Catholics Bishops send a message to President Edgar Lungu ahead of his visit to Vatican
In a way that only they could, the Catholic Bishops have thoroughly articulated issues that affect all of us. In their annual Pastoral Letter to their congregants on the State of the Nation issued on 26 January 2016 the Bishops have once again proved that they are involved and concerned about the welfare of the Zambian people.
The Bishops have recognized that a major event on the Zambian calendar is the August 11 general elections. They want to see a free and fair election. They have elaborated in great detail issues they consider may be an impediment to a free and fair election in Zambia. These include:
1. The arbitrary way in which the Police choose to apply the Public Order Act. We are just as bewildered as the Bishops why such an archaic piece of legislation is still in effect more than 50 years after independence. The POA is an indictment on our legislature.
2. Use of government resources especially by the office of the District Commissioners during campaigns to give advantage to the ruling party.
3. The escalation of political violence. We all know that the violent cadres are mobilised by senior Party officials, to date none of the masterminds have been arrested and prosecuted. There seems to be a hidden hand promoting violence and protecting the perpetrators.
4. Use of hate speech by politicians trying to divide our people along tribal lines.
5. Unprofessional and biased media. Unfortunately public media has become a tool for slander and propaganda against the opposition with the Chief Government spokesperson claiming that they own ZNBC much to the amazement of the public.
The Pastoral Statement touches on several other issues such as the enactment of the new constitution and the Bill of Rights, the need to arrest the economic challenges locally even though some would like to blame everything on global matters, food security and the plight of workers in the country.
We are grateful to the Bishops for their non-partisan assessment of the State of the Nation. We would like to pledge our unwavering commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. We would like to request special prayers for President Lungu so that the Lord may grant him wisdom and courage to always do that which is right for this country.
Charles Kakoma
UPND Spokesperson
They are 100% correct
“Coming from 2015 into 2016, what we often hear from political leaders is vulgar language and hate speech against each other”………..this statement was both for the gov’t and opposition but am surprised that Kakoma is insisting that the whole document was about Lungu. Truth be told, both my party PF and UPND are violent parties and there is need for both parties to sit down the cadres before the violence gets out of hand….”blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God.”
EVEN TO YOU HH. DIDN’T U SEE UPND VIOLENCE AGAINST POLICE IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE?
“Coming from 2015 into 2016, what we often hear from political leaders is vulgar language and hate speech against each other”………..this statement was both for the gov’t and opposition but am surprised that Kakoma is insisting that the whole document was about Lungu. Truth be told, both my party PF and UPND are violent parties and there is need for both parties to sit down the cadres before the violence gets out of hand….”blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God.”
Since when did HH become the spokesman for the Catholic Church. Why does he want to take advantage of everything for his own glory.
This HH is sick with ego-centralism. He needs a cure. He cannot speak for the Catholics they have their own spokesperson.
The pastoral letter also sent a message to UPND. why has this chap edited the letter just to show us things that are one sided. UPMD should not come out holier than thou. up to now you have not condemned those chaps who rioted. at least ECL instructed for violent cadres to be expelled
“We are grateful to the Bishops for their non-partisan assessment of the State of the Nation. We would like to pledge our unwavering commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. We would like to request special prayers for President Lungu so that the Lord may grant him wisdom and courage to always do that which is right for this country”.
Well spoken ba UPND spokesperson Mr. Charles Kakoma. Very balanced and mature comment.
Now, lets wait and see what PF spokesperson Father Frank Bwalya will say.
The problem with UPND is that they think we are blind that cant see what they do. Its this penurious behaviour that has closed their foor to presidency.
say s who? you? you are in for a rude shock.
I cannot wait to see who will be shocked. With 50% +1, who will vote for a party that has failed to denounce tribalism since 2005? All we saw yesterday was a dress rehearsal for the Republic of Choma as they awaited their “president”.
HH an eder in the sda siding with the Catholics. Sda has become cheap by this hh or they are now no longer protestants all because of a simpleton trying to become a president. If it was in it’s original state sda would by now have disfellowshipped HH for bringing the church in ridule. This church has collapsed.
SINCE WHEN DID THE VATICAN BECOME ZAMBIA’S HEAD BOY? WHO NEEDS TO SEE PEACE BEFORE, DURING AFTER VOTING? IT THE VATICAN OR ZAMBIANS THEMSELVES?
Why do we fihgt every time we hava the election? Dont you know that this will bring confusion /war? One Zambia one nation
indeed when did the bishops,though I don’t trust, nibatomakubiji,appoint united national destructive as its spokesperson or party!!!!!