Mugabe to press Anglican Archbishop on homosexuality

The political challenges facing Williams in Zimbabwe make a change from his peaceful three-day stop in Malawi, where he celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of British missionaries and Christianity into the country.

Williams has for weeks sought a meeting with Mugabe, however on Sunday he had not received a firm answer about possible talks.

Part of William's intentions for a meeting are to discuss excommunicated bishop Nolbert Kunonga’s splitting of the Anglican community.

A backer of Mugabe, Kunonga has seized all of the church’s property in Harare, and moved to claim 3,800 properties in Zimbabwe and nearby countries.

A Mugabe spokesman told the Sunday Mail that if the President did meet with Williams, he would address the Archbishop’s stance on homosexuality.

Williams has struggled to maintain unity in the Anglican communion, as disagreements continue to brew over the ordination of female bishops in Britain and gay bishops in the United States.

The Church of England said in July that it was reviewing its approach to same-sex relationships. The issue has threatened to tear the church apart, especially in Africa, where views on homosexuality are often more conservative than in western countries.

Williams is expected to stay in Zimbabwe until Monday before heading to Zambia.