The SDA Church in Zambia has defended President Hakainde Hichilema for meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican last week.
In a statement released to the media, the Church also clarified that the purported SDA Pastor who went viral on social media, condemning the visit, is no longer a member of the church.
The joint statement by the two Presidents of the governing bodies of the SDA Church in Zambia said that the man ceased to be a member of the church due to his extremist views and criticism of the church.
And Government has said that it is concerned with remarks by some members of the public on social media platforms criticizing the President’s recent meeting with the Pope at the Vatican.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda said that the remarks are unfair and unwarranted.
Ms Kasanda stressed that President Hakainde Hichilema did not visit the Vatican as an Adventist but as a Head of State whose citizens belong to various religious persuasions including Catholics.
She says President Hichilema is a President for all Zambians, who belong to different denominations.
Ms Kasanda, who is also Information and Media Minister, says the President has a duty to promote religious liberties of all the citizens of Zambia.
She said that government also wished to state that the President did not travel to the Vatican on a religious mission but on a diplomatic mission to strengthen relations that have existed between Zambia and the Vatican and the footprint of these relations are visible in any sectors key among them education and health.
In a statement to the media , Ms Kasanda said alot of catholic schools and hospitals dotted in the remotest parts of the country are touching many lives.
She said the President and the people of Zambia at large appreciate these facilities that the Catholic church has continued to provide for the benefit of the people of Zambia hence the visit to the Vatican.
Ms Kasanda said the President’s visit to the Vatican comes against a backdrop of Government’s re-introduction of free education in which the Catholics continue to play a key role especially in the lives of the disadvantaged children in the rural parts of Zambia.
She said under the leadership of President Hichilema, Christian values and principles remain well entrenched and supportive of diverse religious beliefs as provided for in the constitution.
Ms Kasanda said President Hichilema swore to uphold the constitution which includes religious liberties.
She, therefore, said the remarks by some members of the public are a gross mis-information and misrepresentation of the President’s meeting with the Pope.
Meanwhile, Ms Kasanda said government wishes to reiterate that President Hichilema did not hold any meeting to discuss gay rights during his visit to the United States of America in September last year.
She said Zambia is a Christian nation and, therefore, gay rights have no place in this nation.
Ms Kasanda said the Constitution is clear on issues of gay rights which is outlawed in the country.
She said the continued allegations on this matter are malicious and unfounded and urged members of the public to ignore these allegations.
Herein lies the difference between Muslims and Christians. Muslims are one while Christians are in denominations and shades, who can easily disfellowship their members at whim.
Some Christians put it that political leaders are untouchables and spiritual leaders are dispensable.
LT, you can moderate as you wish, but my comment above is innocent and flawless.
How does the story change from SDA Church to Chushi Kasanda? Whatever is written in this article was said by the Church and NOT the her. She stole their content. Plagiarism at its best. A government spokesperson who couldn’t say anything until the church said something.
Very soon he will be visiting the LGTB whatsoever!!!! And of course as the song goes we shouldn’t say anything!
Unfortunately church doctrines do not have exemptions. God will punish us for who we are and not who we represent. By the way, is it ok to have a prayer to God at spiritual traditional ceremony where we thank our ancestors for the harvest. Just thinking.
This is an emotive matter for 7th Day Adventists. Although this is not widely taught in recent times, their founder Ellen G White taught that the papacy is the Anti- Christ. Its no surprise the church is eager to separate HH actions as an Adventist and HH the head of state.
Religion is the root of all evil, wars are started over religion just let people pick and believe in whoever they wish.
THE PASTOR HO CONDEMNED HH IS NOT STATED. ALSO THE ONE WHO SPOKE TO DEFEND THE CHURCH IS NOT MENTIONED. THIS IS NOT REPORTING BUT JUST OPINIONS OF SOMEONE.
There are people who describe the reasoning by a good number among Zambians as below average for if one starts lumping criticism for the visit with the Pope who also is the head of state called Vatican they really are of below average intelligence! Only the true Christians and believers appreciate when politicians visit with the religious leaders! The govrnment spqokesperson was being polite to even explain!
Pastor God bless you for being attack for truth sake, the bible says rejoice because your reward is great. The man of sin, the antichrist ( the papacy) knows that he has but a short time so these are what is expected of to happen to true Seventh Day Adventist. God is with you Pastor, being part of the general conference doesn’t make you an SDA but standing up for the truth makes you one. Dont forget Jesus was delivered up by the chucrh so fear not brother, The Lord is with you.