Church in the World
15 September 2007
Ncube steps down over adultery allegations
Pius Ncube has resigned as Archbishop of Bulawayo two months after being accused of adultery.
In a statement issued on Tuesday he vowed to remain in church leadership and to continue speaking out against the suffering caused by President Robert Mugabe's regime. He said that his resignation was tendered to the Vatican in July, but made public only when it had been accepted. He is standing down because he fears the Church's image would otherwise suffer when he appears in court in connection with the adultery accusation.
"Today the Vatican will publicise their acceptance of an offer I tendered to them in July," the statement read. "I wrote to the Pope about a state-driven attack not only on myself but also the Church in Zimbabwe. It is important that I must face this case in court as Pius Ncube and avoid having the Church's image tarnished. I remain a Catholic bishop and will continue speaking on issues that sadly become more acute by the day in our country."
The statement was read out at a press conference in Bulawayo by Essie Ncube (no relation), chairman of the Archbishop Pius Ncube Solidarity Coalition. Neither Bishop Ncube nor his lawyer attended the event; the bishop is reported to be out of the country, possibly in South Africa. He has kept a low profile since allegations against him were made by Onesimus Sibanda, a man aligned to the ruling Zanu-PF party, of an affair with his wife Rosemary. Mr Sibanda is suing Bishop Ncube in the civil courts, alleging that he committed adultery with his wife, who worked in Archbishop's House. Bishop Ncube has said that he cannot comment directly on the allegation because the matter is sub judice.
Bishop Ncube hopes to find fresh opportunities to work with the poor either "within the Church" or "within the civic movement". A brief statement from the Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted Bishop Ncube's resignation under the article of church law that says a bishop should retire if he is ill or if "some other grave reason" has made him unable to fulfil his office. The Pope has appointed Fr Martin Schupp, an ex-provincial of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, as diocesan administrator for the time being.
Sources close to Bishop Ncube say he has funding from donors to cater for his welfare as well as costs for his legal battle. It is understood that he is under no immediate pressure to leave the archbishop's residence although he is expected to do so in due course.
Suspicion surrounds video footage that appears to show the bishop in compromising positions with Rosemary Sibanda, as well as other women. Supporters of the bishop say the footage was put together by the state media, the intelligence service and Mugabe's office.
15 September 2007
Ncube steps down over adultery allegations
Pius Ncube has resigned as Archbishop of Bulawayo two months after being accused of adultery.
In a statement issued on Tuesday he vowed to remain in church leadership and to continue speaking out against the suffering caused by President Robert Mugabe's regime. He said that his resignation was tendered to the Vatican in July, but made public only when it had been accepted. He is standing down because he fears the Church's image would otherwise suffer when he appears in court in connection with the adultery accusation.
"Today the Vatican will publicise their acceptance of an offer I tendered to them in July," the statement read. "I wrote to the Pope about a state-driven attack not only on myself but also the Church in Zimbabwe. It is important that I must face this case in court as Pius Ncube and avoid having the Church's image tarnished. I remain a Catholic bishop and will continue speaking on issues that sadly become more acute by the day in our country."
The statement was read out at a press conference in Bulawayo by Essie Ncube (no relation), chairman of the Archbishop Pius Ncube Solidarity Coalition. Neither Bishop Ncube nor his lawyer attended the event; the bishop is reported to be out of the country, possibly in South Africa. He has kept a low profile since allegations against him were made by Onesimus Sibanda, a man aligned to the ruling Zanu-PF party, of an affair with his wife Rosemary. Mr Sibanda is suing Bishop Ncube in the civil courts, alleging that he committed adultery with his wife, who worked in Archbishop's House. Bishop Ncube has said that he cannot comment directly on the allegation because the matter is sub judice.
Bishop Ncube hopes to find fresh opportunities to work with the poor either "within the Church" or "within the civic movement". A brief statement from the Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted Bishop Ncube's resignation under the article of church law that says a bishop should retire if he is ill or if "some other grave reason" has made him unable to fulfil his office. The Pope has appointed Fr Martin Schupp, an ex-provincial of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, as diocesan administrator for the time being.
Sources close to Bishop Ncube say he has funding from donors to cater for his welfare as well as costs for his legal battle. It is understood that he is under no immediate pressure to leave the archbishop's residence although he is expected to do so in due course.
Suspicion surrounds video footage that appears to show the bishop in compromising positions with Rosemary Sibanda, as well as other women. Supporters of the bishop say the footage was put together by the state media, the intelligence service and Mugabe's office.
Over the years the Vatican has seemed reluctant to support the archbishop openly in his fierce criticism of President Mugabe, who is a Catholic. Just nine days before publicly accepting the church leader's resignation, the Pope transferred his nuncio in Zimbabwe - Archbishop Edward Adams - to the nunciature in the Philippines. Archbishop Adams' reassignment after five years in the African post was not abnormal, although the timing saved him from being brought into the fray surrounding Archbishop Ncube's departure. There is currently no nuncio in Zimbabwe
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