*THE CHURCH IN THE NEWS*
(Churches And Clergy Making Headlines This Past Week)
October 16th, 2021
Headlines:
👉🏻‘It’s Not Satanism’: Church Leaders Preach Vaccines
👉🏻Adios to a Lemba scion
👉🏻Pastor Convenes Menstrual Health Workshop
👉🏻Supreme Court Nullifies Paul Mwazha Son Power Grab
👉🏻ZCC Church Appeals For Broadcasting Licence
The News In Detail :
*‘It’s Not Satanism’: Church Leaders Preach Vaccines*
Yvonne Banda stands in front of a church congregation, all in pristine white robes, and tells them not to believe what they’ve heard about Covid-19 vaccines.
“The vaccine is not linked to Satanism,” she says.
The congregants, members of a Christian Apostolic church in the southern African nation of Zimbabwe, are unmoved. But when Banda, a vaccine campaigner and member of an Apostolic church herself, promises them soap, buckets, and masks, there are enthusiastic shouts of “Amen!”
Apostolic groups that infuse traditional beliefs into a Pentecostal doctrine are among the most skeptical in Zimbabwe when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines, with an already strong mistrust of modern medicine. Many followers put faith in prayer, holy water, and anointed stones to ward off disease or cure illnesses.
The congregants Banda addressed in the rural area of Seke sang about being protected by the holy spirit, but have at least acknowledged soap and masks as a defense against the coronavirus. Banda is trying to convince them to also get vaccinated — and that’s a tough sell.
Congregation leader Kudzanayi Mudzoki had to work hard to persuade his flock just to stay and listen to Banda speak about vaccines.
“They usually run away, some would hide in the bushes,” he said.
There has been little detailed research on Apostolic churches in Zimbabwe but UNICEF studies estimate it is the largest religious denomination with around 2.5 million followers in a country of 15 million.
The conservative groups adhere to a doctrine demanding that followers avoid medicines and medical care and instead seek healing through their faith.
Conversely, Tawanda Mukwenga, another religious Zimbabwean, welcomed his vaccination as a means of allowing him to worship properly.
Mukwenga recently attended Mass at the Roman Catholic cathedral in the capital, Harare, his first in-person Sunday Mass in 10 months after the pandemic closed churches and forced services online. Zimbabwe has reopened places of worship, though worshippers must be vaccinated to enter.
“Getting vaccinated has turned out to be a smart idea,” said Mukwenga, delighted to celebrate Mass at the cathedral again.
More than 80% of Zimbabweans identify as Christian, according to the national statistics agency, but the contrasty in attitudes displayed by the Seke Apostolic members and Mukwenga means there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to convincing hesitant religious citizens to get vaccinated.
While mandates — a blunt no vaccine, no entrance rule — is the way to go for some, there’s a subtler approach for the Apostolic and other anti-vaccine Pentecostal groups, partly, but not only, because they are deeply suspicious of vaccines.
Apostolic groups generally have no formal church premises and members, striking in the long white robes they wear to services, worship outdoors in open scrubland or hillsides, in locations widely spread across the country.
That makes gatherings much harder to police and mandates almost impossible to enforce.
Banda is one of nearly 1 000 members of various religious groups recruited by the Zimbabwean government and UNICEF to try gently changing attitudes toward vaccines from within their own churches.
“We have to cajole them,” Banda said of her fellow Apostolic churchgoers. “Bit by bit they finally accept.”
But it’s rarely a quick conversion.
“We are accepting that the Holy Spirit may not be enough to deal with the virus,” Seke Apostolic leader Mudzoki said. “We are seriously considering vaccines because others have done it. But our members have always been wary of injections.
“So for now we need soap, buckets, sanitizers, and masks,” he said. “Those are the things that will help protect us.”
Churches have taken steps to address hesitancy in other parts of Africa. The United Methodist Church, based in the United States, plans to use a mass messaging platform to send text messages to the cellphones of around 32 000 followers in Ivory Coast, Congo, Liberia, and Nigeria. The initial aim is to dispel disinformation.
“There’s quite a bit of messaging centered around reaffirming for people that the vaccine is safe, that it’s been tested,” said Ashley Gish of United Methodist Communications. “The ingredients are safe for use in humans and will not make you magnetic — that was a huge one that we heard from a lot of people.”
Gish said her church plans to send out more than 650 000 messages with a “pro-vaccine bias.” But the program will roll out over a few months in a process of “Covid sensitisation” and the church is not demanding followers get the vaccine immediately, Gish said.
While slow and steady might be best in dealing with some religious hesitancy, the situation is urgent in Africa, which has the world’s lowest vaccination rates. Zimbabwe has fully vaccinated 15% of its population, much better than many other African nations but still way behind the U.S. and Europe.
So Banda and her fellow campaigners ared adaptable if it means changing attitudes a little bit quicker.
One problem they’ve encountered is stigmatization. Some church members are willing to get vaccinated, but don’t because they fear being ostracized by peers and leaders.
The phenomenon led to campaigners advising the government not to bring mobile clinics to secluded Apostolic groups like the one in Seke, fearing that a public show of vaccinations would do more harm than good.
Instead, vaccine campaigners who normally advocate for openness sometimes encourage secrecy.
Alexander Chipfunde, an Apostolic member and vaccine campaigner who works alongside Binda, told the Seke congregants there was a way to avoid stigmatization.
“Go to the hospital, get vaccinated, and keep quiet about it,” he said to them.
“It’s your secret.” _
Source : Associated Press
*Adios to a Lemba scion*
By Burzil Dube
A sombre atmosphere hung over the Lemba community following the recent death and interment of Reverend Raphael Tangawamira whose immeasurable deeds within Mberengwa district and nation at large will continue to be felt till eternity.
The senior Lutheran Church clergy man died on September 27 after a long battle with cancer of the liver and his burial, three days later, in Msume, Mberengwa was attended by multitudes of mourners including Local Government minister, July Moyo among other prominent individuals in the country’s political and religious divide.
His unifying deeds did not elude him even when the chips were down, but were exuded even when the casket was being lowered to his final resting place.
Various speakers paid homage to Tangawamira who once headed Chegato High School for more than 10 years and managed to place the institution among top 100 schools in Zimbabwe whose pass rate left other schools gaping in awe.
One such speaker was Takavafira Zhou whose eulogy concerning his fellow Lemba tribesman is currently trending on social media groups and continues to inspire communities to always cherish the works and ideals of this Lemba scion.
Yours Truly, has been given the nod by Zhou to reproduce his eulogium for the benefit of various followers of this column, which in the past ‘extensively’ covered aspects on how this tribe (Lemba/VaRemba) are considered to be part of the biblical Jews who migrated from the Middle East to present day Southern Africa.
Herewith is part of the abridged version of Zhou’s eulogy.
“Reverend Tangawamira was a pillar of strength in the Lutheran Church and as a family man. He is the only Lemba to have taught and headed all Lutheran Church secondary schools in Mberengwa, viz, Mnene, Msume, Masase and Chegato.
“He was born on 14 June 1949 in a Lemba, Madi family of Mberengwa. As was the case with many Lemba boys then, he was a herdboy and delayed schooling,”
Zhou went on to state that the late Lemba scion decided to join pastorhood within the church.
He also joined the education sector after completing his university education and later became a graduate teacher at Msume Secondary in the early 1980s.
Thus became his epic movement to various Lutheran Church administered secondary schools within Mberengwa district.
“On his burial day, I want to remind all and sundry that he fulfilled the Lemba-Lutheran Church colonial agreement. After Lemba resistance on sending their children to Mnene to receive education because of fear of them eating meat not kosher killed, an agreement was made to build schools specifically for the Lemba. Schools such as Msume, Chegato and Masase were constructed.
“Reverend Tangawamira navigated our agreement and legacy, a legacy that has been respected by current headmasters and reverends at the respective schools.
“Indeed he was a father to many of us, an advisor, mentor of great repute, an educationist with untramelled energy or strong will power, a farmer whose family never starved despite the arid region of Mberengwa.
“He was a brother to many, a dependable colleague in fighting against the trenches of folly and ignorance , a reputable reverend and a great Lemba leader.
“Go well Mushavi Madi, our father for you fought a good battle in your life time and in the process inspired many who would continue to exude your inspiration and channel their pent up forces and anger to meaningful direction.
“We will continue to cherish your works and inspiration Reverend, Mushavi, Madi.
Va Mupfure,
Va Gato,
Va Gokomere,
Va Sakuringwa,
Vakaringa mukadzi
vakamubaira n’ombe,
VaChikomo Chimwe,
Chigara Homba (brave men),
Chisingagari marume matyi (cowards),
Vamushava n’ombe,
Kushava rumbudzi mukadzi unofa,
Vari Pusela,
Vari Boronwenje,
Jerera Ra Madi,
Nevari Vuhindi,
NeMapakomhere,
In a crisp interview with Yours Truly, Zhou went on to state that the late Tangawamira was indeed a man of the people whose untired efforts would continue to be engraved within the Lemba community.
“To the best of my knowledge, he was a shrewd headmaster who believed in justice, perseverance, hardwork and discipline as the basis of success. He was firm but fair, ready to listen to students’ concerns but more concerned with good performance at the school and discipline.
“He was father figure to students who would take his time to talk to students, counsel them, encourage them to be disciplined and work hard in order to succeed.”
Fare thee well Lemba scion.
His name deserves to be inscribed in the Lemba Hall of Fame till we meet again in the next column.
Comments always welcome on: dubebasill@gmail.com or Twitter@DubeBurzil
Source : The Standard
*Pastor Convenes Menstrual Health Workshop*
By Sydney Barson
Founder and visionary of the Lupane - based
Zimbabwe Education Fund Trust (ZIMEFU) Pastor Gibson Mwinde is convening a one -day virtual menstrual hygiene workshop on the 13th of November, _The Church News_ has learnt.
ZIMEFU aims to support all children especially orphans and vulnerable girls with school stationary, uniforms and pads.
The organisation has partnered with an international company Pad Up Zimbabwe to train stakeholders on making reusable pads.
"The workshop will discuss the impact of reusable pads in rural communities, highlight the impact of educating girls and women in menstrual hygiene and evaluate how the reusable pads training conducted by Zimefu Trust benefitted the Ngozi Mine Community." said Pastor Gibson Mwinde.
Running from 1400hrs to 1600hrs the workshop will be moderated by one Tafadzwa Makoni and speakers will include
Ms Chiedza Chagaka from Econet, Mrs Nomathamsanqa Ndlovu a health Practioner, Ms Amanda Mabutho from Rotaract Club of Matopos and Pastor Mwinde himself.
"lnvitation is extended to NGOs, churches, government departments, clubs, companies, associations, and individuals who may want to sponsor their Communities in this initiative." added Mwinde.
There is a small registration fee payable via merchant account *151*2*2*011769*200# (Zimbabwe Education Fund Trust) Participants are advised to send their proof of payment to +263776128487 or +263777248253.
Source - Church News
*Supreme Court Nullifies Paul Mwazha Son Power Grab*
The Supreme Court has upheld, in part, High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi’s ruling, which nullified the self-appointment of Bishop Alfred Mwazha to lead the African Apostolic Church founded by his father Paul Mwazha due to old age.
In delivering their ruling, Supreme Court judges Justices Susan Mavangira, Tendai Uchena and George Chiweshe said that the High Court’s decision be upheld as the note supposedly written by Paul Mwazha did not specifically name Alfred as the successor. Justice Mavangira said
With regards to the second ground of appeal the court a quo ruled, correctly in our view, which the handwritten note presented to it in order to prove that the Archbishop had chosen the first appellant as his successor was silent on the issue.
The learned judge a quo analysed the text of this note and came to the inevitable conclusion that there was nothing in it which spoke to the nomination of anyone (let alone the first appellant) as the successor to the Archbishop.
The learned Judge a quo cannot be faulted in that regard. For that reason, the second ground of appeal stands to be dismissed.
Justice Mavangira further ruled that the church’s constitution stipulates that the Council of Bishops cannot choose a successor to the Archbishop unless he is absent “by apology, illness or death.” She said:
I agree with the appellants that clause 9.2.2 of the constitution can only be invoked in the event that the Archbishop is absent “by apology, illness or death.”
It is only then that the Council of Bishops (the Priesthood Council), acting in terms of clause 9.2.2, can sit and deliberate on the question of succession.
Without therefore having made a finding as to the incapacity of the Archbishop the learned Judge erred and misdirected himself in granting an order for the invocation of clause 9.2.2. For that reason, this is a case in which the appeal succeeds in part.
According to the court papers, Alfred had publicly announced himself as the successor to Archbishop Paul Mwazha and purported to have taken over the reins of the Church, jettisoning his aged and ailing father.
Ernest Mhambare, who is a Reverent in the church, had approached High Court last year seeking to nullify the appointment, arguing that Alfred had attempted to usurp the position.
The application was granted by Justice Chitapi who ruled that Paul Mwazha would retain his position as the Archbishop, prompting Alfred and his brothers to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.
Source : State Media
*ZCC Church Appeals For Broadcasting Licence*
The Government has pledged to assist the ZCC Mutendi Church to acquire a broadcasting licence for one of its educational colleges as part of ongoing efforts to take broadcasting services to the people in line with Vision 2030.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa last week said Government would also assist some schools under the ZCC Mutendi Church with access to internet connectivity to enhance learning.
Most schools around the country have access to internet owing to a deliberate policy by Government to make sure internet services are accessible to enhance learning through use of information communication technology.
However, some schools in remote parts are still grappling with connectivity challenges, making it difficult to use ICTs, especially during Covid-19 lockdown periods.
ZCC Mutendi Church runs Mutendi High School in Bikita, Hebron High School in Mwenezi, Sainos Engenus Agricultural College in Karoi and Samuel Centenary Academy in Harare.
The church appealed to Government for a broadcasting licence.
Speaking at Mbungo Estates last Friday during the launch of a women empowerment programme held under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches -Women Empowerment (ZIIWE), Minister Mutsvangwa promised to engage the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) to look into ZCC Mutendi’s request.
“I have been approached with a request for a broadcasting licence for a college owned by this church, and as Government we are opening up the airwaves to more players including issuing campus radio broadcasting licences,” she said.
“So, I will definitely take the matter up with BAZ so that they can also consider you when issuing campus radio licences.”
Government is also installing more transmitters to improve access to radio and television services in remote parts of the country under the digitisation programme, which will create room for more players in broadcasting.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted that internet connectivity remained a challenge in some parts of the country and promised to engage the relevant ministry to ensure some ZCC Mutendi-owned schools get connectivity.
Hebron High School has been failing to use its computers to enhance learning because of lack of internet connectivity.
It is one of the biggest learning institutions in Mwenezi district.
Besides schools, ZCC Mutendi Church runs several other projects in agriculture that help generate income for the church, while also contributing to national food security.
Source : Herald
No comments:
Write comments