The press release from the St. Phoebe Center for the Deaconess resulted in a predictable reaction on social media: over-the-top vitriol from the usual suspects and unmitigated praise coming from the other usual suspects.

What was sadly lacking was a more nuanced conversation about the situation of the Orthodox Church in Africa.

This is a situation that, because of the intervention of Russia, is of importance to more than Orthodox Christians.

Orthodox Africa

Historically, most of Africa has been under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria .

Until the late 20th century, the Patriarchate primarily consisted of Egypt's remnant Greek-speaking population and, starting in the 19th century, Greek immigrants to sub-Saharan Africa.

But with the 1997 election of Pope Petros VII — Patriarchs of Alexandria were called "pope" centuries before the title became synonymous with the bishop of Rome — the Patriarchate undertook significant missionary work.

Today, nearly 300,000 Africans are Orthodox Christians, the most since the days of the Roman Empire.

The hierarchy of the Patriarchate remains disproportionately ethnically Greek. but rising numbers of priests and even bishops are indigenous Africans.

Missionary churches have adopted local customs and aesthetics with an ease that has eluded Orthodox Christian communities in North America and Western Europe.

This isn't the only way Orthodox missionary growth in Africa looks different from that in the West.

Africa and the West

In recent years particularly, North American and Western European converts have been overwhelmingly politically conservative (or even far-right) young men.

Some data suggests that 75 percent of converts to the Orthodox Church in America — the second-largest Orthodox jurisdiction in the U.S. — have been men.

In Africa, however, this disparity seems not to exist.

While the exact numbers are unclear, the evidence suggests that more African women are converting than men.

This trend, combined with the persistence of traditional norms governing interactions between men and women and the exclusion of widows in many traditional African societies was notable.

It explained in some minds why in 2016 the Synod of the Patriarch of Alexandria voted in 2016 to "restore the ancient Order of the Deaconess."

Consecration and ordination

Shortly afterward, the Patriarch consecrated six women in the Congo as deaconesses, with the specified vocation of participating in missionary work.

It's important to note, however, that Orthodox tradition makes a distinction between "consecration" and "ordination."

In the eight years since that time, what exactly the synod's decision to "restore" the order of deaconess means or how it would be implemented beyond the six women in the Congo had not been answered.

When the news of Molen's ordination broke, it did little to clear up the confusion, not least because Deaconess Angelic was pictured distributing the Eurcharist.

While the order of deaconess was an ancient tradition, scholars still debate whether or not they were allowed to participate in the liturgy in this way.

Within days, the Patriarchate of Alexandria had issued a statement "clarifying" the events in Harare, and indeed it seems, walking back much of what had been done there.

"It is particularly pointed out that deaconesses were never established in the history of the Church as women-ministers of the Holy Mysteries," the statement said., while reiterating that:

"the mission in Africa needs deaconesses, mainly for the pastoral work and for the baptisms of adult women, as well as in special cases, such as widowhood, in stricter male-dominated environments, where for a long time the widowed woman is cut off from social and church life."

The statement has been largely ignored by those in the West, most notably the St. Phoebe Center's discussion of the event.

It has been widely shared by members of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, particularly indigenous African clergy, who recognise the real danger of having their church associated with progressive gender politics.

Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa

The clergy's fear is not merely about people in pews or the size of the Sunday offering.

In December of 2021, the Russian Orthodox Church established the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, which explicitly seeks to siphon churches, clergy and believers from the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Technically formed in response to the decision by Alexandria to recognise the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, most policy experts see the exarchate as a transparent attempt to extend Russian influence in Africa.

The Russian Orthodox Church's global posturing as a guardian of tradition and the Patriarchate of Alexandria's ethnic and historical ties to the Patriarchate of Constantinople is widely seen as a more progressive force in the Orthodox world.

Given this, Alexandria and her clergy seem wise to distance themselves from the implications of global culture war.

It's a battle they might not be able to escape.

Relentless battle

The debate surrounding the Orthodox deaconesses of Africa will not relent any time soon.

As with so many things in postcolonial societies, the actual conversations, issues and possibly the solutions have largely been taken out of the hands of African Orthodox Christians, at least as they exist in the Western media.

This is perhaps the real lesson for all, regardless of what emotions the sight of a woman dressed in clerical garb elicits from them.

• First published by Religion News Service
• Katherine Kelaidis is a research associate at the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge, England,

Mugabe died last Friday in Singapore. He was 95

Father Richard Mushukua opened Sunday's Mass paying tribute to Mugabe and asking congregants to forgive him.

"He did a lot of positive things for our country but not everything that he did was right. We should learn to forgive for all the wrongs he may have committed. May God grant him mercy," Mushuku said.

Mugabe dominated Zimbabwean politics for almost four decades from independence in 1980 until he was removed by his own army in a November 2017 coup.

Revered by many as a liberator who freed his people from white minority rule, he was also vilified by others for wrecking one of Africa's most promising economies and ruthlessly crushing his opponents.

He was calculated and pragmatic, using the church when it suited him, said Oskar Wermter SJ.

Wermter said Mugabe was inclined to appear at Masses that would attract publicity and always expected to address the congregation.

Father Frederick Chiromba, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference, said the news of Mugabe's death "is met with much sadness."

Father Kennedy Muguti, who is the vicar-general of the archdiocese of Harare, said

"Being a Catholic, he tried his level best to live according to Christian values and I know people have mixed feelings in the way he practiced his Christian values".

A parishioner, added to this, saying "current leaders must learn from his mistakes."

The Zimbabwean government has told embassies it planned to hold a state funeral for Mugabe in the National Sports Stadium on Saturday, with a burial ceremony on Sunday.

Just where Mugabe will be buried is still being finalised.

His family is pushing back against the government's plan to bury him at the National Heroes Acre monument in Harare and wants him to be buried in his home village instead.

Catholic-educated, Mugabe trained as a teacher, he taught at Catholic schools in Zimbabwe before leaving for Ghana.

He and his first wife were married in a Catholic church in Harare in 1961.

He had an apparently positive relationship with the Church until a 1997 report - compiled from witness accounts - listing over 7,000 cases of killings, torture and human rights abuses by Zimbabwe government troops.

This report changed Mugabe's relationship with the church, which until then had been cordial, and he started to call the bishops "sanctimonious prelates."

Source

• Reuters
• AP News
• Angelus
• America Magazine
• Image: Fox News

Bradburne, whose father was an Anglican clergyman, converted to Catholicism in 1947. His experiences as a soldier in World War II are said to have influenced his conversion.

He initially hoped to become a monk, but in 1969 he visited a neglected leper colony in Zimbabwe.

He decided to stay to help. He remained until 1979 when he was kidnapped and killed by guerrillas during Zimbabwe's civil war. He was 58.

Bradburne's intercession is supposed to have cured a Scottish man who had a brain tumour. He is also reported to have worked miracles before he was killed.

Blood was seen dripping from his coffin at his funeral, although no blood was found inside the casket when it was checked.

Crowdfunders have raised US$28,000 to help with their bid to have a Vatican investigator verify the claims.

Bradburne's niece, Celia Brigstocke, is leading the campaign to beatify her uncle. Others supporting his cause include his publisher, linguistics experts and the man who wrote the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare has petitioned the Holy See for Bradburne's beatification and canonisation.

He is now waiting for a postulator to be appointed to look into Bradburne's life.

Source

• The Week
• Daily Mail
• La Croix
• Image: The Southern Cross

They are imploring the new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, to put in place inclusive transitional mechanisms to level the political playing field ahead of next year's watershed elections. Read more

Mnangagwa has been chosen to succeed 93-year old Robert Mugabe as head of a transitional government.

He is the African nation's former vice-president.

Mugabe was ousted following a military coup.

Accusations of economic mismanagement and violating the constitution during elections surrounded his departure.

During the past week, Zimbabwe's bishops have said they are concerned about the future of the country.

"The Church has keenly and prayerfully followed the recent tense events in the country," they wrote in a Pastoral Letter dated 19 November.

"We, your Shepherds, encourage those central to these delicate processes ... to work tirelessly for a peaceful end to the crisis and to a speedy return to normalcy and Constitutional order.

"Let us be mindful of the fact that ... the entire population is concerned about the process as well as the future of the country."

Mnangagwa has responded positively to the bishops' pleas, promising an era of "unfolding democracy".

His selection as the country's new transitional leader appears to be popular with the people.

His motorcade was cheered as it made its way through Harare to the ruling Zanu (PF) party headquarters on Wednesday.

He was sworn in as president yesterday.

During the transition of power and governance, the Catholic bishops are encouraging the development of "free and fair elections, referenda and consultations."

They are also prioritising a nationwide respect for life.

"All life is precious. The preservation of lives must be paramount and for that, it is essential that peace, law and order be maintained especially in these most delicate times," the bishops said.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• The Zimbabwe Mail
• Crux
• Image: The Independent

The army is targeting an operation against "criminals" in his entourage, a senior political source claims. Read more

At the same time he attends Mass and pretends to be a devout Christian.

Remnant Church founder and renowned anti-Mugabe pastor, Patrick Mugadza, said he will petition Pope Francis, requesting Mugabe's excommunication

Mugadza rose to fame after his arrest last year for staging a one-man demonstration.

He demanded Mugabe's resignation at the last Zanu PF conference in Victoria Falls.

He said the veteran leader has tarnished the image of the Catholic Church.

"We will soon write to the Pope where President Mugabe fellowships," Mugadza said.

"We will apprise the Roman Catholic church leader of Mugabe's wanton and gross human rights abuses against defenceless citizens and request the Zanu PF leader's excommunication."

The pastor was speaking in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com.

The interview followed his demonstration against police brutality in Harare this week.

His protest followed dozens of anti-government protestors' arrest and incarceration across the provinces.

Many of the activists alleged assault and torture at Zimbabwe Republic Police hands.

Many clerics have been condemning the brutality and mis-governance by Mugabe's government lately.

Mugadza stands-out for being the only one who has staged street demonstrations.

The country has, in the last few months, been rocked by riots as bitter Zimbabweans took to the streets.

They are venting their frustrations and demand that government addresses their grievances.

Two-thirds of the estimated 13 million Zimbabweans live below the poverty datum line.

Their reasons point to an ailing economy as a result of poor policies and elite corruption.

Despite the country's 90 per cent literacy rating, statistics show at least 80 percent of the adult population is unemployed.

Source

• allAfrica
• atlantablackstar.com
• Image: zimdaily.com

Mr Mugabe, said to be a practising Catholic, told a Chinese television interviewer that he resents Western aid because it always depends on conditions like accepting homosexuality.

He praised Beijing for being "very constructive" in its assistance towards Zimbabwe, the Telegraph reported.

"Whereas Europe and America, when they give little funding assistance to countries they always attach conditions," he said. "And that is our objection."

Earlier this year, at his daughter's wedding, the Jesuit-educated Mr Mugabe reportedly told guests: "We don't accept homosexuality here. God made men and women so they can bear children."

Mr Mugabe also recently said that Zimbabwe would not allow any gay diplomats into Harare, and regularly refers to gay people as "pigs" and "dogs".

The Zimbabwean leader went to China to try and bail out his country's bankrupt economy.

He returned home without any cash or even soft loans, but signed a handful of expensive deals to support ongoing infrastructural repairs and power generation as well as a pledge for a new coal mine.

During his TV interview, Mr Mugabe told viewers that China went into African projects using joint ventures whereas European businesses would not share their profits and had colonial attitudes.

At the end of last year, Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF party unveiled a five year economic blueprint to create more than two million new jobs with investments of up to NZ$30 billion.

Economists say the latest deals with Beijing would be very expensive, as Chinese insurers rate Zimbabwe as extremely high risk.

Late last year, Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops issued a pastoral letter calling for their country to engage more with the international community and lamenting how polarised it is.

Despite being blessed with abundant natural resources and highly skilled people, there were no signs of improvements in Zimbabwean life that could improve people's prospects, they said.

Zimbabwe was once one of the most prosperous of African nations, but it is now one of the poorest, with policies said to redistribute land and natural resources leaving them in the hands of a ruling party elite.

Sources

• The Telegraph
• Ecumenical News
• Image: Huffington Post

Close to half a million people turned out to parades in the three main centres after the All Blacks' broke their 24-year Rugby World Cup drought.

They basked not only in the All Blacks' knife-edge victory but in the afterglow of the staging of a highly successful international sporting tournament.

Supporting the All Blacks became a point of national pride. Following the Black Caps campaign in Zimbabwe has become a cause of national shame.

It's impossible to summon up any enthusiasm about the Kiwi cricketers' Harare hijinks. Ross Taylor and his men are pawns in a sporting farce which serves only to offer succour to the tyrannical Robert Mugabe regime.

It's not the Black Caps' fault entirely - although it would be nice to see some of our top cricketers take a moral stand as ex-All Blacks Graham Mourie, Bruce Robertson, Bob Burgess and Ken Gray did in refusing to play rugby against the Springboks in the apartheid era.

They were able to, of course, because rugby was still amateur in the 1970s and '80s. The Black Caps play cricket as a job. They are contractually obligated to New Zealand Cricket, who are, in turn, indentured to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

That puts NZC between a rock and a hard place. If they took a stand on principle - as any responsible national sporting organisation should - the ICC would slap them with a seven-figure fine for breaching the future tours agreement.

The New Zealand government refused to allow Zimbabwe to tour here in 2005 but the ICC warned NZC it would be fined $2m if the Black Caps pulled out of their planned visit to Zimbabwe the same year.

NZC could afford to pay $2m now - it announced a $2.6m profit yesterday.

It would be money well spent.

Someone has to show some true leadership in international cricket.

The ICC is simply the most morally bereft sporting body in the world - some achievement when the field includes Fifa and the International Olympic Committee.

Amnesty International reports that tortures, illegal detentions of human rights advocates and mass evictions of families and children continue in Zimbabwe two years after self-styled President Robert Mugabe was forced to share power with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Read more

• Source: Tony Smith in The Christchurch Press
• Image: Bulawayo24News
• See also: Mark Reason in The Dominion Post

"It was right that the spiritual honour be given to Pope John Paul II," Mugabe said.

The Vatican waded off a lot of criticism aimed at it for inviting the Zimbabwe First Family to the ceremony. The Vatican said it had "nothing to hide" and that President Mugabe's presence was a "function" of the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Zimbabwe.

Mugabe travelled to Rome by virtue of the Lateran Treaty which created a "diplomatic corridor" between the Vatican and the rest of the world. The convention also applies to the United Nations. He labelled as "unholy" denying Zimbabwe journalists entrance into the Vatican State.

"I was surprised and shocked that on this holy trip there was an unholy decision to bar one of our journalists called Reuben Barwe," Mugabe told the Herald, a state-owned newspaper.

Travel restrictions aside, observers have expressed shock that Mugabe was invited to the heart of Catholicism, despite recently slamming Catholic Bishops as "liars," and "puppets of the West."

Recently, Mugabe, who is Catholic, addressed members of the Zion Christian Church and said he had lost confidence in his church's bishops.

"Often Catholic bishops expose that they are not their own men; they are mere puppets of Western Countries. I grew up in a Catholic Church but now I am totally frustrated by how these so called men of God lie. All Catholic bishops are liars, they demonise my party every day."

He added: "I observed how they operate and my conclusion is that almost three quarters of them who are whites, feed people with lies."

Mugabe has previously travelled to Rome despite travel bans, and in 2005 attended John Paul II's funeral. He then returned to Rome in 2008, travelling under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), for a summit of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Sources

• The Zimbabwe Guardian
• SW Radio Africa news
• SW Radio Africa news
• The Catholic Herald