Archbishop of Canterbury asks Mugabe to stop Anglican attacks

AP – The head of the worldwide Anglican church has met with Zimbabwe’s longtime ruler, and criticized abuse and intimidation against his church’s worshippers.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is paying a two-day visit to Zimbabwe. He said Monday that President Robert Mugabe told him he was not familiar with the scale of the intimidation mentioned.

The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been divided since a breakaway bishop was excommunicated in 2007 for inciting violence in sermons supporting Mugabe’s party.

Excommunicated leader Nolbert Kunonga’s followers have seized the country’s main cathedral and bank accounts. His followers also have taken control of an orphanage, and evicted nuns and priests who do not recognize Kunonga.