Staff Reporter
BISHOP Lukas Katenda, the head of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church in Namibia (REACH-NA), has launched a devastating counterattack against traditional leaders who rejected his application to build a chapel in the Onamukalo village, Ohangwena Region, accusing them of being traders of alcoholic beverages that are detrimental to society.
Katenda submitted his application on 24 December, and it was rejected first by the village headwoman, Justina Hamujwaya, and her lieutenants on 27 December, and then by the general assembly of villagers on 30 December.
The reasons for the rejection included the alleged unavailability of land and that a church is not desired.
“Villagers who need it are free to go where it exists already,” said Hamujwaya in a letter to Katenda.
The rejection of the application infuriated the bishop so much that he promptly launched a counterattack, accusing members of the village committee of being “shebeen owners” who sell intoxicating substances to the public, yet oppose the construction of a church, which is beneficial to society.
He said that the shebeens, located a stone’s throw from the existing Anglican Church at Onamutai, were deliberately erected in front of the church to tempt the faithful with alcohol as soon as they exit the church. “The owners of such shebeens are among those who rejected our application to build a church,” said Katenda.
He also blamed the villagers’ decision on a lack of knowledge of the rights enshrined in the Namibian Constitution.
Katenda said that although there are no physical structures yet, in reality a REACH-NA parish already exists in the Onamukalo village and will continue holding worship services on a private property, despite the rejection of their application for a piece of land where they intended to erect a church, a pastor’s house and a kindergarten.
Photo: Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of Namibia
