Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba is reeling in pain after discovering during a four-month investigation that the allegations that a bishop of their Gauteng church had sexually harassed female congregants and had improper relationships with wives and ex-wives of clergymen were big fat lies.
The probe by an external task team was commissioned by Makgoba, the national head of the church, to investigate complaints by a group of East Rand clergy against Bishop Charles May, head of the Diocese of the Highveld.
The group – which named itself #SaveOurDiocese – alleged that May had inappropriate relationships with the wives or ex-wives of clergymen and also protected a priest accused of sexual abuse.
The group also accused May of embezzling church funds to the tune of R5-million from a charity organisation and using the loot to buy land for himself.
The task team’s report stated that the allegations against May were reported to the Safe and Inclusive Church Commission and the police.
The task team, which included two bishops from outside the diocese, a legal expert and a financial expert, conducted the probe and wrote the report to Makgoba. It stated that the allegations against May were not substantiated and that the task team’s efforts to secure evidence from the group drew a blank.
The team also reported that those who made the allegations against May should be hauled before a disciplinary hearing.
The team reports that the charges against the complainants are serious and the culprits should follow the canonical process to its conclusion. It also stated that the allegations had a negative impact on all parties.
Responding in a letter to the Anglican Church, Makgoba said he was hurt by spurious allegations against May: “I am deeply pained that Bishop May and his family have been subjected to such unsubstantiated claims. I am also deeply pained at the spiritual and emotional damage that parties on both sides of the dispute have suffered.
“I note that the task team says that disciplinary proceedings against some members of the #SaveOurDiocese group, which include charges arising out of making the claims against the bishop, should proceed.
Despite exculpating him of the sex charges and infidelity, the team, headed by retired bishop of Pretoria Bishop Jo Seoka, questioned elements of the way May handled the conflict and recommended that he take a sabbatical while an externally appointed team led by two retired bishops addresses the situation.
However, Makgoba said in his letter, there was no provision under church law (the canons) for requiring a bishop to take a sabbatical and has referred this and other recommendations to lawyers and the church’s synod of bishops for further advice.
He noted that in recent years the church has taken steps to ensure that its laws are in accord with the principles embodied in South African labour law.
Makgoba said the report also deals at length with the conflict in the diocese that these and other matters in dispute have generated. “Our assessment is that drastic action is needed to break the impasse, and a basis needs to be found for the diocese to be placed under administration for six months to implement the recommendations.
“The tactics and strategies being employed at present by parties are not in keeping with our church and need to be acted on decisively. Most of the people spoken to who do not identify as part of either group only desire for order and peace to be restored to serve and worship God peacefully,” he said.
“I am referring the task team’s recommendations to our canon law team, headed by the provincial chancellor and provincial registrar, for legal advice, and to next month’s meeting of the synod of bishops for their input, including advice on the implications of the recommendations for situations in their dioceses.”
Makgoba further said that since a recommendation that May withdraw defamation lawsuits against members of the clergy who made the allegations against him is not a matter of canon law, and said he will refer the matter to him.
He said the church will not release certain annexes of the report since they contain evidence from individuals who were guaranteed confidentiality, and contain unsubstantiated allegations of clergy misconduct, including sexual abuse, infidelity and mismanagement.
“I am particularly impressed with the task team’s proposals for training and education for the sake of the Gospel and God’s people in the medium and long term. The team’s work has been very helpful in providing us a mirror reflecting on how governance and mutual accountability are key, not only for the diocese of the Highveld, but as a key understanding of episcopal governance and theology for all of us,” he said.
