The Anglican Province of Central Africa has removed Bishop Nolbert Kunonga of Harare and another diocesan bishop in Zimbabwe from its college of bishops.

In a statement released on Oct. 19, the Dean of the province, Bishop Albert Chama of Northern Zambia, stated that Bishop Kunonga and Bishop Elson Jakazi of Manicaland were no longer bishops of the church and the Sees of Harare and Manicaland had been declared vacant “with immediate effect.” Vicar generals would be appointed to supervise the election of new bishops, Bishop Chama wrote.

In late September, Bishop Kunonga and Bishop Jakazi each wrote to Archbishop Bernard Malango saying their dioceses had withdrawn from Central Africa in protest to what they alleged was a pro-gay bias in the province. Since then Archbishop Malango has retired. Bishop Chama is carrying out primatial responsibilities for the province until a new primate is selected.

In his letter, Bishop Chama cited the province’s constitution, noting that changes to its membership required approval by all dioceses and two-thirds approval from the provincial synod.

Despite the removal of the two bishops, recovery of diocesan property is not assured. On Oct. 21, a Zimbabwe court declined to issue an emergency injunction on behalf of the province that would have forced Bishop Kunonga, an ally of Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe, to turn over the diocesan assets. Bishop Kunonga told the state-owned Harare Herald newspaper he would fight the province for control of church property. He was quoted saying the diocese was seeking to align with the Anglican Church of Kenya, a statement that could not be confirmed with the Kenyan Church in Nairobi.

Bishop Kunonga has also gone on the offensive, writing to discontented clergy in other dioceses seeking to split them off from their bishops. In an Oct. 11 letter sent to a Botswana parish and reviewed by The Living Church, Bishop Kunonga urged the congregation to write to Bishop Chama saying it was joining Harare in leaving the province.

Bishop Kunonga’s removal relieves Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams of one dilemma related to the Lambeth Conference. Bishop Kunonga’s invitation had been withheld pending wider consultations. Bishop Jakazi had been extended an invitation to Lambeth last May, according to a spokesperson for Archbishop Williams.

(The Rev.) George Conger