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The Rhodesia Herald, 23 December, 1969
THE Anglican Church in Rhodesia is to drop references to the Queen and Royal Family from its Book of Common Prayer, and replace them by prayers for those in authority “in this land”.
The new version of the Church’s “State prayers” — which will be used from January 1 — does not, however, refer specifically to any Head of State in Rhodesia.
A joint statement issued by the Bishop of Mashonaland, the Rt. Rev. Paul Burrough, and the Bishop of Matabeleland, the Rt. Rev. Kenneth Skelton, says that while scripture commands that Christians should pray for their rulers, “it is clearly undesirable that political controversy should intrude into the prayers of the Church.”
The statement adds: “Therefore, while holding the right of every clergyman and congregation to pray and to bid prayers for people and causes as they will, we now direct that formal prayers for rulers should be in a more general form than those used at present.”
On the timing of the amendments, the bishop said: “We have long been conscious of the situation in this country, and we have timed it (the change) with regard to the beginning of a new year.
“It is quite clear, too, for all sorts of reasons that one would never want to act under duress.”
In Malawi and Zambia, the State prayers had already been altered to refer to the Heads of State.
Asked why the amendments contained no specific reference to a Rhodesian Head of State, the bishop said: “We have adopted the attitude that kings, queens and presidents come and go, but the Church goes on forever.”
Instead of “O Lord, save the Queen” in the morning and evening prayer, there will be, “O Lord be gracious unto our land.”
In the Communion prayer, the reference to “Elizabeth our Queen” will read “authority in this land.”
Two optional State prayers for the Royal Family and the British Commonwealth have been cut, and a “suggested alternative” refers to “all who bear rule in this and other lands.”
The only other Church in Rhodesia still to pray formally for the Queen is the Methodist Church, which belongs to the British Conference.
The Methodist Church General Superintendent, Rev. Andrew Ndhlela said yesterday: “We have been thinking about what to do if there is a republic, but we have not made any decision yet.”
Spokesman for the Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian Churches said that they had no set forms for praying for national leaders, but did so in circumstances, such as when a Head of State was ill.
The only reference to a Head of State in the Roman Catholic liturgy is in the Good Friday service. A Church spokesman said yesterday that now the Queen was prayed for in this service.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
This is one of the many historical pieces that show the rift between the British government and Ian Smith after the Unilateral Declaration of Independence. It was deep-rooted, more so when Rhodesia was turning into a republic, to demonstrate that it was independent from the monarchy.
In pre-colonial and post-colonial times, the power of the Church in governance matters is quite evident. Is the voice of the Church a game changer even today?
Some schools of thought argue that churches have always been used as pawns in the power matrix, considering that they are private voluntary organisations.
But, there are churches that have been consistent in praying for the country’s political leadership based on what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
For historical information contact:
Zimpapers Knowledge Centre at Herald House on:
+263 8677 004323;
+263 0242 795771
E-mail: [email protected]
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter