Anglican Church 'does not and will not accept homosexuals': Archbishop

THE head of the Anglican Church in the Central Africa Province, Archbishop Albert Chama, said his church does not accept gay practices.

The Central Africa Province consists of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.

Archbishop Chama, who is based in Zambia and is on a visit to the country, said this yesterday when he presided over the Order of Epiphany at St John's Cathedral in Bulawayo. He said the church was not going to reverse its position on same sex marriages.

The Order of Epiphany service is when the church recognises the great work of individuals in its ranks who had sacrificed a lot in peace building and community.

Speaking after the three hour service, Archbishop Chama said his church did not support homosexuals as this was an unacceptable practise.

"The Anglican Church of the Central Africa province does not and will not accept homosexuals and that is our stand as Central Africa Province. We only have pastoral responsibilities towards them that are to counsel, care and pray for them," said Archbishop Chama.

He said such people were humans who were made in the image of God and whom they would continue to love and pray for as a church but never accept what they were doing.

"The homosexuals are humans created in the image of God and the only thing we can do for them is to pray and care for them," said Archbishop Chama.

He said the work done by the three individuals, Mr Mike Moyo, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo and Mrs Diana Mkhulunyelwa who were honoured during the service for their outstanding work for the church was excellent as the communities had benefited.

The three were involved in humanitarian works such as water provision, construction of roads and churches in the rural communities in the Matabeleland region.

"This is the highest honour that anyone in this church can ever have and I came all the way from Zambia to congratulate these fellow brethren. The work that they have done over the past years proves that the church is able to take care of the needy while preaching the gospel," said Archbishop Chama.

Recently President Mugabe made it clear when he met  Archbishop of Canterbury and central figure in the Anglican Communion Dr Rowan Williams that homosexuality was against morals, cultural values and Christian teachings.

He criticised sections of the Anglican Church, which condoned homosexuality.

The Anglican Church has been split over the issue of homosexuality with some members leaving the church.

The statement from President Mugabe came after reports that some members of the church had left because of its acceptance of homosexuality.

Archbishop Nolbert Kunonga is one of the members that reportedly left the church of the Province of Central Africa over its allaged acceptance of homosexuality and now heads the Independent Province of Zimbabwe.

He recently demonstrated with members of his church outside the Anglican Cathedral Church in Harare against the presence of Dr Williams.

He encouraged members of his church to protest against Dr Williams' stance on homosexuality and questioned the logic of inviting Dr Williams if people did not condone homosexuality.

He said Dr Williams erred by accepting homosexuality, which has broken up the church.

Dr Williams on the other hand recently stated in a press conference that homosexuality was indeed a problem within the church.

The crisis over homosexuality deepened in 2003 when two openly gay men in England and the United States became candidates for bishop. In the Episcopal Church in the USA, Gene Robinson was elected and consecrated Bishop of New Hampshire, becoming the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion.