Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) General Assembly has determined that Blantyre Synod General Secretary (GS) Reverend Anderson Juma should apologise to the synods of Livingstonia and Nkhoma over remarks he made against the two.
In a recorded audio that went viral on social media, Juma was heard blocking pastors from the two synods from ministering at Blantyre Synod congregations in South Africa.
The remarks attracted condemnation from the leaderships of Livingstonia and Nkhoma synods who said what Juma said was shocking.
Now the general assembly, the umbrella body of all the five CCAP synods, the others being Harare and Lusaka, has resolved that Juma should make a public apology over his sentiments.
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The assembly has also suggested that he should physically meet leaders of the two synods.
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Its moderator Reverend Biswick Nkhoma said the remarks have the potential to divide the church.
Nkhoma said the assembly will meet next week, where, among other things, its leadership will discuss the best way of preserving the synods’ relationships.
“Reverend Juma has accepted to apologise publicly and meet Nkhoma and Livingstonia synod leaders on the issue. We believe doing so is good for the church’s unity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Blantyre Synod has issued an apology letter to presbytery moderators and clerks in its jurisdiction, regretting Juma’s choice of words.
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The letter is signed by the synod’s moderator Reverend Humphreys Zgambo and deputy GS Baxton Maulidi.
In it, the two have also disclosed that they have drafted an apology to Nkhoma and Blantyre synods and that the synod’s leadership will travel to the two synods as a way of commitment and seriousness on the apology.
Maulidi confirmed that they had issued the apology, saying Blantyre Synod believes in the oneness of the CCAP church.
“Therefore, we regret the remarks and we are making it clear so that our Christians should know that we are for unity and love,” the reverend said.
