Since the early 1980's a few Anglican clergy in Zambia had become increasingly concerned over the doctrinal and moral directions of the Canterbury Anglican Communion. While aware that that Communion had always been tolerant of a diversity of opinions in these areas, it was felt that traditional beliefs and morality were then being eroded to a degree never seen before.
At the Diocesan Synod of 1989 time was set aside for discussing the anomalies that by then poisoned the Anglican Communion: - among them, a blatant disregard of core doctrines of Christianity, the refusal to act against atheistic and agnostic clergy, the erosion of the authority of Scriptures, the denial by many church leaders of the salvific uniqueness of Christianity, the Church's unilateral breach of the Catholic Apostolic Ministry, the widespread tolerance of unbiblical morality and marriage indiscipline, and the growing intolerance on the part of some churchleaders towards orthodox believers.
During these discussions it became clear that Zambian Anglicans, clergy and laity, were very poorly informed, and that the bishops were failing altogether in their duty to keep Anglicans informed of these adverse developments in the Canterbury Communion, or publicly to comment on issues of heterodoxy. Even occasional press reports in Zambia about the rot pervading the worldwide Anglican Communion did not provoke bishops to issue statements.
When in 1989 Fr Pierre Dil, then a USPG missionary of 25 years standing, was appointed Dean of Lusaka's Holy Cross Cathedral, he set out to improve the distribution of information related to the aforementioned issues: news reports and information papers were distributed to bishops and priests on a regular basis, and to the Cathedral congregation. One bishop, now the Archbishop of Central Africa, responded by pointing out that priests should not presume to advise bishops... In the mean time, the then Archbishop, Walter Khotso Makhulu, continued to insist that woman priests must be introduced into the Church of the Province of Central Africa, ignoring persistent rejection of this innovation by Provincial Synods after seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit... His tolerance of homosexuality caused great concern as well.
By 1998 at least three priests had become so unhappy about developments in the local Church and the Canterbury Communion that they decided the time had come to transfer their allegiance and loyalty to the Traditional Anglican Communion [TAC]. The Very Revd Canon Pierre J Dil resigned as Dean and Vicar General, publicly stating his reasons for doing so. Anglicans from seven congregations immediately announced their desire also to join the TAC. Thus the Continuing Anglican Communion in Zambia [CACZ] was launched.
The reaction from the Diocese of Lusaka was aggressive and harsh: in a television interview the bishop falsely stated that the CACZ favoured homosexuality, same-sex marriages and homosexual clergy... The rumour was spread that we drank human blood at our Holy Communion services... A demand for a retraction and apology was ignored. The police were called in to threaten CACZ-members, and at the farewell service of Fr Mukuyamba, the bishop publicly "sacked" all licensed lay leaders who joined the CACZ.
Fr Dil, Fr Andrew Mukyamba and Fr Michael Kateketa applied for licences from Archbishop Louis Falk as soon as the Continuing Anglican Communion in Zambia was launched and registered with the TAC. The word "traditional" had to be avoided in the name of this new body of faithful Anglicans because of its connotations in Africa. The word "Communion" was preferred over "Church" because we did not want to portray ourselves as "yet another church" - we are the Anglican Church! Archbishop Louis Falk appointed Fr Pierre Dil as Vicar General.
The CACZ was offered a "home" for its headquarters in the Makeni Ecumenical Centre, a large Christian Community Centre 8 kilometers south of Lusaka, which offered it a small office, a classroom for the seminary and a residence for seminarians. More information about Makeni Centre can be found at: http://members.truepath.com/mec/mec.htm
By June 2002, the number of congregations in the CACZ had risen to 13: Makeni, Chunga, Lilanda, Matero, Mwomboshi, three congregations in Mwembeshi district, Linda, Chawama, Chisamba, Kalwelwe and Msoro, with a total membership of about 1200. The CACZ has a strong evangelical orientation balanced with a profound appreciation of the Church's Catholic heritage - the best of both worlds! The strength of faith among members is perhaps best demonstrated by remarkable cases of healing in Jesus' Name - e.g., recently a long-infected innocent AIDS victim, near death, and a serious case of glaucoma were instantly healed after prayer by the faithful.
In 2001 the CACZ built a large church in Chunga township, capable of seating 400 people. Funds for this came mostly from Canada and the USA through the International Anglican Fellowship, whose Director, Mr Howard Hecht, has been untiring in his auppport of the Church in Zambia. There is urgent need for four other church buildings to be erected. Each building will cost at least US$10,000.
A Trust had been set up for the CACZ enabling it to own land and buildings. A Constitution had been approved allowing the CACZ to procede with registration, compulsory under Zambian law. The first Synod is planned for September 2003 - till then a Mission Committee oversees the Church's activities. A Woman's Fellowship and Men's Fellowship were set up in 2002, with many hundreds of members.
A Seminary was set up my May 2000, in spite of the serious shortage of staff. Seven candidates for training were enrolled; sadly,one died, one was asked to leave and one advised to stop and sort out a personal problem first. The remaining four candidates, Nathan Ngoma, Bernard Banda, Joseph Mukuka and Maxwell Lungu are now in their last year of study. Ordinations are scheduled for June 2003.
In 2001, the TAC appointed a Bishop for South Africa, and the CACZ immediately asked that his episcopal care be extended to Zambia also. This was approved by the TAC College of Bishops, and the CACZ welcomed Bp Trevor Rhodes in their midst in September 2001. Prior to that Bishop John Hepworth of Australia had visited Zambia twice on behalf of the TAC. It is often remarked that since joining the TAC, Anglicans have seen more of their bishops than they ever did before!
Since the inception of the CACZ, the new Archbishop of Central Africa of the Canterbury Anglican Commussion has suddenly developed concern over the mess that Communion finds itself in, and has begun speaking out. However, at the same time bishops of CPCA are allowing woman priests to celebrate Mass in their dioceses contrary to Provincial church law. Also, the Zambian Church's official link with the Diocese of Bath & Wells, England, one of the CoE's most liberal dioceses, is being maintained, compromising its Archbishop, bishops and clergy constantly at all sort of levels.
Contact details for the CACZ: mecdil@zamnet.zm, chairmec@zamnet.zm P O Box 50255, Lusaka, Zambia. Tel 260-1-272877 or 274991, Fax 272437
Contact details for the CACZ: mecdil@zamnet.zm, chairmec@zamnet.zm P O Box 50255, Lusaka, Zambia. Tel 260-1-272877 or 274991, Fax 272437