President Edgar Lungu has announced that he will create a new ministry that will oversee the religious affairs in the country.
Speaking during order of service for the reception service Reverend Bishop Sydney Sichilima, Synod Bishop held at UCZ St Andrew’s Congregation Lusaka, President Lungu announced that there was need for a ministry to oversee the values of Christianity being propagated in the Republic especially that Zambia is a Christian Nation.
“Mr Chanda (Amos Chanda) when we are done with everything we need to look into this, I do not know what we shall call it whether it is Ministry of Religion but once all this is done it is something we seriously need to look into,” President Lungu announced to the jubilant congregants.
He also asked for more Christians with Christian faith to take up leadership roles in politics.
“Every citizen should seek the presence of God before we look to politics, if you have Christ in your heart you will not set ablaze your friend’s house,” President Lungu said. Only those fed with the demon can do such acts.”
And President Lungu says politicians are to blame for the tribalism divisions that have emerged in the country.
The Head of State noted the tribalism and violence was being caused by politicians.
He asked for the church’s intervention to help end the violence noting that there was need for more Christians to participate in politics.
Meanwhile the United Church of Zambia has congratulated President Lungu on his re-election as Republican President.
Speaking on behalf of the Church in welcoming the Head of State Rev Dr. Peggy Mulambya Kabonde said leaders are chosen by God and move with the favour of God and anyone who touches his annoyed would be playing with fire.
Reverand Kabonde said the Church will not allow the alien behaviour of violence and tribalism to rock the land especially that the country had a peaceful democratic election.
I don’t support the proposed move
When you say religion you only mean christianity? Sometimes our leaders can say something but when they are justifying themselves they mean something else. This is another competition in our different christian churches of which there is arleady.
Don’t we already have enough ministries? If it is the case of rewarding loyal pastors then we have a problem. At a time when government must check on expenses this does not seem sensible at all
To make father bwalya a minister?? that stu.pid?? waste pof resource, instead of make a ministry for strategic and innovation ( to help you come up with proper strategies?? busy looking at fo.olish and stu.pid things that have no value add..
WHY IS THIS MAN MASQUARADING AS PRESIDENT? FROM WHICH CONSTITUTION IS HE DRAWING POWERS? I AGREE WITH TODAY’S POST OPINION THAT INDEED THE CHURCH HAS FAILED THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA TO PROVIDE THE NEEDED LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE. LUNGU IS VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION WHICH HE HIMSELF SIGNED AND HIS ELECTION HAS BEEN DISPUTED AND THE MATTER IS IN COURT, YET THE CHURCH IS OPENLY ENGAGING IN CONSPIRANCY TO LEGITIMIZE HIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONTINUED STAY IN POWER AND IN TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION OF THE CONCOURT IN RETURN FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER. LUNGU CEASED TO BE PRESIDENT WHEN THE OPPOSITION PETITIONED HIS ELECTION. ALL REPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS AND PEOPLE SHOULD RESPECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS. WHY CONGRATULATE HIM FOR WINNING THE ELECTION. THAT IS IN CONTEMPT OF COURT.
THE IMF WHICH LUNGU INVITED WOULD NOT ALLOW THEIR MONEY TO BE USED ON WHAT HE IS PROPOSING.
SUDDENLY OUR DRUNKEN MASTER HAS BECOME VERY RELIGIOUS! WHY? TO PLAY WITH THE HEARTS AND ON MINDS OF PEOPLE WHILE STEALING FROM THEM. MEANWHILE HIS SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR VIOLENCE, KAZZER ZULU, IS PROMISING HELL FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS. CAN THE MAN BE SAID TO A GENUINE CHRISTIAN WHEN HE HAS NO CARE FOR THE WORKERS AT THE POST, MUVI TV AND OTHER MEDIA HOUSES HE HAS ORDERED TO CLOSE. THE FAMILIES OF THESE WORKERS DEPEND ON THESE INSTITUTIONS FOR THEIR LIVING. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO SURVIVE NOW? OUR SO CALLED CHRISTIAN LEADERS DO NOT CARE WHATEVER HAPPENS TO THESE PEOPLE AS LONG AS THEY (CHURCH LEADERS) RECEIVE THEIR 30 PIECES OF SILVER FROM LUNGU BUT, REMEMBER, GOD CARES FOR HIS CHILDREN. LUNGU ONLY CARES FOR HIMSELF. HE DOES NOT CARE FOR ANYONE ELSE.
@MANOMAMBULWA: He is the president elect until the court deposed off the case
I pity Lungu…. just as he was so confident about the issue of the ministers in concourt, he will have a heart attack like Kambwili.
HH is exercising his constitutional farts and no one likes grown men farts….
@ Nubian Princess
Your disrespect for the Constitution says a lot about your intellectual shortcomings.
And some people think Lazy Lungu will change…really laughable…expect more holidays and national day of prayers!!
U can not create Ministry of Religious to be under a minister this would mean Bringing politics in Church .The church could Die as compromise could heat the church.and this could Bring confusion and Division in the Church.The President Should be advised .Let not History repeat it self.Sometime back the Church had suffered a big Brow because a selfish political Leader Took politics in Church.Resultant Rwanda civil war
Contempt of court #4. Edgar should not respect court judges, he should stop pronouncing himself as President. He is insulting courts.
VERY EASY TO PRY OR PLAY INTO THE THE MINDS OF ZAMBIANS.. THAT’S WHY I INTEND TO GO AND CORRUPT THEM..VERY EASY, JUST USE RELIGION..KWASILA. DOESN’T MATTER WHICH PLANET YOU ARE FROM. USE RELIGION AND YOU WILL WIN BIG. VIO PWALALA..MY GOODNESS??????
Churches Became Death Traps In The Rwandan Genocide.
Thousands of bodies—old men and women, young men and women, boys and girls, toddlers and infants—filled the entire sanctuary. “People piled on top of one another, four or five bodies, on top of the pews, between the pews”
Mans inhumanity to man, not new and is still happening…humans ability to shock and repulse is nothing new…pure evil under the banner of religion…
The REFERENDUM failed.
The Human Rights in the constitution of Zambia old/new, both don’t discriminate beliefs.
The Ministry of Tabernacle will discriminate the Jehovas Witness who don’t even sing the national anthem, but they vote.
Just call it “ministry for Christians for Lungu” kaili they will be praying to Lungu….
Mr.Lungu, it is clear from general sentiments before and after elections that you have good support among Zambians. However, creating a Ministry specifically for religion will be a MISPLACED PRIORITY UNLESS you just put it as AN APPENDAGE to some OTHER MINISTRY. Chiluba had a Deputy Minister in charge of Religious Affairs based at State house. I think that is the furthest you should go! We also need a Ministry or Depart for NATIONAL ORIENTATION or NATIONAL GUIDANCE (as was in UNIP days) to help us shape a national identity in terms of us KNOWING WHERE WE ARE GOING,WHAT SHOULD UNITE US what we SHOULD NEVER ACCEPT as a nation.We to REKINDLE PATRIOTISM and INCULCATE IT IN OUR CHILDREN!
great contribution. this is what should be submitted to HE.
No No, No!! Religion and government are different things and should be separate by all means. God why have you cursed us this much? So we have to start spending money on this and continue flying out for medical checkups and printing ballot papers overseas.
A waste of Financial resources indeed. The man has no idea that these Ministries require funding and right now there is no money to pay govt employees. Govt should reduce head count rather than increase it. A lot Minisries and posts created by Lungu will have to be disbanded to reduce govt total expenditures. IMF funding will be conditional on implementing austerity measures which will include reduction of total govt expenditures.
Already we have too many of these businesses called churches. You’re closing real businesses and in the process professionals are leaving for other countries which are competing for talent. I’m sure our president has no reliable advisers and he has serious problems with prioritization of issues. This should be common sense. BTW he is a lawyer by profession, but he cannot interpret the law and right now he is breaking the law by not abiding by the constitution. Chipantepante, he reminds of uncle Bob who does not see anything wrong with way the things are going with our brothers in Zim
As a Christian, I say no to this. This is a complete waste of money. What should be done is to curtail the many mushrooming backyard churches stealing from our people. There are already too many ministries.
I AGREE WITH YOU, IT IS BETTER TO TO CREATE A MINISTRY OF PUBLIC RESOURCES THEFTS THAT WILL ENSURE THIEVES OF GOVERNMENT MONEY ARE ARRESTED AND PROSECUTED AND RESOURCES SURRENDERED! THIS WAY POVERTY WILL COME TO END!
Ministry of Religion? This is complete and downright nonsense. We already have Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ). What is the ministry of Religion for?
I am a Christian, and I can categorically say this idea is ill- intended, is subjective, ill conceived, and the tone Lungu is using is inflammatory and unChrist-like. It is wrong and most certainly unchristian to take tax-payers money and start paying Christian ministers of religion without getting consent from non-christian tax-payers. e.g. money from Muslims, Hindus, Traditional spiritual healers (bashing’anga), Buddhists, Atheists,…etc.
Furthermore, it is as clear as daylight, Lungu is hell-bent on using religion as an opium (pacifier) on the people of Zambian in line with Karl Marx’s famous saying “Religion is the opium of…
Cont’d … of the masses”.
I am a member of United Church of Zambia back home, and I must say it is most unfortunate for Rev. Peggy Kabonde – UCZ Secretary General- to cross the line and take it upon herself and assume she has authority to speak on my behalf on political matters in my Country. SHE HAS NO SUCH AUTHORITY. Is she trying to be my political Reverend now? I think CCZ should clarify exactly in what capacity she was speaking.
Please do not erode the decades of non-partisan good work UCZ has contributed to mother Zambia.
Just say ministry of Christianity affairs, otherwise it’s a welcome move for as long as it doesn’t interfere with freedom of worship
This ministry is long over due considering that Zambia is declared Christian Nation. You need a Ministry to anchor this declaration & interests of none Christians religions too. In view of financial constraints, this ministry can be traded for political ministries e.g. Gender, Chiefs which have gone further to divide the Zambians. Ministry of Chiefs is necessary in Monarch nations to uphold the Kingdoms values. Since children who are vulnerable are catered for under Ministry of Youth, Men & women are both adults & need no special representation.
You are true Zambian simpleton. Do you understand Constitutional implication regarding the freedom of religion? Think before jumping on the band-wagon. Remember all other sweet promises?
Next will be the ministry of drunkards with the headquarters in Chawama.
Biblically, the ministry you’re talking about already exist which was formed by Jesus himself founded on Simon Peter. What is wrong with the world wide existing Religious ministry? Is it bcoz it does not condone politics. Won’t that ministry be a tool to for intimidating other Christian denominations the way IBA is being used to oppress the Broadcasting medias.
What do you expect from a clueless lungu ? Just imagines thing like the 500,000 jobs for 2016 he promised.
This is just a waste of resourses. We already have enough crooked pastors.Please take that money to hospitals especially UTH:that place makes me sick.It makes me wanna kick some leader in the butt!
I hope we all know that Christianity is an element of religion. So are traditional african religions, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and others. So when we say ministry of religion, you have a clear picture of what we mean. To avoid discrimination, come up with an inclusive name. Vn, full Christian and chaplain in training.
What will prevent such Minister to establish by S.I. a “Independent Religious Authority” with mandate to “register and supervise” religions activities?
There is more in Lungu’s statement than just a “Minister”. Try to remember that his “personal” adviser is certain Kelvin Bwalya Fumbe!!!
No Mr. President don’t create such a Ministry what we need is a Unit under VP on Governance to address violence especially politically motivated violence,
Now this Drunken Jerabo masquerading as a President wants to reward the “Corrupt Men of Gold” who hoodwinked gulliable Zambians to believe Chagwa is a God fearing leader deserving a vote.
ZAMBIA IS NOW A BROKE FAILED STATE, but clueless visionless Chagwa wants to create a useless Ministry to be filled with religious Cadres, who will just haemorrage more scarce funds that could be used for medicines in our death trap hospitals, or to build more schools.
FACT IS ZAMBIANS VOTED, & DESERVE THIS CLOWN CHAGWA, so let them enjoy starvation, & grinding poverty!
Who is the incumbent president of Zambia? Who is this same incumbent president supposed to hand over power to the president elect? Who is this president elect supposed to receive power from? Our constitution says the incumbent president remains in office until the the president elect is sworn in. Now do we have a vacuum in leadership? What about Ecl stepping down which law says so and under what circumstances. And you assemble a team of 25 lawyers to defend your wrong petition.
Read Constitution you jerking 1mbecile
We are going back to the stone age
Stone age is better as there were no religions to cloud people judgement!!
It takes Zambians 20 to 27YEARS to open their eyes.
KK ruled them for 27years (wamuyayaya)
MMD duped them for 20years (the hour? has come=grand theft from president FTJ to cadre)
By the time they open their eyes to PF “prayers” (stealing), it’ll be too late, another 25years.
FTJ had a Religious desk at State House, meanwhile he was sleeping with another man’s wife REGINA MWANZA. His downfall was embarrasing.
Lungu is perpetrating violence, clamping down on independent media & refusing to obey constitution he swore upon whilst holding a Bible. Then he thinks he can pretend to be GODLY. Anyway Lesa ni Maliotola!!
I owez thot the churches needed regulation in Z. Otherwise how do u account FO 1 man waking up forming a church, performing fake miracles, misleading followers & collecting money from pipo. And enriching himself? How? Even a Dr is regulated from somewhere. An Engineer oso. Now religion has become free FO o!!!! Self declared “pastors” r everywhere busy breaking up marriages. Busy focusing on fund raising schemes! We need strigent regulations, viva yo excellence!!!
Religion is under Social amenities. Why not align it to that? We call it Ministry of Social Services and Religious Services. So that it includes other Religions Such as Moslems.
When I tell you religion is self distraction this is what i mean…this folly from Lazy Bum Edgar.
Joshua Banda can’t wait to be appointed Minister of this ministry
Its no wonder these Catholic Fathers are licking this corrupt lazy bum Edgar!!
The Catholic fathers have never been in support of such. They are the only Christians who have refused the declaration of Zambia as a Christian state. They should know because the Catholic Church at one time ruled Europe and God’s name became the tool for killing inoocent citizens
SICK POEPLE TO RUBISH TO OTHER PEOPLE WHEN HEALED AND WISED PEOPLE TALK LOVE, UNITY ,AND DEVELOPMENT
His late Excellency Dr. Fredrick T.J. Chiluba declared Zambia a christian nation and then stole the daylights out of our treasury. Gullible Zambians were impressed by that declaration. Zambia is still poorer than most “unchristian” countries, yet we still call ourselves blessed. Now we are having unchristian-like political conflicts and burning things up. We have decided to hate one tribe and blame them for the tribalism which every tribe is actually guilty of since independence. We are full of hate speech and intolerance in our politics, on social media and in our private conversations. Our priests, pastors and prophets are being caught in other people’s beds day-in day-out. Drunkenness and prostitution are the order of the day from the highest places to the lowest of the…
under-privileged. Witchcraft and visits to witchdoctors characterise everything from politics to sports. Party cadres led by christian politicians are very violent and keep taking the law violently in their own hands. From this article it is clear that this was just a random thought our President had while in the midst of christians and he blurted out something he thought would impress his audience. He even says he does not know yet what to call this ministry but that they should look into it, so this is not a well thought-out plan but rather a move to appease a certain section of our society. When we stop lying to ourselves, maybe then we will start seeing some real progress. God, have mercy on us.
The declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation (whatever that means) was gimmick to put wool on your eyes the selfsame way the colonist brought this Christianity to our shores and enslave you both physically and mentally – it has also promoted self hate on our culture like you are doing there putting witchcraft and witch doctors as one evil concoction. You will be surprised to learn that most western medicine is derived from the selfsame African witch doctors you despise. You will be surprised to learn that East Africans were carrying out caesarean section when your Europeans were dying in their thousands during labour – they had to come to Africa and observe.
There was a reason why African revolutionists like Sankara, Lumumba and Samora Machel were against religion on our people.
Samora Machel once stated that “The Catholic Church was the church of the colonial fascist regime”.
The hand of God will crush this little fellow!
Religion is the opium of the masses. Give them religion they will get high soo drunk with God and then you can proceed to rip them off
prophecy is being fulfilled,revelation 17 is about to be fulfilled were a church will ride or control the beast(government) and the result will be blood shed against Gods church.Notice that the Woman(apostate Church)was drunk with blood of the saints and (martyrs) and the beast(government) was red(Rev 17:3) because it had drunk the blood of martyrs(those who protested its doctrines i.e Sunday observance).WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO THOSE WHO WONT AGREE TO THE DECISION OF THE STATE-CHURCH OF MAKING SUNDAY THE OFFICIAL DAY OF WORSHIP?JEWS KILLED THEM,CATHOLICS KILLED THEM,YOU ALSO WILL KILL THEM)
MATH 24:8-13..LUKE 11:47-52…..LUKE 13:34….ACTS 7:51-52……REV REV 6:10-11.
Notice revelation 6:10-11,’until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,…