MASERU – The Anglican Church of Lesotho (ACL) Bishop Dr. Vicentia Refiloe Kgabe says, it is true that the church is on M5 million debt.
The Seventh first woman Bishop who was consecrated a few years ago succeeding the late Bishop Mallane Taaso indicated she fears for the Lesotho diocese.
“A debt of this nature could mean, the Lesotho diocese would end up losing a Bishop, thus having to be under Free State or any other,” she stressed.
Dr. Kgabe stipulated the debt is a result of a number of instances including past well known instabilities within the ACL. Though she could not go in details, she pointed that the debt amount also entails that of tax belonging to Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL).
To this, she allayed fears of congregants, stressing the church is engaged on a number of activities meant to redress the situation including the recent meeting with congregants at St. Johns Parish, Mafeteng, where over M11 000 was collected, part of it to pay this debt.
Meanwhile, the Agency has learnt the Church’s Council is inviting professionals within the church who would otherwise partake in an indept analysis and exercise on other mechanisms to be used in collecting funds.
On one hand, ACL authorities believe the annual Masite Pilgrimage coming up in October which had recorded over M200 000 last could also be used as a mechanism to collect more funds to address the challenge.
However, some Christians who opted for anonymity want indepth investigations initiated by DCEO pertaining to what they tame alleged corruption that has since and by past Leaders prevailed within the church in order to put this matter to rest.
ACL is reported to be the largest third denomination after Lesotho Evangelical Church of Southern Africa (LECSA) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) respectively.
ENDS/AM
