Breakaway Anglican Church formed

MOST members of the Bishop Elson Jakazi-led Anglican Diocese of Manicaland have established a new ministry, Evangelical Anglican Church International.

Investigations this week revealed that the idea to form a breakaway church was mooted soon after the announcement of the Supreme Court ruling last month, which ruled in favour of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa.

The new church, which is headquartered at Number 29, 2nd Street in Mutare will be officially launched in Mutare on Sunday, April 21.

Members are already worshipping at Kudanana Hall in Dangamvura, Abundant Life Ministries in Chikanga, 29 Second Street and in Hobhouse high-density suburb. It has since spread to Tsonzo in Mutasa as well as Bonda, with plans to spread to other parts of the province and beyond.

Although those behind the establishment of the church remained tight-lipped this week, they produced a brief statement, which read: "This notice serves to inform various denominations, Zimbabweans and beyond that a ministry in the name Evangelical Anglican Church International has been established.

"Its headquarters are in Mutare, Manicaland at 29, 2nd Street. Evangelical Anglican Church International has already established assemblies in Dangamvura, Chikanga, Sakubva, Hobhouse, City Centre and throughout Manicaland Province."

Although actual membership figures were not readily available, more than 400 people were reported to be congregating in Dangamvura, with slightly less figures congregating in Chikanga.

Highly placed sources in the church said most priests who were aligned to Bishop Jakazi formed the backbone of the ministry, which is more into praise and worship compared to the old Anglican, whose scriptures are more like a template.

"We are getting rid of some of the things that where suffocating our worshipping. We are more into praise and worship as well as emphasizing on preaching the word of God than following set down templates. We also want those with spiritual gifts to exercise them freely without any restrictions.

"It is not that we are fighting the CPCA, but we felt that we should move on with our lives following the Supreme Court ruling that gave them the right to preside over the affairs of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland.

"We did not take all the priests on board, but after the announcement of the Supreme Court ruling, a meeting was convened where they were given a choice whether to join the new church or continue serving under the new leadership.

"Most people felt that it was better to move on with their lives following utterances by some CPCA members that there would be a cleansing ceremony where all those who were baptised and confirmed under Bishop Jakazi's leadership will be cleansed.

"Remember, we were not worship Bishop Jakazi as an individual, but God. We don't know where this cleansing talk is coming from. We cannot be forced to do the same baptism process twice. We cannot afford to have the humiliation of members of the Mothers' Union being forced to surrender their uniforms because everything was done in the spirit of the truth.

"All Anglicans and other Christians out there who want to join and fellowship with us are welcome. We have no hard feelings over the Supreme Court verdict, but we are moving on with our lives," said the source.

A standing committee is already in place to look at the best worshipping practices as well as the issues of the church's regalia.

"We cannot continue using the same Anglican regalia because if we continue doing so, then there would be no reason for us to move on to form a new ministry. It will not be a wholesome change of everything, but we will adopt what will feel of value to us," he said.