The Church In The News

 *THE CHURCH IN THE NEWS* 

(Churches and Clergy Making Headlines This Past Week)

September 12th, 2021

Headlines:

Of Covid-19 And Child Marriages: Indigenous Churches Taken To Task

High Court Rules Govt Decision To Bar Unvaccinated Congregants From Churches ‘Null & Void’

Clerics Meet ED

Rev Mtata's Five - Year Pilgrimage Saluted

Ancestor Christology Survey On The Cards

The News in Detail:

*Of Covid-19 And Child Marriages: Indigenous Churches Taken To Task*

Recent weeks have seen an outcry by various civic society organizations over the continuous treachery acts by some indigenous and apostolic sects who have been committing underage girls to marriage in the guise of church doctrine.

Following the death of Anna Machaya (15) who died whilst giving birth at a Marange shrine on July 15, 2021 after her parents who previously are alleged to have initially offered her nine year old sister to the perpetrator for marriage, CSOs have intensified efforts to bring a halt to the doctrine. 

As  calls to end child marriages by CSOs became louder, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) went on to arrest Hatirarami Momberume (26) and the late Anna’s parents for their role in the unjustified act.

Momberume has since appeared before Mutare Regional Magistrate Lucy Mungwari,  facing charges of murder and having sexual intercourse with a minor while Anna’s parents faced charges of obstructing the course of justice.

Civic society organizations have called for authorities to descend heavily on perpetrators and accessories to child marriages whom they have been watching break the law willy-nilly. 

Girls and Women Empowerment Network (GWEN) Trust Director, Kumbirai Kahiya said they were monitoring church activities with a watchful eye in their efforts to combat child marriages.

"We have stepped up our efforts to address the issue of child marriages through various engagements with ordinary church members and their leaders.

"Our main focus is on Christianity and African Traditional Religion (ATR) groups where we teach them about women empowerment and educate them constitutionally enshrined rights for young women," said Kahiya. 

She went on to express her displeasure with the Johanne Marange activities which are in contrast with the dictates of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

"We are not happy with what transpired at a Johanne Marange sect where a teenager died whilst giving birth. No one is above the law, everyone has to implement the law and the church must stop forced child marriages," said Kahiya.

Rudo Magwanyata Advocacy and Influence Officer at Shamwari Yemwanasikana said her organization was engaging traditional leaders and male gender champions especially in rural communities. 

"We carry out community based awareness campaigns where we include traditional leaders, councilors, Members of Parliament (MP) and churches educating them on the rights of the girl child and we also work with men and boys.

"We have realized that men can stand and be the ambassadors of the girl child rights," said Magwanyata.

Shamwari Yemwanasikana has also introduced the World's Children Prize (WCP) initiative in an effort to capacitate young girls who would  have fallen prey to sex predators to have courage to speak out and notify relevant authorities. 

Musasa Project Advocacy Officer, Rotina Musara said as part of their advocacy work, the organization has a pillar that speaks against toxic religious practices which expose young girls to child marriages. 

"As Musasa we engage with religious communities and seek to find a common ground that does not enable toxic practices in the name of faith, while violating rights of girls and women.

"We engage various stakeholders so that they understand that freedom and the right to religion is supposed to be by choice not by force," said Musara.

Amnesty International Membership Growth and Communications officer, Lucy Chivasa said   her  organization has been     assisting victims with psychological and social support.

"When we come across cases where teenage girls have been impregnated and forced into marriages we seek the intervention of law enforcement agents. We assist parents of the girl to make police report so that criminals can be arrested.

“Currently there are ongoing campaigns of which most of them are online campaigns. However, we also have seasonal campaigns, for example in December we have the Gender Based Violence (GBV) campaign," said Chivasa.

Another 13-year-old, Violet Mushati was reportedly married on July 18, three days after Anna died during a church conference at the same Marange Shrine and her whereabouts are still unknown  to date. 

The apostolic sect has been caught on the wrong side of the law many times when it comes to child marriages and it is estimated that one in four girls are married before reaching the age of 18.

Source : TellZim News

*High Court Rules Govt Decision To Bar Unvaccinated Congregants From Churches ‘Null & Void’*

Unvaccinated congregants can now attend church services and police are barred from arresting them, High Court judge David Mangota ruled, Thursday.

The ruling follows an August 27 urgent chamber application by human rights lawyer, Obert Kondongwe challenging the legality of the government’s August 11 decision to bar unvaccinated congregants from attending church services.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the public that churches can now allow sit-in congregants under the following conditions: only congregants who have received two doses of the [COVID-19] vaccine are allowed to attend,” Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced on August 11.

“And all Ministry of Health and Child Care and WHO protocols have to be adhered to. And those found in breach will be arrested including the leaders of the church.”

In his application, Obert Kondongwe, who is founder of Lawyers for Truth, Health, Justice and Freedom, through his lawyers from Mundida and Mudhara law firm, cited Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, Health minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and the Attorney General, Prince Machaya, as first, second, third and fourth respondents, respectively.

He argued the directive to stop unvaccinated congregants from attending church was not only discriminatory but illegal and unconstitutional.

In its provisional order issued today, the High Court dismissed Mutsvangwa’s statement as null and void.

“The statement issued by the 1st respondent (Mutsvangwa) on the 11th of August 2021 on behalf of Government following a Cabinet meeting on the compulsory Covid-19 vaccination of sit-in congregants in churches and barring unvaccinated sit-in congregants from churches is null and void to the extent that infringes constitutional rights and freedoms set out in the Declaration of rights under Section 51, 52, 56, 58 and 60,” said the High Court.

The Court did not give an order for costs.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the effect of the orders in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 above is to set aside the statement issued by first respondent (Mutsvangwa) on behalf of Government barring unvaccinated sit-in congregants of churches and to set aside any criminal proceedings instituted against the unvaccinated from the foregoing,” said the Court. 

Source : CITE

*CLERICS MEET ED* 

A UNITED front representing Christian churches yesterday met President Mnangagwa to establish and improve relationships between church and State and see where they can work together for the development and harmony of Zimbabwe.

The Second Republic has taken a deliberate approach to engage and re-engage, on the international front the message has been maintained, back home the President is also engaging with opposition formations. 

“It was their word to me. This was a courtesy call by all the churches together. They represent various denominations in the country. They decided to have a courtesy call on the Head of State and I accepted,” said the Presidents. 

“I was so pleased that the entire church structure in Zimbabwe has come together and would want to work with the State and Government. So we are extremely pleased that we have reached this stage where the State and the church can have dialogue and share challenges, whether these are State or Government challenges or whether these are Christian or church challenges. 

“We feel that the country is ours together. The challenges facing our people should be addressed by both sides working together. I am so pleased,” said President Mnangagwa.

The churches applauded Zimbabwe’s response to Covid-19, which had managed to minimise the death toll as well as open and resuscitate health facilities.

They were also supportive on the macroeconomic front where the economy is stabilising as well as successes in the agricultural sector and huge infrastructural development projects. 

Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi of Zion Christian Church and Bishop Emeritus Naison Shava of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe initiated the gathering of Christian leaders by establishing a relationship between the various groupings.

“We have come together as churches of all denominations with one voice. We should work together for the good of this country,” said Bishop Mutendi.

Bishop Emeritus Shava said the visit was to find a way of collaborating between the two institutions, the church and the State.

“Our task was, first to have the churches united, second to establish the relationship between the church and the State. 

“This is historical, from the orderly formation of human kind there are two institutions which have to work together that is the religious institutions and the State,” said Bishop Shava. 

Churches have worked together in matters of mutual concern for decades through the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations, as well as four groups that represent Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Apostolic traditions.

Vice chair of Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations Bishop Never Muparutsa said they applauded Government for the way it managed the Covid-19 pandemic and also talked of the importance of the amalgamation of churches.

“We have come together so that there is one voice for the church. One of the key issues we discussed here is the issue of Covid-19 where Government has done so to curtail and manage the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to deal with major issues in mutual understanding. The church and Government must respect each other because we are serving the same people,” said Bishop Muparutsa.

Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-Denominational Council of Churches Chairman Apostle Andrew Wutawunashe said people are fully behind the President, imploring the international community to remove sanctions to boost the country’s developmental trajectory.

“We want the international community to listen and to get things like sanctions out of the way. So that the President has the opportunity to build the nation because the people are behind him,” he said. 

Source - Herald

*Rev Mtata's Five Year Pilgrimage Saluted* 

Clerics from all walks of life Sunday, hailed Rev Dr. Kenneth Mtata,  for transforming the  Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) to be a force to reckon with in his five - year span at the helm of the ecumenical body.

Yesterday was Rev. Dr. Mtata's 5th anniversary at ZCC.

In an online post, Rev Mtata took time to appreciate all who made his ministry worthwhile. 

"It has been five years since I arrived at the then Harare International Airport to assume my duty as ZCC General Secretary. 

"I have learnt a lot about Organisational change management, Ecumenical Christianity and its relationship with the state, Civil society, and family life and work relationship." Said Rev Dr. Mtata.

Meanwhile Rev Dr.  Mpofu of the University of Zimbabwe heaped plaudits on Rev Mtata saying the ZCC has indeed transformed to a prophetic institution.

"A pilgrimage well undertaken! Thank you so much for your visionary leadership which has transformed the Council of Churches into being truly prophetic, pastoral and priestly in her engagement ring real estate." Said Rev Dr. Mpofu.

Rev Majaha Nhliziyo of the United Congregational Church of Christ (UCCSA) praised Rev Mtata for his ability to uplift many.

"Amhlophe GS. Thank you for the way you've executed your role especially how you've given a lift to many in the ecumenical fraternity. To God be the glory." Said Rev Nhliziyo.

Rev Soza of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) also weighed in to say he has become much wiser through Rev Dr. Mtata's influence.

"I have a lot on my bag from your leadership.

Thank you for exposing to us your God given gift of leadership." Rev Soza said.

To date the ZCC has opened regional and provincial offices around the country and is engaged in strengthening capacities of its member Churches, engendering the Church's mission, supporting communities with humanitarian work, promoting economic justice and sensitizing the Church on meaningful involvement of the disabled in Church programs.

Source : Church News

*Ancestor Christology Survey On The Cards*

Head of Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) programs Dr. Tinashe Gumbo in his personal capacity yesterday commissioned an online survey on the theology of 'Ancestor Christology'.

Dr. Gumbo said the survey intends to consult the Zimbabwean Christians from the Protestant, Catholic, Pentecostal and African Indigenous/Initiated/Independent Churches in order to gauge the usefulness (or otherwise) of calling Jesus their ancestor in the context of their own Christian background.

Said Dr. Gumbo : 

"The survey is commissioned against a  background where it is increasingly common in African Christian Theology to refer to *Jesus* as *Our  Ancestor.* 

"A considerable number of prominent African Theologians have referred to Jesus in this way. These include key Theologians from both the Protestant and Catholic background.

"The purpose of this study is to examine to what extent the theory of ancestor Christology resonates with the Zimbabwean Christians."

Since the survey is an academic exercise participation is voluntary and remains anonymous.

The survey tool takes about two to three minutes to fill.

For any feedback about the study contact Tinashe Gumbo on +263 773218860 or tinashegumbo@gmail.com.

To participate, readers are expected to use the following link;

https://ee.humanitarianresponse.info/single/65264b0d33ba64e627f2f8f383430e50

Source : Church News