Bishop Mhogolo denies supporting homosexual links

Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo will live to remember this year`s Easter as he was barred from conducting mass at the Cathedral in Dodoma following controversy over his alleged acceptance of same sex sexual relations, which he has denied.

By Privatus Lipili, PST, Dodoma

Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo will live to remember this year`s Easter as he was barred from conducting mass at the Cathedral in Dodoma following controversy over his alleged acceptance of same sex sexual relations, which he has denied.

Last week, three parishes of the Anglican Church, Central Tanganyika Diocese in Dodoma announced a total rejection of the clerical services including benediction, baptism and confirmation of their children by Bishop Mhogolo.

Although the bishop is understood to have stayed away from the cathedral on advice from the police on the eve of Good Friday, he maintains that his absence was in compliance with his work schedule, signaling to continued tension around the diocese.

�I have a timetable for my duties. Last year, I conducted services at the cathedral, so this year I concentrated on small congregations on the outskirts of the Diocese, conducting Easter service at Ng`ong`ona village,� bishop Mhogolo explained.

He said that he delegated to the Dean of the church to conduct service at the cathedral during his absence something that had nothing to do with police advice.

The bishop nevertheless admitted existence of friction between him and some worshippers whom he alleged are, supporters of his rival.

�I know who is behind all this (his rejection),� said bishop Mhogolo without disclosing the said instigator.

Mhogolo alleged that one of the former high ranking church leaders in the diocese he accused of embezzling 7m/- out of 8m/- funds set aside for massive renovation of the house of the bishop instigated his down fall.

�He goes around tarnishing my image but I am not worried as long as I stand for the truth.

He has hired non-worshippers in Chang`ombe area to molest me for his own benefit. It is not true that I support homosexuality,� the bishop complained.

He said his comments on homosexuality implied that the church should not consider it as the greatest sin compared to robbery, corruption, adultery and others.

Bishop Mhogolo reiterated that homosexuality has never been a problem to the church in Africa.

�There are so many other problems ranging from poverty, ignorance and diseases that the church in Africa could address instead of importing the issue of homosexuality which is a problem of the American church,� he said.

Early this year, in an interview with BBC, bishop Mhogolo said the church should not ostracize homosexuals but rather embrace and teach them about the will of God.

It was reported that bishop Mhogolo challenged the church in Africa to refuse accepting financial assistance from the church in America while denouncing homosexuality because some of the money was from lesbians and gays.

In February this year, clerics from the Anglican church around the world gathered in Dar es Salaam to discuss among other issues, the position of the church on ordaining gay and lesbian priests.

Delegates to the conference gave the American church until September this year to clarify its position on the relevance of homosexual priests serving the church.

Source: Guardian