Posted on 07/20/2007 2:44:57 AM PDT by Gamecock
Archbishop Pius Ncube, an outspoken critic of authoritarian Zimbabwean President Mugabe, is being taken to court for allegedly conducting an affair with a secretary, a married woman.
The outspoken critic of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Archbishop Pius Ncube, is being taken to court for allegedly having an affair with one of his secretaries.
The lawsuit, filed yesterday by the husband of the woman in question, Mrs. Rosemary Sibanda, asks for the equivalent of $160,000 as compensation for emotional damages and the loss of companionship.
In reaction to the filing of charges against the cleric, the Archbishop’s lawyer said that the claims are part of an “orchestrated attempt” to embarrass his client.
Photographs were published yesterday by the state-run media that claim to show the Archbishop undressing in his bedroom with the plaintiff’s wife.
Democracy activist David Coltart, a Bulawayo attorney and longtime friend of Ncube, said the only incriminating photographs were blurred and did not conclusively show the archbishop.
Mr. Onesimus Sibanda, the husband who filed suit, is railroad technician. He was unlikely to have been able mount an elaborate "sting operation" and litigation alone, Coltart said.
Previously, state intelligence agents used a hidden camera in the treason case against Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai was acquitted in 2004 after more than a year of court hearings.
However, in an interview on state television, Archbishop Ncube said, "We all have weaknesses. That's why when we pray we always ask God for forgiveness.”
He continued: "I will not answer this question concerning my private life. Yes, I did take a vow. There are a whole lot of other circumstances that take place in a person's life. I would not be able to answer those items."
The Church leader has said that he will deal with the allegations in the courts and not on a television camera. “Yes I have been served with the summons but at this juncture I am saying let us deal with the courts since the case is already before the courts," according to Reuters.
!
Or not.
.
The posted article itself opines that the communist Mugabe government orchestrated the charges and made photos.
I won’t make light of possible adultery but it certainly pales next to the one million plus people who have been murdered/starved by Mugabe.
Apparently you view this adultery charge as some positive aid to anti-Catholic bigotry and are even willing to collaborate with communists in that cause. Incredible.
So you think adultery is no big deal.
I seem to remember when FR Catholics thought there was nothing to the "rumor" that priests were having their way with alter boys.
Apparently you view this adultery charge as some positive aid to anti-Catholic bigotry
Me? A bigot? It might intrest you to know that for years I had my kids in a Catholic school.
and are even willing to collaborate with communists in that cause.
Riiight, let's bury our heads in the sand and ignore any accusations as long as it meets a political agenda. How many millions of dollars has this attitude cost the Roman Catholic Church over the past couple of years?
You wrote:
“Riiight, let’s bury our heads in the sand and ignore any accusations as long as it meets a political agenda. How many millions of dollars has this attitude cost the Roman Catholic Church over the past couple of years?”
Zero. Catholics did not ignore accusations for the sake of a “political agenda”. Can you show they did? If accusations were ignored, they were ignored for reasons of moral lapses, or simply the abandonment of common sense, not for political agendas.
Also, Archbishop Pius may or may not have committed adultery (he apparently denies it), but it is clear that these charges have ONLY COME UP NOW because of Mugabe’s political agenda.
That would make it much more tolerable!!
You wrote:
“That would make it much more tolerable!!”
Nope. But at least I got the reasons right while you made up some bogus excuse. Try being accurate.
Actually, I wouldn't care if it was. The guy is a hero.
Is this supposed to be more interesting than the dictator’s mass-murder campaign over there?
However, in an interview on state television, Archbishop Ncube said, "We all have weaknesses. That's why when we pray we always ask God for forgiveness.”
Pretty weak denial.
What makes you think it was a denial rather than just a statement about the fact that we all have weaknesses?
Actually I don't think it was a denial. It was a tacit admission.
I wouldn’t be so sure, since the Archbishop’s lawyers say he will deny the charges in court.
The quote, "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?", comes to mind.
And...........??
How about digging up some dirt on Milingo? That should be good for a few threads. Last I heard, he was shacked up again with his Moonie bride.
Keep us updated. As FR's "Catholic dirt" reporter of record, we're counting on you.
What is preventing the Bishop from denying it in public? Nothing.
I suspect that he will not deny the charges in court because the case will never go to court. It will be settled out of court.
Clinton's lawyers went out and claimed that Clinton did not rape Juanita Broderick. Clinton himself has never denied it. Clinton has always referred people to the statement his lawyers made.
You wrote:
“What is preventing the Bishop from denying it in public? Nothing.”
Actually two things:
1) It shifts the focus from attacking Mugabe to defending the Archbishop. Bad strategy.
2) As a Christian he has to be willing to suffer scorn in silence when that is needed. It is the way of the saints after all. Mind you, I have no idea if the accusation is true.
“I suspect that he will not deny the charges in court because the case will never go to court. It will be settled out of court.”
In Mugabe’s little fiefdom under the lights of his TV station’s cameras? I’m not so sure about that. Mugabe is pushing this.
“Clinton’s lawyers went out and claimed that Clinton did not rape Juanita Broderick. Clinton himself has never denied it.”
For three reasons:
1) It was true - he raped her (all the evidence points toward that)
2) It looked beneath the dignity of the office to have Clinton deny it personally.
3) No one in the MSM really paid attention to Broderick.
“Clinton has always referred people to the statement his lawyers made.”
Again, we all know why.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.