NA: What is really the problem?

MALANGO: It's just a question of people having different opinions.

NA: How do you intend to solve the problem once and for all?

MALANGO: We will first of all ask the bishops to talk to those that are for Nick Henderson and those that are for Mwenda as a way to find a solution to their differences. I think things will be OK because now the people understand that what is happening is not good for the church. They are also tired of the fracas that has been going on. We have to meet and eventually call for an emergency synod, which will elect members of the election assembly [for a new bishop] Those will have to meet at a later stage to elect a new bishop for the diocese.

NA: Did you consult widely before telling bishop Mwenda to return to Zambia?

MALANGO: We consulted all the bishops in the country and some from Zambia. We met some of them and said that we were giving the bishop very difficult time, because he was retired and when we invited him here we thought the issues would be resolved amicably. But you have heard of people in Nkhotakota trying to fight. Some members tried to remove the bishop when he was preaching. This was quite unhealthy, so we decided that we should let him (Mwenda) go back home to give us time to sort out this. There are fears that whoever replaces Mwenda and Henderson will still face problems from the two factions. What gives you confidence that things will be OK?

The bishop of a diocese is a provincial bishop and being a provincial bishop he has to be accepted by both parties. One the new bishop is elected the court of confirmation will have to meet to confirm that person. If they elect someone with the incarnation of same sex relationships then I don't think they will accept it. But I am not saying that the bishop should not be a white fellow or black fellow. What I am saying is that when they elect a bishop they should elect someone who will be accepted by the province as well as the diocese.

NA: What do you think is the reason for some members to be in favour of a white bishop?

MALANGO: The Diocese of Lake Malawi had one bishop for almost 27 years. This was quite unusual because normally a bishop stays for 10 years or less. The bishop had his strong points. He may have his weak points also. But it would be sad for people to believe that a white bishop can do better than a black bishop. If the Diocese of Lake Malawi wants a white bishop I cannot say no to that. But they should have a person who is accepted by both parties.

NA: There are reports that Henderson used to send a lot of money and those who do not want him as bishop of the diocese are afraid tat he might expose the people that abused his money. What do you have to say?

MALANGO: That's a blue lie. Nick Henderson was not known by bishops in Malawi. I only met him when [late] Bishop [Peter] Nyanja was ill in Britain. I met him for a few hours. There is no bishop in Malawi who has received any money from Henderson. So there is no person he can expose.

NA: Is it true that Bishop Mwenda is Malawian but has stayed for a long time in Zambia?

MALANGO: Yes Bishop Mwenda was born at Likoma Island but he left the country in the 1960s and studied law and theology in Zambia. He was elected bishop of Lusaka. It's true he was born in Malawi but he has a Zambian citizenship.

NA: There are also reports that the Harare Diocese, which falls under you, has also problems. What does this mean to you as the leader?

MALANGO: The Diocese of Harare has had problems because of Zimbabwe's land reform programme. Quite a number of the white farmers whose farms were repossessed by the government happened to be Anglicans. They became bitter when their land was repossessed. Some went to England others are still there because they accepted to remain with a small portion of their land. The problems in that diocese started when their bishop Made a statement that president Mugabe had done well to grab the land from the white to distribute to the landless. The whites took offence. So it's like there is a war between white and black Anglicans. I am having difficult times because of this. It's very unfortunate.

NA: I hear you have one and a half years to retire. In what situation would you like to leave the church?

MALANGO: I want the church to be intact. For example, now we are working hard to have the province divided into three. We want to have the province of Malawi, the province of Zambia and the province of Zimbabwe. This will take a bit of time because we have to follow procedure. The council that approves establishment of a province will meet in 2009. But I'll not wait until that time to retire. What I would like to say now is that I have issued a circular to all the dioceses in which I have recommended a period of prayer, dialogue and reflection. I am calling on all Anglicans in the Diocese of Lake Malawi and outside to commit themselves to the process this dialogue for the betterment of the church.

END

http://www.nationmalawi.com/articles.asp?articleID=17694