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LAKE MALAWI: High Court reinstates Bishop Mwenda

LAKE MALAWI: High Court reinstates Bishop Mwenda

by Juliet Chimwaga
NATIONONLINE
June 15, 2006

The Lilongwe High Court on Monday ruled that Bishop Leonard James Mwenda should take charge as spiritual head of the Anglican Diocese of Lake Malawi, ending a three-month wrangle over late Bishop Nyanja's successor.

Mwenda's enthronement caused divisions in the diocese, with some church members opting for British clergyman Paul Nicholas Henderson who was associated with a gay movement in the United Kingdom.

Justice Ivy Kamanga, who in February granted an injunction to a group of Anglicans restraining Mwenda from exercising his duties, revoked the injunction on Monday, advising both parties to resolve the issue at church level. "I urge the applicants and respondents to resolve their differences within their entity," said Kamanga.

"I also urge all the parties to use the principles in their church canons and constitution to resolve the case." Dean of the Cathedral Reverend Denis Kayamba said Wednesday the church has already resolved the matter.

"This means Mwenda is back in the office of the Diocesan Bishop and there is no way anyone can fight that again," he said, adding that the group erred by involving a secular court in the case.

Kayamba said the disgruntled Anglicans were still holding onto the keys for the bishop's official cars and residence in Area 47 in Lilongwe, forcing Mwenda to continue living with a relation at Biwi Township.

"Our lawyer, Manuel Theu, will write their lawyer Allan Chinula to release the keys so that the bishop can have access to his house and cars," he said.

Kayamba said Mwenda will continue performing his duties from his relation's home until the keys are brought back, adding that legal action will be taken against those keeping the keys.

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