Another Bishop fights to control the Anglican Diocese

Bishop Elson Madoda Jakazi of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland is seeking to revive his battle to control the diocese, a month after his Supreme Court appeal was struck off the roll.

In October, Justice Malaba struck off the notice of appeal on the basis that it was fatally defective.

He is now seeking permission to file a fresh notice of appeal out of the stipulated period.

Supreme Court judge Justice Vernanda Ziyambi yesterday heard arguments from both parties and reserved ruling on the condonation application.

Bishop Jakazi was the leader of the Manicaland Diocese until September 2007 when he wrote a letter of resignation citing differences on the alleged tolerance of homosexuality by the mother church.

CPCA accepted the resignation but Bishop Jakazi later made a U-turn and sought to nullify his resignation and withdrawal from the church.

The bid failed and the church appointed a new bishop to head the diocese.

Bishop Jakazi then filed an urgent chamber application to block the consecration of the new bishop, but Justice Chinembiri Bhunu threw out the application.

He filed a notice of appeal that was dismissed in October.

Bishop Jakazi is now seeking to revive the battle.