said the accusations were a closed chapter. "The correspondents which were there between the Bishop and the Archbishop have been completely finalised. This is why people are going ahead with the preparations. It is closed," said Nkokholo.

He said what was remaining now was for the Provincial Head Archbishop Bernard Malango to set dates for the sitting of a Court of Confirmation which involves Bishops from all the Dioceses of the Province.

But in a separate interview, the Bishop's Chaplain Brighton Malasa, who was speaking on behalf of Malango currently in Tanzania, said as far as the province was concerned the issue of Henderson was not yet through. "The issue still stands, it is not yet resolved," he said. Malasa said the Archbishop would soon call for a Court of Confirmation where, he said, the aggrieved members of the Lake Malawi Diocese are also expected to be heard.

"These people have the right to be heard before a decision but those who have complaints are supposed to appear in person before the Court of Confirmation," he said. Homosexuality and gay accusations concerning the new Bishop forced Malango to put his confirmation on hold until investigations were through.

Henderson has been revealed to be an active member of liberal Modern Church People's Union (MCU), which advances and defends homosexuality and gay beliefs in the Anglican Church. Reports indicate that some priests in Lake Malawi Diocese are favouring the new Bishop because of his 'heavy' monetary assistance which he has been giving to the Diocese in the 18 years he has been connected to the Diocese through the late Bishop Peter Nyanja who was the overseer of the Diocese.

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