The Africans aren't giving up!

Nicholas Henderson carried in procession to archbishop's office

The Revd Nicholas Henderson, at his visit to Malawi in February 2006, was given a hero's welcome when he arrived at the airport, and carried shoulder-high in procession to the Archbishop's office by local clergy, in a high profile revolt against the Archbishop's refusal to appoint him as Bishop of Lake Malawi.

On 29th July 2005 the Elective Assembly of the Anglican Diocese of Lake Malawi, Province of Central Africa elected by overwhelming majority the Revd Nicholas Henderson, currently Vicar of two West London parishes as Bishop, to replace the late Bishop Peter Nyanja. Nicholas Henderson has had an 18 year connection with the Diocese of Lake Malawi and is well known to the clergy and people.

Subsequent objections from five people in the Nkhota-khota region led the Archbishop of Central Africa, The Most Revd Dr Bernard Malango to postpone the Court of Confirmation until 29th November 2005.

Astonishingly, the Court of Confirmation declined to confirm the election on the grounds that ‘Revd Nicholas Henderson's active association as the General Secretary of the Modern Churchpeople's Union made him unsuitable for confirmation because this actively demonstrated that he was not of sound faith.'

The diocesan clergy, incensed by this refusal to appoint Mr Henderson, have continued to campaign on his behalf. The purpose of his recent visit to Malawi was to further some develop projects which are urgently needed at this time of widespread famine in the country. The clergy seized the opportunity of his arrival to renew their pressure on the Archbishop. Taking him to the Archbishop's office, they demanded a meeting with him.

The Archbishop's response was to run away! He ran out of the back door, and has left Malawi.

The clergy are currently appealing to the new Panel of Reference arrangements for the Anglican Communion. An application has been sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury.