The MMD on the Copperbelt have appealed to newly appointed Radio Icengelo station manager, Wilbroad Mwape, to preach peace and reconciliation in the country instead of pursing a political agenda like his predecessor, Father Frank Bwalya.
MMD Ndola district information and publicity vice secretary, Alex Mubanga said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that it was not encouraging to note that Fr Mwape has already allegedly started getting involved in politics, despite the earlier advice given to him by the Ndola Dioceses vicar-general to speak against injustices.
“We are getting worried as a party in the district because Fr Mwape has already started behaving like his predecessor Fr Frank Bwalya in terms of speaking against Government leaders. Let him play his role as a priest and station manager and not getting involved in politics,” Mr Mubanga said.
He said the party would not entertain Fr Mwape to attack Government leaders unnecessarily like his predecessor.
Mr Mubanga said the Catholic Church should play its role of preaching peace and love among political leaders for the benefit of the country.
“Our appeal to Fr Mwape is not to be swayed by politics and attacks on Government but to use the church and the radio station to preach peace and love among politicians for the benefit of the country,” he said.
Mr Mubanga said the people on the Copperbelt hoped that the radio station’s new manager would not pursue a political agenda like his predecessor, but would use the station for the benefit of the Catholic Church and the community in the province.
He was reacting to Fr Mwape’s calls on Vice-President George Kunda to resign for allegedly having supported Ms Siliya’s alleged abuse of office.
Fr Mwape said Mr Kunda should resign on moral grounds for having defended Ms Siliya who was later found to have breached the constitution by the tribunal set up to investigate the alleged abuse of office.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Let him have his free air space it is called freedom of speech, why do we have to be facing UNIP era politics in the twenty first century. Our voices must be heard. Advise Teta and Mulongoti to do the same then. Our new minister of information, where are the opposition party leaders to speak on behalf of the people HUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MMD should leave the media alone. This is intimidation. Anyone can pursue political Agendas if they are up to it. Situational democracy.
Be objective and please dont be used by partisan forces but buy people.Thats what our church stans for.
Honestly the Church is loosing direction, they can contribute but politics and holiness dont go together. I think they can be allowed to speak out but the big issue is there political affiliation. For as long as the Church is seen to favours a party its criticism of the government will lose meaning. They will become like cahtter boxes for the opposition without them even knowing it.
#3 should read”by and not buy”
#1 Mwanawakwitu
Its the Church we are talking about here you can not compare teta to a man of God (preist). The church has its role in society and one of them is not to get political
When its against MMD the church is opposed, when its against the opposition their media makes a headline in praise. “Apakomaila nondo, ninshi pali ubulema”.MUBANGA says the church should be preaching peace and love among politicians. What place does peace and love have in a land where you can not speak against injustice? Double mouthed Mubanga. Just advise your fellow MMD members to behave and all this will be gone. THAT’S THE WAY WISE PEOPLE FIGHT BACK.
Freedom of speech!! If MMD is working to develop and unite this nation then they surely have nothing to fear. Radio fimo fimo happens to be a pain in MMD’s AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Tame the buggger as well if he is believed to have a hidden agenda.by the way are all priests in the copperbelt from one tribe.or may the post of icengelo station manager is coverted for the bembas
“Fi MMD” watch out. Don’t politicise radio Icengelo. Just because father Bwalya went too far beyond does not mean that you will have your way to silence the mouth piece of the voiceless when they comment on some of your unjust and shocking activities. The church will not keep quiet on obvious bad things committed by pipo regardless of their political affiliation (especially by those in power as they are mandated to look after the country accordingly). “Alllllaaaaa imwe!”
#6 C.I.A
one of the roles of the church is to preach good morals and preach against injustice. So where do you justify your point. Don’t just take the word politics and start dwelling on it forgeting what is involved. christ was preaching against the injustices of both man and the world at large, same to paul, moses, debora, etc. So, preaching good morals to politicians is part of the christian mission.
Woman of Substance your wisdom reminds me of a young lady called olympia Extension Chick! It is refreshing to know that there are more women of the Proverbs 31 nature blogging. Echoing your comment would be adding empty space to a supersatrated masterpiece; therefore I will direct traffic towards it. Greetings everyone.
#11
Like you said to Politicians my argument is that they show support for the other and try as much as possible to descredit the other. There teaching of morals against injustices is meaningless if they take sides and you have to be blind not to realise that the Church especialy on the copperbelt have been in support of a certain party. Ask father Mear we all want change should anything else other than electing a new government for change where do you expect ppl to run to??? are you going to say no because you are mmd or pf or upnd
No# 6 C.I.A my Brother/Sister how are you, let me start of by saying that I am a ferocious believer of the separation of Church and state; but with all my life I believe God should be with state. God and state yes, remove the religion for that is where the problem lies. They cannot quiet the voice of those priests if the opposition does not speak unanimously for their constituents. We all have the right to epress our views for the betterment of our people, and though young I am old enough to remember what UNIP did to our right to free speech. Do not get me wrong the overnment should mandate repectabe talk from its citizens, but do you honestly approve of the current goverment manpower, problem is most of them cannot articulate an issue to the public even when the are doing something right.
#14 Mwanawakwitu
I am your brother and i am from where you are from i agree that this government has failed in many areas you want the opposition to provide cheques and balances should the Church show support for a single party how do you think they will preach against injustices and the likes they will be the ones that put them there in the first place.
No# 6 C.I.A you and I and alot of the other bloggers want what is right for our country and its people. For the government is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.’
As was said by Abraham Lincoln. There nothing sweeter in human terms an true freedom with responsibilities. Let us imagine General Miyanda was a little more aggressive and recruited people of all ages packed with Wisdom, he would make a great president because of his moral stand; then the rest would apply their talents and Knowledge to build a new and glorious Zambia. 2001 we cried for him to master a little more push, but he choose the too meek approach, thus today we search for a suitable leader for our beloved country. We have more than seven million to choose from, from the ten million plus.
And one other thing freedom of speach does not mean that you can say whatever you feel like
Radio Icengelo is an independent entity from the MMD, therefore, that ndola district official should refrain from talking about Fr. Mwape…. That”s the archdiocese’s job!
No# 16 C.I.A I have always respected your comments on this blog. Infact I have commented on most hahahahahahaha. I shall return to that in a while. I should have commented after reading your comment on post no#15. Trust me I do not want any church or man of the cloth helping put a party into office for their own gain, because I know what the Catholics did in the crusades of the dark ages. Or what the protestant churches have done by not letting God’s true word be heard at times. God with state, like Israel before they had kings. Back to you, since you are where I am from, telll all those women chasing you to calm down; for the Tumbuka in you follows you everywhere hahahahahahahahaha. Oh! I used to go by truth, thanks for seeing things they way you do; Zambia shall be in safe hands.
#16
The key word being “responsibilities” you can speak your mind but your social standing should let you understand that you cant get too emotional which has been the case with fr Bwalya the same for President Banda. They let there emotions out at the wrong time on the the radio and at the cadre cathering. In my opinion you would say freedom of speach but again you question the ppl that did it and there standing in sociaty and if there was no better way to express there opinion.
The revolution will not be televised…or aired. Run MMD run, the tables have turned.
#17 C.I.A,
yes brother, I agre with you that freedom of speech does not mean that you can say whatever you feel like. but what is it that father mwape said which is in contradiction with freedom of speech? does this mean that freedom of speech wants us to choose who to criticise where morals are concerned?
Bwana truth i remember you i used to go by Uchipo during the elections
#16
No more women after me i have no chatup line LOL
This warning is a threat in disguise. What’s the use of having a sanctioned radio programme? And we call ourselves a democracy???
Bwana C.I.A, no wonder your commenting had that distinct precision. You were not part of the group that kept on emotionally crying for their beloved parties hahahahahahahahahaha, infact where are most of pre-election bloggers, have they changed names too? the likes of Ponyax, sony-ericsson, Dr. Maureen hahahahahahahaha. Uchipo what does that mean Adumbu?
I am of the view that if most bloggers here where put in a position of authority and power they would have a different point of view…
#26
I have no idea how i came up with that name to be honest but my current has a background Pnyax is still here under different names but you can tell by his postings same goes for the other guys.
am off for the blog for a while have to watch man united lose
Whatever happened to free speech…in a civilised society.
Okay British bloggers what channel on the net can I watch the premiership matches hahahahaha.
Its on Sentanta but try asiaplatetv . com / football . php
Ok, Now this sounds like a threat…
Channel google ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ok not watching anymore coz they are winning
NDOLA Catholic Diocese Bishop Noel O’Regan has stated that it is a scandal to see how close and comfortable the Pope’s representative in Zambia is with a corrupt and heedless regime. In a letter addressed to Fr Frank Bwalya over his removal as Radio Icengelo station manager and Ipusukilo Parish priest dated April 9, 2009 and obtained by The Post, Bishop O’Regan stated that he could not accept the diplomatic cosines that the Nuncio [Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli] displayed.
Bishop O’Regan encouraged Fr Bwalya to continue speaking on behalf of the poor as well as for justice and truth.
Below is the full version of the letter that Bishop O’Regan wrote to Fr Bwalya.
“Dear Father Frank,
I wish to thank and congratulate you for your management of Radio Icengelo and for your commitment to educating our people towards responsible political service. I also applaud your work for social and civic justice, integral areas of the Gospel message.
However, recent events, criticisms and rumours have brought the impartiality and non-partisan nature of Radio Icengelo into question. To protect its openness to the entire community, we have decided to ask you to stand down and to put in a new Station Manager.
I am sad to change you in this way as it shows a certain coldness of heart. I want to say that I support your message but it is your way of speaking that is incompatible with the nature of our radio station. I hope you will continue your campaign on…
hope you will continue your campaign on behalf of the poor and for justice and truth; but do this within the law. The Church needs you to continue; it is a scandal to see how close and comfortable the Holy Father’s Representative is with such a corrupt and heedless regime. Please don’t consider your position as a priest; if you leave it will be a great loss as you restore the confidence of people in the Church despite the silence and the acceptance of the situation by the Holy Father’s Representative.
We have appointed Fr Wilbroad Mwape as the new station manager and he will come to Kitwe early next week. I know that you will give him all the co-operation and advice necessary so that the transition shall be smooth and that Radio Icengelo shall continue to grow to meet the expectations of its listeners.
I ask you then to remain available at Radio Icengelo until the end of April. After that I agree with you that it would be a very good idea for you to go for a rest and some spiritual reflection and nourishment at Katibunga. We shall submit your name to the Diocese of Limburg for a scholarship for further studies. I was talking to Fr Misheck on the way home and he mentioned that you would like to do development studies. I am ready to listen to your preferences. There is great need for…
There is great need for a sociologist to investigate and examine so many situations of injustice and corruption in the Province; often we talk and spread stories which are merely the result of what we hear, not the result of study and research.
While you remain on in Radio Icengelo to help your successor, you will continue to be on the payroll and to have transport available.
Each one of us must accept responsibility for action to bring more peace, truth and justice into our community and country at large. I myself too have responsibility, alone as well as being a member of ZEC. I don’t know yet what position I should take but I am also considering my options. I cannot accept the diplomatic cosiness being displayed by the Nuncio. You have done so much to enunciate the position of the Church – by your recent detailed analysis of the Bishops’ Pastoral Letter – and now you seem to be punished for it. I am sorry that it has turned out this way. But please don’t give up; the Church needs you to continue speaking and fighting for the poor.
After that came this “Vatican envoy advises churches against partisan political debates”
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli has said churches should avoid any kind of involvement in partisan political debates.
And Archbishop Girasoli said Christians should prefer more the idea of promoting Zambia as a nation of Christians, instead of the idea of Zambia as a Christian nation.
During the National Day of the Holy See and Vatican which marks the 4th Anniversary of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI yesterday, Archbishop Girasoli said politics belong to politicians and more in general to the civil society.
“In social issues, churches should be the guardian of human rights, avoiding any kind of involvement in partisan political debates. Churches are called to promote, to protect and to defend human dignity. We all know that human rights are not negotiable: we can negotiate everything except human rights,” he said.
He said he was happy to say that the relations between Zambia and Pope Benedict XVI were good and cordial.
Archbishop Girasoli said all the institutional personalities at all levels in Zambia continue to acknowledge the great support that the Catholic Church offers to all Zambians, regardless of their religious affiliation, especially in the sectors of health and education.
“In fact, the Catholic Church in Zambia is well known for contributing towards the socio-economic needs of society as demonstrated by the high number of hospitals, clinics, hospices, schools of all grades [including the newly-established Zambian Catholic University in Kalulushi-Kitwe] especially in the rural and remote areas of the country. The Catholic Church is one of the major partners of the government in health and education development,” he said.
He said the church and the government had one common purpose, which was to serve the people although in a different way.
Archbishop Girasoli said different points of view, were always an enrichment for democracy and the best way to overcome differences and strengthen unity was to dialogue.
He said a true dialogue means to look forward and not to be restrained by the past.
“Zambia needs to look forward. This concretely means that the government and opposition parties, as well as the civil society in general, have to do their best to remove all kind of prejudices. In fact, with prejudices there is no dialogue, but only sterile talks,” he said, “We should mainly encourage dialogue in whatever form so that the culture of sharing knowledge can be developed in Zambia. That is why every initiative to dialogue should be welcomed.”
Archbishop Girasoli appealed to all political parties, the opposition, to civil society groups and the churches to never shun dialogue with the government and the public institutions.
“In fact only a stable political climate can foster economic growth and socio-cultural development. This also means that to acknowledge or to admit a mistake is never a sign of weakness, but always a sign of democracy and maturity,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the aim of the Catholic Church as well as of all the other Christian denominations and religious institutions was always to be the voice of voiceless, to be always on the side of those who are in need: the poorest, the homeless, the sick and to support those who have lost any hope for a better future.
He said churches would always remain a prophetical voice.
Archbishop Girasoli said as a sovereign moral power in the world, the Pope enjoyed international recognition by so many nations and different cultures.
Archbishop Girasoli said besides being the central government of the universal church, the Vatican plays an active role in the worldwide community of peoples and offers its genuine co-operation and partnership in various areas of international interest concerns.
“This is why we, as Christians, we should prefer more the idea of promoting Zambia as a nation of Christians, instead of the idea of Zambia as a Christian nation,” he said.
He said the poor as individuals and as peoples were never a burden, for a society or for a country, but they are respectful human beings.
Archbishop Girasoli said in the current delicate global financial crisis, everyone was called to form one family in which all individuals, peoples and nations model their behaviour according to the principles of fraternity and responsibility.
He said there was a need of a “global solidarity” between rich and poor countries, in order to avoid marginalisation.
Archbishop Girasoli said wealth creation in poor countries therefore becomes an inescapable duty.
“Especially we, as diplomats and representatives of our countries, are called to work in a special way to offer our tireless efforts for contributing to promote and to strengthen unity and solidarity in this beloved country of Zambia,” he said.
He said in relation with the government, the Catholic Church would like always to bring to national issues a constructive contribution in order to strengthen unity and peace in this country.
Archbishop Girasoli thanked President Rupiah Banda and his government for stating that they aim at reducing poverty and fighting corruption in Zambia.
He urged them to continue to put in place measures to achieve a more visible fight against corruption and for reduction of poverty as the best ways to promote an equitable development of the country
Archbishop Girasoli said this year marks the 20th anniversary of the official visit of Pope John Paul II to Zambia [May 2 t0 4 1989].
He said for this special occasion, I handed the Vatican Decoration of the Cross “Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice” to some distinguished missionaries and lay people from Mpika, Ndola and Lusaka as an honour granted to them by the Vatican for their dedicated work for the church and the people of Zambia.
Archbishop Girasoli expressed hope that the Roman Catholic Church – all her committed members and co-workers – together with other Christian denominations and all other religious Institutions, would continue to live and labour peacefully in Zambia for the benefit of all Zambian
Fr.Mwape is a human being as well.So he is speaking for his family and the voiceless in zed.Go Go man of God,MMD should feel the heat if they are not working.
RB today at 12:00 hrs was on a flight of angels instead on a big helicopter at the falls.
Always MMD
#36-50(Post On Ichegelo Saga )
If that letter is true and not a fabrication,then the Bishop should be disciplined accordingly within the church hierarchies for displaying double standards and disrepecting the views of His Holiness the Pope through his Ambassador, for we the catholics believe the Pope is Infallible.fr Bwalya’s was typical of those priests who have taken the church fot a ride to launch their political careers(the likes of Aristide,Fernando lugo e.t.c.) and fortunately the church is aware of such unscrupulous priests and thats why we have the Vatican Ambassador and not the Bishops, to see and report directly to His highness the stuation on the ground.
#53.The last sentence should read “His Holiness and not His Highness “
It’s not up to the political parties to decide what’s said in the media. Every Jim and Jack in MMD wants to be a chief. Issuing statements at will. Lack of discipline has reduced MMD to an army of headless thugs.
Please let the Priests speak for the vulnerable and voiceless members of our society. Do the Ndola MMD zealots understand that there are real problems affecting the nation which need to be faced squarely with viguor and resolve? Burrying their heads in the sand will not drive the problems away. Its like someone with a financial problem taking to heavy drinking of alcohol hoping to drown his miseries. They need to admit that people are suffering. They must accept criticism and engage the opposition to seek solutions. Not to be oppressive and confrontational. By the way, which party has the biggest following on the copperbelt?
Religion the opium of the masses……Why is it that a brother or a nun can not be a station in charge like chukuni mission radio station for a change . The good book tells us to be at peace with everyone in as much as it lies within our powers ……
Like Abraham Lincoln said of the US Constitution purpose “.. to ensure that the strong are just and the weak are safe..” If these MMD guys with the temporal power to Govern given, and there is nothing to deter them from doing whatever, its going to be UNIP -come back scenario. Remember KK used to threaten Catholics that ” if UNIP wins ba Katholika mukanina pali Kolona”. .. during 1991 elections? RB was/is UNIP and now KK is the chief adviser to RB. The Popes Ambasador needs to be given where we are coming from. How many pipo were killed by KK Govt? How did Arch Bishop Mutale die? Tell him to ask the Rev. Fr. Umbeto Devoli (Inshimbi!)They are back! UNIP! Mulilo! that was their slogan. Pipo of God, lets be wary and uprout these thugs b4 they start saying ” Wamuyayayaya- wamuya…
The men of the collar on CB , may have really issues with Govt, yet radio icengelo is not the only station for Catholics , the suffering masses are everywhere in Zambia it is not only CB folks that are suffering why the fighting all the time… give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to him….
#58 Generalzm you have made my ribs hurt, Let me quote you,”Remember KK used to threaten Catholics that ” if UNIP wins ba Katholika mukanina pali Kolona”.
That is what I have been telling my fellow boggers Generalzm. I shall copy your well written Lines and on monday post the whole piece on evry article on monday and tomorrow that shall be fresh. To show how humble we should be I shall tell everyone you wrote it, giving credit to the author. But naseka mye, mukanina pali Kolona hahahahahahahahahahahaha.
KK made threats , King Snake Massacred the Chawama residents with pangas and machetes…..the old bones should all rest.Threats and actual killing which is a lesser evil ……
bwalya says:
April 26, 2009 at 2:14 am
Mr Banda is a very good man. we zambians should appreciate his work is doing. so dont dont dont atack him. he is very credible man. he is going to bring development to zambia. not what mwanawasa left. levy did nothing.
Rupiah for 2011. go rupiah go MMD wamuyayaya. i love this man
imwe mulekeni ateke kateka wesu rupiah Banda. at least 3 terms. tukachinga na constitution for ba Banda to lead for more than two terms
tukachinja not tukachinga
There is need for LT site shrink…..heads require examination on this blog
On “He was reacting to Fr Mwape’s calls on Vice-President George Kunda to resign for allegedly having supported Ms Siliya’s alleged abuse of office“, I am surprised that our Daily Mail reporters do not know the meaning of the word alleged. Clearly, everyone who heard or read news at the time that Minister of Justice Veep G. Kunda defended former, then, Minister Dora Siliya kows this as a fact and not a accusation. So, why do we have such reporting? Is it to cheat some people with weak memory capabilities or what?
On the manager of ichengelo, just do what you can as long as it is not campaigning for an opposition party in the CB Province at this time.
. #bwalya says
I think you are Rupiah’s relative or tribes mate. Because you are not looking at real issues Ley did great works for the country the country started to gain its glory, unfortunately he died before he coud achive even greater height. BUt for you you dont see development what other people have done you are only thinking of your relative Banda.Be real, let us look for a leader who should show positive mind.Banda is always complaining, instead of working, Levy never used to complain he used to work. everyone can see that only you cant.
i thought this Fr bwalya guy is long been forgotten so he is still popping up.
We can only have a clear Picture of where we as a Zambia nation are going ,if we remember where we have come from ….KK , FTJ. LPM,RB….Next the young shall rule, yes the unadulterated young . The negatives and the positives of all the political demagogues I will supply ,flattery not my hobby….
This is a clear violation of the freedom of speech as enshrined in our constitution and in the UN charter on universal and fundamental human rights to which Zambia is a signatory. People should not be prescribed on what to say and what not to say because this is tantamount to intimidation. We are a democratic state. What is wrong for the church to speak-out against corruption and people who are peceived to be condoning and perpetuating corruption in government? This level of hooliganism is unacceptable.
#c4, CIA:
The church is not losing direction as you purport. On the contrary, the Church is moving in the right direction by stressing the importance of morality as a guiding principle in politics and speaking for the voiceless. There is absolutely nothing wrong in Father Mwango calling for the resignation of a Vice President who lied about the advice given by the Attorney General to Dora Siliya. Lying is anathema to any man of the cloth. Besides, Father Mwango has the right to free speech and freedom of expression. The enemy of democracy is the MMD cadre, Mubanga. He is the man to fear, not the Catholic priest.
If you look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery says the good book .. a kiss is well with Catholics priests and lies are lepromatous lesions … hypocrisy you are
Lies is anathema and lepromatous state (Leprosy) yet adultery is accepted in the catholic priesthood fraternity….. Religion the opium of the masses
Did not know that folks have additional information of Fr Mwape as being called mwango…. I stand to be corrected.
Shalom…all i take leave
Salibe mune Alex “ShiMpundu Pankoloko” Mubanga. Nobe walatushupa ngo munga mumunofu. Shileka ukubwatabwata nga cula wanwena mu Dambo we mwaume.
Yangu mune Kwandangala, ala wanjibukisha ku mushi lintu twaleya mu fifwani. Uli shani we mwaume we?
FR davies nsama should be promoted to station manager RADIO ICHENGELO alikwata sana amano.
Politics are of God, you bloggers that say politics and church cant go together what do you say about moses delivering the children of Israel? God is saying let may people go and we need those with courage and calling to fulfil this. God has seen our misery, He has heard our cry and it is time for deliverance.
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