The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, is hoping to ease the upheaval and violence in the Zimbabwean church in his upcoming visit there.
According to Marie Papworth, media director at the Archbishop’s office, it will be “a pastoral visit to show support for the Anglican Church there.”
The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been in a state of conflict since 2007 when Bishop Nolbert Kunonga attempted to remove the head of the Diocese of Harare in the country due to theological differences.
Kunonga was eventually excommunicated from the communion, but his close relationship with President Robert Mugabe allowed him to take control of various church properties.
A court ruling recently granted Kunonga authority over various Anglican church properties, but he has apparently chosen violent methods to remove priests and worshippers from the properties, according to The Anglican Journal.
In a press release from the Diocese, the violence was detailed.
"Clergy and members of the laity belonging to the Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) across Harare, Mashonaland West, East and Central have been receiving threats, constant harassment and lately severe beatings from Kunonga's hooligans, masquerading as clergy, accompanied by 'certainly hired thugs,’” the press release stated.
"The latest casualty is Reverend Jonah Mudowaya who was severely assaulted in Chinhoyi on Wednesday 24 August."
The current bishop in charge of the Zimbabwean Anglican Communion, Chad Gandiya, said police in the country have been aiding Kunonga and leaving some with no place to worship.
"There are parishioners being banned from church buildings by Kunonga with help of the police,” Gandiya informed the Harare Daily News. “They are worshipping in open spaces, under trees or booking other church buildings."