EASTERN Province Minister Malozo Sichone has condemned Grand Coalition comprising of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and political party members for using the church to achieve a secret agenda.
Mr Sichone said the church should always play the role of uniting the people instead of taking part in such situations.
He said what transpired at St Atanazio Catholic Church in Chipata on Saturday where opposition political parties, the churches and CSOs met to hold what he termed a secret prayer meeting was not good.
Mr Sichone said the Government was not informed about the prayer meeting which he said it was not healthy for the peaceful country like Zambia.
The minister said the CSOs should come out in the open and state clearly what they hope to achieve over secret meetings they were holding with opposition leaders.
“It is very unfortunate that they went into a church to pray for the immediate release of the constitution and as far as I am concerned the church should not accept to be used by the CSOs and politicians,” he said.
He said holding what he termed as dark corner meetings to push the Government to release a final draft constitution was not a solution but dialogue between the Government and CSOs was the best.
He said the constitution should not be driven by people with terrible ideas.
During prayer meeting Grand Coalition member Andrew Ntewewe said people were demanding for the new constitution because President Michael Sata promised Zambians to deliver a new constitution within 90 days after getting into power.
Mr Ntewewe said that Mr Sata also assured people through the National Assembly that the draft constitution would be adopted through a national referendum.
And Caritas Chipata Director Fr. Vincent Daka said more freedom was needed for Zambians and that this could only be achieved with a good constitution in place.
Fr Daka pointed out that freedom could be manipulated if a constitution was not very clear.
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Representative, Bishop William Banda stated that people were concerned with what was happening in the nation.
Bishop Banda stated that the gathering should not be misunderstood as the clergy speak for the voiceless for justice.
Meanwhile Chipata Central Member of Parliament Reuben Mtolo Phiri said promises made before the people should be fulfilled at all costs.
Its the responsibility of the church to gather to pray for anything that affects the welfare of the people.
Which theological school has the minister gone to lecture theologians on what topic to discuss? Can sex, Culture, tradition be discussed in church? can economics, good governance be discussed in church? I think if it is not your earlier its better to keep your mouth shut or you will expose your dullness
Some people are using the church to launch political battles. This can be likened to what happened in Iraq during the war with USA. Some terrorist groups used to hide among civilians (mostly women and children) and then fired missiles at the Americans. When the Americans fired back and killed the civilians, people started complaining against the Americans. Remember also the BIGOCA incident in Matero. collateral damage!
Is it Maloza Sichone?