The three church mother bodies have called on Zambians to embrace a culture of true dialogue and genuine reconciliation as the country joins the rest of the Christian community in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have urged the stakeholders to pray for the gift of true peace in families, communities and the entire Zambia as the country prepares to embark on a process of national dialogue and reconciliation.
The church mother bodies are hoping that the celebration of the birth of Christ will renew people’s hearts and awaken in them a deep desire to build a better country where there will be genuine love for each other and greater fraternity and solidarity regardless of one’s tribe, political affiliation and creed.
This is contained in a statement released to the media in Lusaka by the three church mother bodies and signed by their top leadership
The church mother bodies want a Zambia that will guarantee and bring joy and hope to everyone which they say can only be possible if people cultivate a culture of true dialogue that is aimed at genuine reconciliation at personal, communal and national level.
“As Jesus humbled himself by accepting to be born in a manger, we call upon our political leaders to swallow their pride and remain committed to the series of talks that are geared to set this nation on a new path of forgiveness, peacebuilding and national cohesion. We also call upon all Zambians to actively participate in this process and render their material and spiritual support,” the statement reads in part.
The church mother bodies added that people should ensure that the forthcoming national dialogue and reconciliation process will truly become a new beginning towards building a more unified, peaceful and prosperous Zambia.
The three church mother bodies have also appealed to the church in this period to preach messages of God’s love for all humanity which is the central meaning of Christmas.
“This Christmas period is the time the church should utilize to remind Christians that God’s love through his son Jesus Christ is greater than the challenges they are facing,” reads the statement in part which has been signed by CCZ President Bishop Sydney Sichilima, AFZ Board Chairperson Bishop Paul Mususu and ZCCB President Bishop George Lungu.
The leaders of the church mother bodies have also reminded those in authority of the need to ensure a united nation full of love, care and respect for one another and a nation that thrives on development both at personal and national level.
The church mother bodies further urged the Zambia Police Service to carry out their duties professionally as they provide security to both the citizens and the national large.
Reconciliation would be meaningful if president Lungu stops his cadres namely Sunday Chanda, Amos Chanda, Antonio Mwanza, Lusambo, Davies Mwila and Mumbi Phiri to stop issuing empty statements that are so annoying and inflammatory. The president should as well tell his PF police not to infringe our freedom of assesmbly and teach them basic education on demands of democracy. Tell them democracy does not come with tear gases and bullets on innocent citizens. Otherwise the so called dialogue would be a waste of time and resources.
Come on please. It’s not the Zambians, this is why the so called dialogue and reconciliation is taking long to take off. It’s about our Head of state and the UPND president HH. Looks like you making money out of the same. Let’s move on, reconciliation and dialogue will come in after the rematch in 2021. Just for how long are we going to dance to this tune. Please let’s move on it’s only 2 years left.
there is nothing fye. reconciliation for what? Who fought?
Dialogue is there every day.
At ZSIC kamwala. Total chaos. Long queues but only two people serving. This thing is finished
ZSIC Kamwala even has a vision statement in the hall saying, to be market leaders in the Zambian General insurance industry through the provision of world class insurance services. What a mockery. And this thing can surely declare dividends, how??? People have been in the queue for hours on end, only two people serving. Zambia the real Africa. Air conditioned offices at cabinet office