THE Catholic Church in Zambia does not support the Patriotic Front (PF) or any political party and will not allow any politician to ascend to public office using the name of the church, Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu has said.
He said the Catholic faithful would instead be encouraged to vote for candidates who would contribute positively and effectively to national development regardless of their political affiliation.
In a letter addressed to MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba, dated March 15, 2010, Archbishop Mpundu said the Catholic Church leaders were not “king makers” and had never told their followers which political party, presidential or parliamentary candidate to vote for.
“Nobody, therefore, has ever ridden, can or will ever ride to Manda Hill (National Assembly) or to Plot number 1 (State House) on the back of the Catholic Church either by playing a ‘Catholic Card’ or maligning the Catholic Church.
“All we tell the Catholic faithful is to vote for candidates they are reasonably sure will contribute positively and effectively to national development regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.
What the Zambian people wanted was a president who would be the choice of the majority of voters in a free, fair and transparent election.
He said there was a diversity of political opinions and affiliation in the Catholic Church, which the leaders encouraged, cherished and of which they were proud.
“Among your party members are found many Catholics like yourself, some of whom are senior members of the Cabinet.
“Naturally there are also some Catholics who belong to other political parties, this is healthy and that is what it should be.”
Archbishop Mpundu said what should unite Zambians was not religion, tribe or race but their common values, heritage, destiny and human solidarity.
The letter was in response to Dr Kalumba’s concern over statements by a PF Copperbelt Province youth secretary that the PF would provide security to a Ndola Catholic Diocese priest, Augustine Mwewa and the church in general following perceived threats from some MMD members.
According to the letter, the Catholic Church did not need any special security and had never accepted any offer of such security from anybody as the PF cadre was alleged to have discussed on a radio station.
The prelate also said he had never belonged to any political party and would never join partisan politics.
Archbishop Mpundu said the Catholic bishops, priests or religious brothers and sisters drove themselves everywhere they went, including remote places, without body guards.
“Whenever we avail ourselves of the services of private security firms on Church premises it is to guard Church property, not to protect the bishops or clergy from political violence.
“We still have a good deal of confidence in the ability of the Zambia Police Service, notwithstanding their many challenges, to protect the public which we are part of,” he said.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has described as wishful thinking PF president Michael Sata’s claim that his party has gained popularity in the province.
Mr Munkombwe said PF, even after getting into a pact with the United Party for National Development (UPND), had not made any inroads into Southern Province as claimed by Mr Sata.
Mr Munkombwe said in an interview yesterday that the PF-UPND pact had actually cost it popularity in the province.
He said Mr Sata was a man who thought he could control everyone, hence his statement that his party had gained the support of the Southerners.
[Times of Zambia]
Ba Mpundu, I think you are being dragged into pilitics for nothing just because MMD “thinks” in their sick minds that they have fallen out of favour with the catholics. They attack the head of Catholic Church. It wont work. Ask KK. He is around to remind them that playing with fire.
Bishop Mpundu at pains and now fosaking his brother-in-lwa Serpent Cobra Satan of PF. Bishop Mpundu should be sincere and come out in the open some of his priests are heard preaching sunday mass refering to certain political parties as better than the kwangalaz ruling us, MMD. The bishop knows the reason why his against the ruling MMD and unlike his cosmetic argument put forth. The catholic church position has been repositioned as they catholic are being treated like any other church unlike before. They are now one of the churches and the treatment by government is as such. All churches must be treated equal.
That is the best you can do Archbishop.Distance yourself from Sata and be as neutral as is required of you.
Thanks Archbishop Mpundu, but the u-turn is rather unbelievable I just wished it was not reported on this day.
On the other hand, he probably has reflected on the damage that he has done to his church, or he has been cautioned quietly by the Vatican or the genuine and apolitical flock. We right thinking Zambians will remain vigilant though.
At the expense of the Catholic Church, this man has been used as a mop rag by Fred M’membe to vainly image build embattled Sata. By doing so, he has desecrated his faith, the doctrine of his Church and done more historic damage to the Catholic never seen before. He has no moral face value to be anything any more excerpt to quit or denounce his marriage with PF.It will take a lot of humility and curving to do the damage control.
The U-turn is welcome, it goes a long way towards reassuring us the faithful that the Archbishop means well and is not a tool for his brother in law.Mr Sata. Next step must be to encourage all the Priest nationwide to route their views through the Zambia Episcopal Conference whose Chairman is Bishop George Lungu. Even if it means the issuance of several Pastoral letters that will be fine as it will be done systematically. The last thing is to ask the faithful in Kapoto Parish where ex- Father Bwalya and his mother have been based to accept the new Parish Priest. Also advise all these Priests to remember that as we celebrate the Year of the Priests this year they must always remember their human conscience which is the cornerstone of our Catholic faith!
You have spoken the truth Bishop but MMD Hooligans will still find fault with you as usual.We the people will vote and not the Church.
Ba Daniel dont be blind to reality.Own up and the sooner you accept the MMD is losing popularity, the better for you in Southern Province.Watch out coz the Pact vehicle is speeding past you
Bishop nshi-Mpundu. Tell that to your brother-in-law he does”t know.Next time you are addressing a press conference don”t use AMAPINDA IN THE QUEENS LANGUAGE. YOU KAPONYA CHILDREN WILL MISSUNDERSTAND YOU. For now, I wish you good fools day bashikopu?
Only eight comments on this one, where are you hiding ba PF? Don’t be taken aback, that is the way a man of the robe should lead his flock. If that is genuine ba Archbishop Mpundu, we forgive and forget. This weekend is appropriate for that.
OK, I know that Mpundu has been outspoken against corruption and rot (perceived or true, I don’t know) in the government. What I do not remember is actually him saying that his flock should vote for PF. Did he say that somewhere and I missed it somehow? I also have not heard about Catholic priests in Lusaka (where Mpundu is bishop) being vocal against the president and government. Instead, the priests that seem to be in the news frequently are on the Copperbelt, and the Catholic Bishop there is Alick Banda. So how about blaming Alick Banda for failing to control his priests. Coz as far as I know, the priests in Ndola Diocese (Copperbelt) are answerable to Bishop Alick Banda, while those in Lusaka Archdiocese are answerable to Archbishop Mpundu. Or is Mpundu an easier target?