CATHEDRAL REJECTS ACTING RECTOR, CLAIMS HE’S ARROGANT

MBABANE - The drama never ends at the Anglican Church of Eswatini.

In the latest development, the cathedral parishioners through the Parish Church Council (PCC), composed of parishioners have rejected the appointment of Reverend Zama Sigudla as the Acting Rector. As reported by our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini yesterday, the Diocese of Eswatini appointed Sigudla through a letter dated December 17, 2024 which was signed by Bishop Dr Dalcy Dlamini.

However, this publication is in possession of a fresh letter dated December 29, 2024, where the PCC strongly rejected the appointment.
The rejection letter has been addressed to the chairperson of the Safe and Inclusive Church (SAIC) Commission in Cape Town, South Africa.
It has also been copied to the Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) Archbishop Dr Thabo Makgoba.

Receipt

The parishioners stated that they are in receipt of a letter dated December 17, 2024 and that it followed what they termed an ‘unannounced’ visit to the cathedral’s 8am service on Sunday, December 22, 2024 by two canons, Ethel Ndlela and Vusi Kunene, who said they were sent by the bishop to announce the appointment to the congregation. The parishioners said they did not understand why the two canons chose the 8am congregation, when there are three congregations and seven outstations.

They said they were taken aback since on December 13, the bishop had stated in a letter that she wished to advise that consultations were being undertaken with relevant structures to appoint an acting rector. “It can only be left to imagination if there was any such consultation, if the two canons were very clear from the onset that they were sent by the bishop and not even the Cathedral Chapter as they are both members of that body,” reads part of the letter.

The parishioners said thinking of the confusion that would have erupted at the making of the announcement at that point, they respectfully asked to meet with them in the Parish’s Office to enable them ‘to journey together’ with them before they could say anything. According to the letter, it was during this engagement that the parishioners agreed with the two canons, that it would have been improper to make the announcement mainly because there was no proper consultation with the PCC in line with the canonical demands.

“They left without making the announcement carrying the letter that they were meant to deliver to us, with us hoping that that had opened up a time for necessary consultation. It is unfortunate that the letter was then sent by email to the clerics licenced to the parish at 9pm of the same day. We are aware that the same email was copied to members of the Cathedral Chapter as well as the Diocesan Officers (popularly known as her legal team),” the parishioners alleged in their letter.

Effect

They said the appointment of an acting rector, for six months with immediate effect, after 15 months of the parish being run without an incumbent brought a lot of questions as the PCC is patiently waiting for a consultation with the bishop of an appointment of the substantive incumbent. The parishioners said while they have their own reservations about Reverend Sigudla’s capabilities and competency, they are concerned about his alleged divisive tendencies within the parish’s congregations.

“This is in addition to his arrogance, as when we engaged with him some five months ago in respect of utilities’ consumption at the parish residence that he occupies he shouted at us with the words, “Who are you to talk about this matter”?,” it was alleged in the letter. The parishioners said on the basis of a statement that was publicly made by the bishop at a Diocesan Council meeting held on November 22, 2024, at the Thokoza Conference Centre to the effect that the relationship between her and the Cathedral Parish of All Saints was irreparable and they have reason to make certain conclusions.

They said they have reason to believe that the bishop does not want to consult or is avoiding the consultation regarding the incumbent’s appointment in line with the provisions of Canon 25.1. Also, they said they have reason to believe that the bishop does not recognise the PCC as a collective body or as individuals who were duly elected to serve the parish. “We are inclined to think that she is intent on thwarting any efforts that are aimed at resolving the quagmire between the parish and herself.

“This inclination is on the basis that at the Diocesan Council meeting, a task team was appointed to attend to the matter after her ‘irreparable’ relationship statement,” reads part of the letter. The parishioners said the bishop has not given the task team any opportunity to apply itself on the matter.

“We are puzzled on the reasons for the delay in the appointment of a dean, since that is entirely in her discretion. We have taken note of the officials to whom the letter, or notice, was addressed. We do not have any knowledge if whether the above priest was written to regarding this appointment,” said the parishioners. One of the parishioners, who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity, said the appointment is unprocedural and void, if the canons and regulations are anything to go by.

“Canon 25 and Regulation 5 clearly stipulates that the bishop can only appoint a rector after consultation with the council, a process which hasn’t happened. Regardless whether it is on acting or permanent basis, the bishop does not have a prerogative of independently appointing. To us, the appointment is void and not recognised, he remains a junior assistant priest,” he said. When pressed further, the congregant said there is an issue pending in court where, the parish is praying to the courts for the SAIC report to be implemented and the disciplinary action be taken against the bishop plus a reconciliation process to normalise things between her and the parish.

Failed

“The person who has been appointed dismally failed to demonstrate leadership expected of a priest, let alone a rector. “He has on various occasions disrespected his bosses, the wardens and planted divisive tactics within the parish.  The parish is basically requesting the bishop to hold her horses and wait for courts to decide on a way that will help the church amicably resolve this impasse,” he elaborated. Also, he said the alleged continued manipulation and dictatorship demonstrated by the bishop, are delaying and destructing the church from carrying its main mandate.

He said during the recent Diocesan Council meeting, the bishop publicly declared that her relationship with the cathedral is irreparable, thus making it even more crucial for engagement and reconciliation before any major decisions are taken. Worth noting is that a few weeks ago, the Anglican church moved an application in court, whereby it sought an interdict to prevent the wardens, council members and others were elected in 2021, from using its bank accounts where tithes, pledges and offerings are kept. The church applied for the officers to be ordered to vacate office with immediate effect.

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