The Anglican Church has replaced embattled St Peter’s priest-in-charge in Kitwe Father Richard Luonde, who was locked out by parishioners.
Anglican archbishop Albert Chama replaced Fr Luonde with William Chisanga who was vicar-general.
This follows a month-long feud at the church in Chimwemwe Township involving congregants and Fr Luonde.
On June 9, this year some enraged congregants locked the church building, after accusing Fr Luonde of using church funds to finance priest-cum-politician Frank Bwalya.
They also alleged that the outspoken clergyman had been engaging in inappropriate conduct with married women.Fr Luonde had since then been missing Sunday services and was the previous Sunday reported to have congregated in Garnetone.
A letter authored by Bishop Chama dated July 5, 2013 and addressed to St Peters’ congregation members stated that vicar-general Chisanga had been appointed parish-priest-in-charge.
Bishop Chama said in the letter which was read yesterday during Sunday service by acting church warden, Lameck Zimba that following the wrangles and pleas by some members to have the church opened, vicar-general Chisanga had been appointed parish-priest to ensure continuity in church programmes.
The bishop, who urged the members to remain steadfast in prayers so that God could talk to them, however made no mention of Fr Luonde.Mr Zimba said the new priest was expected this Sunday.
The news was met with jubilation among the congregants who ululated to express their happiness.Efforts to establish the whereabouts of Fr Luonde failed as he was not found both at church and his residence in Chimwemwe.
The priest’s mobile-phone was switched off and information obtained revealed he had travelled out of the country.But Fr Luonde’s daughter, who was found at the residence, but did not give her name, said her dad had obtained leave and thus travelled to Luapula Province.
[Times of Zambia]
Weather married women or single, is it not the same sin of adultery carrying the same sentence , to eternal death? It seems the priests justifies committing adultery for single men and women but forbids it when it comes to married women and that is what seems to have cost him his job- wrong evangelism.
did you mean to say whether?
kuchinda sibalesa manje kachindiwe
How come a quick action has been taken on this case? How about the case of that Shaibu Michaels Chilimina of House of Faith Church? That case has gone quiet and from my investigations the church is still running hen the registra said it was going to close in 21days. That pastor has paid the police and the registra to shut up their mouths. We are not stupid people, the government is so useless (police and the chief registra). We are still watching! PF deal with these corrupt Police and Registra coz the Registra only used that case for political ambitions.
Is this the randy holy guy i have been hearing about? He needs counselling full stop.
Father Randy Buchende
Good ridence he was a misfit in the Ang church!
Is this the Church structure that this PF cadre priest was congregarting from? What a shame. if you read his silly, hateful comments in The Post, you would think he is something, but nay. People just look at the church and compare it with the pomposity of this man! Shameful