A ROMAN Catholic Church priest in Kitwe on Sunday advised former Radio Icengelo station manager Frank Bwalya to stop using the Church for his political messages but was jeered by supporters of the outspoken priest.
St Francis Wusakile Parish priest Justin Chimba said clergymen were not supposed to be actively involved in politics because they were destroying their calling of preaching salvation.
During Sunday mass. Father Chimba advised Father Bwalya to reconsider his position after he informed the Church members that he would hold a public meeting later that day at the church hall.
Fr Chimba was jeered by some supporters of the outspoken clergyman as he advised his colleague.
He called on fellow clergymen to desist from involvement in active politics because they risked losing respect from the public.
There was confusion as the congregants taunted Fr Chimba and it took some time for the jeering to stop.
Some parishioners said it was sad that such commotion took place in Church during mass.
Despite the jeering, Fr Chimba stood firm and said Christians who were encouraging clergymen to indulge in active politics were misleading them.
“As clergymen, we could be made into good leaders or bad leaders depending on what we get from our fellow Christians, so it is imperative that we are careful and remain focused. Christians who are encouraging clergymen to indulge in politics are not helping them in any way, they are merely misleading them,” he said.
When asked to react to the advice by Fr Chimba, Fr Bwalya said he had nothing to say.
“No comment, but I hope you will not highlight the negative things said about me and leave the positive response I received from some people,” he said.
Some members of the congregation expressed mixed feelings over what had happened during the service as well as the involvement of clergymen in active politics.
Faith Moyo said she did not support the humiliation Fr Chimba suffered at the hands of some congregants.
She also said the active participation of some clergymen in politics was only serving to tarnish their image.
Ms Moyo said it was sad that such an incident took place in the Catholic Church, where discipline was always upheld.
“To start with, I didn’t see any reason why some people decided to boo our priest for advising Fr Bwalya to desist from indulging in politics because that was wise advice.
“I am among those Catholics who do not support clergymen involving themselves in politics because once a clergyman engages in politics, he will lose respect from the people,” she said.
But other members said clergymen had the right to discuss and take part in national affairs, but they should have respect for people in power.
“Even though clergymen sometimes can talk about politics, they should be able to respect those in authority, instead of just saying anything which comes to their mind.
“It is because of the bad language that comes from some clergymen that makes people lose confidence in them,” he said.
Times of Zambia
This is very sad. The church should respect diverse views. Booo and cheeers are mob psychological tactics and not in church.
Priests should not use the pulpit to attach each other talk to one another in private and not pulpit
this is very sad indeed.
if the church can do this,then who are the role models??????;));));))
I am very disappointed by this Fr. Justin Chimba. I wonder where and what kind of Priestly formation he got. If he had genuine concerns over Fr. Frank Bwalya, he would have gone to him personally and talk to him as a brother. And being the parish priest, he should just have refused permission to hold such a meeting within Church premises. It is Fr. Frank who asked for permission, not the people, so I do not understand why Fr. Chimba should tell the people during Mass about the role of a Priest in Politics. A Zambian priest who has undergone formation at Mpima major seminary and St. Dominic’s Major Seminary would not do what this Fr. Chimba did. Or even any catholic priest would not do that unless there is something terribly wrong with him.
I advise Fr. Chimba to revise his Studies in Philosophy ( sections of Platonic Philosophy, Understanding Political Philosophy and Politics, Contemporary Philosophy, etc.) He needs to refine his concept of ‘priests in politics vis-a-vis salvation of people’. Let him also look again at the Social Teachings of the Church. This the first time to hear a catholic priest attack a fellow priest on the pulpit! unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#3,4 Whats wrong with you I honestly thought people on the street are the ones who should be thinking like that. imagine If supporters of MMD went infront and made their announcement and UNIP did the same. Do u know the kind of confusion of which would be caused in the church.I don t want to judge but You sound like One who has nothing to loose. I will have a lot to loose if the church went in frames and indeed my beloved Zambia
Catholic church is a joke!
I agree with # 5. The forum was not right and you put the reputation and moral authority at risk when the Church is used as a place of political confrontation. I dont think father Bwalya should use the Church to promote his message of ” change or die”. He is actually doing some damage to the Catholic church
Ati ‘“No comment, but I hope you will not highlight the negative things said about me and leave the positive response I received from some people,” . The man learns fast – proper politician!
But first its wrong to attack a fellow prist in church. He knows where to fing Fr bwalya.
Shame on Fr. Chimba
While Fr. Bwalya may have been wrong to make his ‘campaigns’ in the church, Fr Chimba should have talked to him outside the hearing of the congregants and ask him to cancel the proposed meeting. It’s maturity in leadership. Now the congregants will start taking sides even when the clergy ‘reconcile’. I find it unfortunate and hope it ends here
If the opposite happened ie if the 2 Priests did not disagree LT would not have reported this item. The Catholics are just like any other Church, it is composed of human beings who can have diverse ideas and leanings.The aim of publishing this item is to show that percieved enemies of the MMD are falling a part. It is not news worthy bana.
#5 Please state exactly what you do not agree with on #3, 4.
This is what happens when the shepherds abandon the flock in search of the dollar by forming NGIs in the name of the people. God will certainly visit his wrath on you ba DELETED WORD
fr chimba,dont waste your energy advising those people in c/b.they use their buttocks to think.to the bwalya’s antics makes him a hero.infact maybe all them dont even know betrand aristide is
Fr Chimba-you should have discussed the matter with Fr Bwalya in private as priests always do. You have no one to blame but yourself for what happened during mass, you should have known better than to use a homily to start an issue of this magnitude. Go talk to Fr Bwalya in person and apologise to the parishoners
I JUST WANTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SATA WILL BE ORDAINED ARCH-BISHOP OF MPIKA ….AND THEY ARE CRYING FOUL…STUPID PRIESTS.
:)>-
The reaction in that parish reflects the people’s feelings. If the supported this Chimba chap, they would have applauded him, but he was booed. Muweleni, wee.
Father Bwalya was unwise to use a Church Worship Service to announce the Rally, especially knowing fully well that the Church is a family that accommodates people from different political and social affiliations.
On the other hand, Father Chimba who was the presiding minister at Mass had the authority and responsibility to protect the whole flock.
How does he respond? Let us put it this way, how would you respond if a very close family friend, or a very close member of your family was uttering words or acting in a manner that could easily mislead, corrupt or divide your children?
Isn’t the private approach to public misconduct the very reason why the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican is being roasted? Mistakes that are made publicly must be dealt with publicly to avoid gossip.