Friday, March 29, 2024

The Catholic church is not at loggerheads with Government-Cardinal Mazombwe

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Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe celebrating mass as a cadinal in Lusaka.

MEDARDO Cardinal Mazombwe says the Catholic church is not at loggerheads with Government and has no intention of differing with the authorities.

Cardinal Mazombwe said only a few individuals in the church are antagonising government and the church will not be distracted by the individuals in its mandate to do the will of God.

“There are certain individuals who have chosen to be what they are, no matter what you tell them. We will continue to preach love and those who have chosen not to follow God’s commandments will face God’s judgment,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.

He said this shortly after he conducted mass at Saint Faustina Catholic parish in Lusaka yesterday.

Cardinal Mazombwe said individuals in the church who may be perceived to be fighting Government may fall but the church will continue, as it is a creation of God.

Cardinal Mazombwe encouraged parishioners to show mercy to those who offend them.

And in a Homily earlier, Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia Nicola Girasoli said it is important for Christians to show tolerance and promote reconciliation.

“This can only come about when Christians exercise mercy and forgive those who offend them,” he said.

Ambassador Girasoli appealed to Christians to grow in mercy.

“Especially you parishioners, you really need to grow more and more in Christian mercy. To forgive as Christians means we are supposed to be ready to forget,” he said.

Before conducting mass, Archbishop Girasoli blessed the Garden of Hope containing a symbolic tomb for Jesus.

Those who attended the blessing of the garden included Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo of the Soli people of Lusaka province.

Last month, President Banda denied attacking the Catholic Church, saying the church is made up of individuals who support the party and others who do not support it.

President Banda, who was speaking in a message read for him at the ordination of the new Bishop of Mongu Evans Chinyemba, said at no time has he attacked the church and accusations that he is against Catholics are not true.

MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe recently announced that the MMD was ready and willing to dialogue with the Catholic church to iron out misunderstandings.

Major Kachingwe said the differences were not necessary as they could easily be resolved at a round table.

And KANYANTA KATONGO reports that St Ignatius Jesuit Community Superior Father Charles Chilinda has urged political parties to emulate President Banda’s stance of not attacking the church.

Fr Chilinda said yesterday that Mr Banda’s position is welcome because it is good for the maintenance of peace and unity. He also said it is important for political parties to reconcile and pave way for development.

Fr Chilinda was speaking in an interview yesterday after mass at St Ignatius parish in Lusaka where he read the pastoral letter issued by Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu last month.

It was agreed that the letter would be read in all Catholic parishes on ascension Sunday which fell yesterday.

Fr Chilinda said the church would continue preaching peace, love and unity.

“I urge politicians to reconcile as a sign of peace and unity. Reconciliation and forgiveness is the only medicine for peace and unity,” he said.

Fr Chilinda said the church exists to promote a strong relationship with Government and that the Catholic church will voice its opinion but will not side with any political party as it stands for truth and love.

The pastoral letter said, among other things, that the Catholic teaching does not promote homosexuality because the act is unchristian.

“Homosexual acts are seriously wrong and sinful. Under no circumstances can homosexual acts be approved,” he said.

The letter said the fact that the Catholic Church makes a distinction between the homosexual act and homosexual orientation or inclination does not amount to promoting homosexuality.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

26 COMMENTS

  1. pf cadres should masturbate PEACE at all times & should avoid using the catholic church for political campaigns

  2. Apologise to the Catholic Priests instead of antagonising the matter. See now what “Smart Dora Siliya” has brought Rupiah and MMD. Things are not good for MMD.
    MMD is nothing compared to the Catholic Church,MMD will go and the Catholic Church will remain.
    The ZEC Bishops letter will continue being read in all Catholic Congregations.
    WAPSYA MUNZI, WINA AZALILA.

  3. The Cardinal should not be in denial or pretend to be. The rift between the Government and the Catholic church is real and it has been caused by some irresponsible bishops and priests. The church and the Cardinal has failed to denounce these wolves in sheep skin because the Catholic church feels it should be the king maker. What cheek! what makes them think that they can speak for the majority Zambians when they are only three million (if not by register only). Indeed there are some well meaning Catholic church members who have denounced the hate preaching prelates.

  4. We luv de catholic church which is under persecution by mmd’s znbc’s public media for speakin 4many voices whic ar cryin out bt not head, hweva wen zec whispers rb is aware. Bravo 2 de true church!!! Amen

  5. #4…. One wonders ,when millions of innocent boys are sodomised by catholic priests, why the catholic church doesnt own up.

  6. MK it is no every CATHOLIC. Your insults to Catholic Church is born out of hate and politically motivated. The church still denounces and has discommunicated those who have commited these crimes that are not in line with the church. MMD has the the ruling part has the mandate to listen to the people with different views. The Catholic Church will never be destroyed by any person because this is a church which was started by God himself. To be a leader or ruler it is God given and failure to do what God has given you to benefit the poor, needy, oppressed and margilised is tantamount to insult God. lUCK are those who are poor in the hearts nas mind. The church will continue to speak for the poor and for social justice. No matter which party or govt if they fail to look after the poor.

  7. How do you give geysers to the suffering people of Mandevu? Is Rupiah telling us that after analysing the problems and challenges facing our people, particularly the people of Mandevu, a geyser is what turned out to be a priority?

    “Is he honestly telling us that a geyser is what he found to be the most sought-after service in Mandevu? Has he taken time to inquire if at all the greater population of this area even has access to running water? Why doesn’t he work to improve the water and sanitation challenges in Mandevu and other townships in the country where our MPs have been trying so hard to rectify? This sort of desperation is unimaginable. Don’t be surprised to see Rupiah promising a pontoon to Kabwata, forgetting that there is no river in Kabwata.”

  8. # 3 – I like your views. Some priests like father Bwalya have caused mess in Catholic Church.
    As Cardinal Mazombwe puts it, some priests and Bishops are difficult to advise.

  9. #1 uleke uku tumpa we chisoso chambwa, ka tankamanine uko we chifututu, te papa, ba ka folesha bobe uno muku tule balongesha!! Pasopo Kwa mukolo!! Pa bwatooo fyeeeee!!!

  10. Pali Linyungandabo bafana Zambia army sikuzionesa onesa but kuba letele Janjaweed saizi yabo, it is hiding ta” – THE United Nations is investigating Zambian peacekeepers in Sudan’s Abyei region that allegedly hid in the barracks for two days instead of carrying out their mandate of protecting civilians during clashes between the north and south over the disputed oil-rich territory.

  11. Father Bwalya and Telephone Mpundu are but the hide under the catholic church when confronted. So bishop should speak these chaps before making any prononcements.

  12. #Braggadacio#, This is a civilised debate about the prophetic role of the Church in society, but for you it is an opportunity for insults. Sorry Sir, but Sata akapona.

    As for our priests, they were not trained to be economists and when they make mistakes in their comments I think there should be room to answer and explain to them with moderation and submission as Christians.

  13. Iwe chi number 8 chi Dont Ask, Dont Tell, Dont Kubeba,

    The point about solar geysers is about saving energy. The same is being promoted in every progressive country that is moving to green technology. It is actually called technology transfer. I saw it is the case even in South Africa. the fact that it was promoted and demonstrated in Mandevu does not imply it belongs to Mandevu. It is a genuine call for all Zambians able to use it to shift to energy saving measures, other than relying on ZESCO and reduce frequency of load shedding.

  14. # 9 MWISHO, when Cardinal Mazombwe said some individuals do not listen no matter how you advise, he was actually referring to George Kunda and Shikapwasha. Kunda was advised not to continue with the flopped constitution process, but he never listened. Shikapwasha was advised to stop abusing the public media and apologise for his attacks on the Catholic, but he never listened. These are the individuals in the Govt destined to face the wrath of GOD. Ukwali nsoke…..

  15. The whole incident is a scandal. What a joke, why follow sinners, I am sick and tired of having these Clergy men that make political statemnets. Stick to your knitting anyone? Ofcourse we all bound to repect the Churches, but why dont they have a representative where the Information is more credible and adds weight to their statements, too many Bishops, Priests yapping. My Scottish fiance and myself were discussing and we were laughing like hyenas. A Joke Thanks

  16. cardinal mazombwe is correct to say some priests are difficault to advice because they have chosen the path of politics of insults and supporting the PF.I wonder why some priests can not concetrate on preaching and quietly advice government than joining in insults such that its hard to differentiate between a priest and a politician.Political parties should speak to their members to tone down their language as they adress priests and priests on the other hand should not publicly take sides as the case in our country but take an advisory position to all political parties

  17. # 19 who told u that politics doesnt belong to the church or men of God?do u understand the word politics?a politician is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making.u can add the rest

  18. Why is the Cardinal in denial is anybody’s guess! Ba Cardinal needs to be excussed. He may be looking at things diffrently for obvious reasons:ie friendship, kinship but not in REALITY.

  19. Cardinal Mazombwe is a lonely honest Priest. His efforts to unite Catholics are frustrated by his colleagues who devote their time to promote tribalism and Gay Rights. All legal institutions (PF, Churches, Universities, Law Association etc) operate in line with their constitutions. Any member who acts outside norms of his/her institution is severely disciplined publicly. But, what did the Catholic Church do when Fr. Bwalya went wild to insult RB’s marriage to Thandiwe? Further, a biblic Command states that “Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery”. If a married man is a homosexual why should a Vatican Envoy confer human rights medals to a Gay activist in the light of the above Commandment. Does the Catholic Church appreciate the plight of wives of Gay-men? Storirs of child abuse are abundant.

  20. Catholic are now initiating school children in “god” know what . At ichengelo convent school in mpika a father in entourage of know satanist are believed to initiated the whole bunch of school children. what a shame , parent send chilldren to learn not to be initiated

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