Bishop Makundi breaks silence with persecution claims

by Daniel Sabuni and Staff Writer

The Anglican Sovereign for the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro, Bishop Simon Makundi, who is reported to be the key player in the on-going St. James Parish controversy has finally broken the silence claiming that he is being victimized.

Speaking at a special confirmation mass in Babati last Sunday, the bishop said that although he had already "repented" about his earlier stand on the use of condoms, people still wanted to persecute him.

Makundi made these claims after church elders of the Babati Anglican Parish of Manyara, pleaded with him to end the long standing conflict between the bishop and members of the Kaloleni-based, St. James Parish.

In their official report to the press this week, church elders of St. James Anglican Parish stated that, the bishop’s comments, which were issued during the Anglican Youth Convention held at Olmotonyi Forestry Institution of Arumeru in July 2001, whereby Makundi advised his brethren to use condoms to protect themselves from HIV-AIDS, were the main causes of the conflict.

So far, Christendom denominations believe that, the promotion of condom usage fuels adultery and this is against the church’s doctrine.

"How comes the conflict is kept smouldering for three years?" asked Bishop Makundi. "This is causing me insomnia, I am being persecuted here!"

The 10 church elders of the Babati parish, led by their Chairman, Pastor Zacharia Ndaiga, spent over 40 minutes in their exclusive session with the bishop on the Saint James issue.

"The conflict is actually serving to tarnish the good image of our church!" said the elders. "It has to be resolved."

Meanwhile, the KK Security Guards who have been guarding the St. James Parish premises by the orders of the bishop, have vacated the area.

According to the parish members, the four KK guards left the premises as soon as the brethren removed one of the two church gates.

Their decision to remove the gate followed Bishop Makundi repeated attempts to put the church buildings under lock and key. The attempts were however botched when the parish members broke the chains which tied up the gates and later digging out one of the gates.

Sunday services at the Kaloleni parish are however going without any interruptions.

(Related article this week - Parish conflict stalls choir’s new video release)

Last modified: October 16, 2003.
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