There has been a bitter war between the Church of the Province of Central Africa, CPCA, and the Church of England over the issue of women’s ordination.

Retired Bishop Peter Hatendi in his book tries to explain why more men hold high office in their church. The book tackles the issues which have to do with whether ordination is by human right or by divine appointment. It has to be taken into account whether it would be consistent with Christian teaching to ordain women to pastorhood, bishophood or priesthood. The book analyses whether innovations and “progressive” ideas are affecting religion.

In recent times, the Church of England has been going through a difficult time, which has to do with the ordination of women into high office. The practice which started in Hong Kong as a stop-gap measure at the end of World War II has spread throughout the world.

The book argues that people who are baptised become one with God and full members of the church in their individual capacity.

Bishop Hatendi is no stranger to controversy.  He served as Bishop of Mashonaland from 1979 to his reluctant retirement in 1995.  But in 2007, after the resignation of Bishop Elson Madoda Jakazi from Manicaland diocese, the CPCA dean appointed retired Bishop Peter Hatendi as the vicar general and bishop of Manicaland for a year.  Although Jakazi was subsequently ex-communicated, he claimed authority over diocesan property. The Zimbabwe High Court ruled in May 2010 in favor of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa and Reverend Joseph Chipudla and the Right Reverend Ralph Peter Hatendi, who had argued that Jakazi had been ex-communicated.

To learn more click here