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LAKE MALAWI: High Court throws out Anglican case...Let it be solved at church level
BY Anthony Kasunda
The Nation
May 26 2006
THE High Court in Lilongwe Wednesday threw out a case involving the enthronement of Bishop James Mwenda of the Diocese of Lake Malawi, saying it could be better handled by the church's court.
Judge Esmie Chombo said it could be better if Archbishop Benard Malango amicably discussed the issue with the disgruntled section of the church that is protesting Mwenda enthronement.
A priest, who was at the court and one of the people vehemently objecting Mwenda's election, confirmed Thursday the matter was thrown back to the church court of confirmation.
"It is true that Justice Chombo observed that the issue could be ably handled by the church's court," he said while declining to be mentioned.
He said the court was of the view that Archbishop Malango should meet the protesters to chart the way forward.
Judge Ivy Kamanga ruled on April 12 that the two parties should meet within 21 days to sort out the outstanding issues about the elections of the bishop to replace late bishop Peter Nyanja.
Kamanga also restrained Mwenda from discharging his duties as the bishop of the diocese and was ordered not to use official residence and offices.
Archbishop Malango Thursday refused to comment on the matter, saying he had not received any communication on the ruling.
"I haven't got any communication on that," he said.
Efforts to speak to Allan Chinula, lawyer for the disgruntled Anglicans, proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.
But the disgruntled priest added that the Anglican Council in Malawi Chancellor Justice James Kalaile and Northern Region Diocesan Chancellor Justice Leslie Ndovie had made some recommendations on the matter.
He said the stand on the issue was that Mwenda should go back to Zambia and that another Bishop in Africa should preside on the issue of elections.
"The way forward is good on our part. We have to review the whole election process," he said.
According to the group opposing Mwenda, Bishop Paul Henderson a suspected gay, was the one who was elected by the laity.
A group of Anglicans two weeks ago forced Mwenda out of the official house in Area 47 in Lilongwe and was currently putting up with relations in Biwi Township.
Copyright @ 2005 BNL Limited, Malawi
