HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- The head of the worldwide Anglican
church, in a meeting with Zimbabwe's longtime ruler, has criticized
abuse and intimidation against his church's worshippers in the southern African country.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is paying a two-day visit to Zimbabwe. After the meeting, he said that President Robert Mugabe told him he was not familiar with the scale of the intimidation mentioned.

The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been divided since a breakaway bishop, Nolbert Kunonga, was excommunicated in 2007 for inciting violence in sermons supporting Mugabe's party. But Kunonga says he left the Anglican church because of its position on
same-sex marriages. Mugabe is a bitter critic of homosexuality.

Excommunicated bishop Kunonga's followers have seized the country's main cathedral and bank accounts. His followers also have
taken control of an orphanage, and evicted nuns and priests who do
not recognize Kunonga. The schism in the church has left mainstream Anglicans without places to worship.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)