Churches closed in Zimbabwe for Anglican bishop's wedding anniversary fund raiser
The Associated Press
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2006

HARARE, Zimbabwe The Anglican bishop of Harare ordered his cathedral and the capital's other Anglican churches closed on Sunday, and instead held a prayer meeting and fundraiser at a sports arena to celebrate his 33rd wedding anniversary.

Church officials accused Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, however, of demanding the closures so congregations could attend his event, which was also meant to raise funds for a clerical training college in Harare.

Of those attending the event, individual parishes were asked to contribute 500,000 Zimbabwe dollars (US$2,000, €1,562), and members of the congregation were to bring 5,000 Zimbabwe dollars (US$20; 15), officials said.

There was no notice posted at the Harare cathedral to explain why its doors were locked Sunday — the first time it has been closed since Zimbabwe's 1980 independence. the rest