Government has challenged the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) to state its position on Father Frank Bwalya’s recent political pronouncements.
Lusaka Province Minister, Lameck Mangani says government is concerned about Father Bwalya’s confrontational stance against the government’s social and economic programmes.
Mr. Mangani told ZANIS in an interview that now that Father Bwalya has allegedly become an active Patriotic front (PF) activist, there is urgent need for the church to take a stand on the matter.
He said government is aware of the clergy’s political association with the opposition political party which is alleged to have sponsored his provincial tours and radio programmes aimed at denouncing the government.
He however said government welcomes constructive criticism from the church as it considers it a social partner in fostering peace and national development.
Mr. Mangani further said the confrontational and partisan stance taken by Father Bwalya is a disgrace to both the church and the people he purports to represent.
He said the church cannot continue to be mute as Father Bwalya has accepted to be guest speaker at a planned demonstration by the Patriotic Front on the Copperbelt.
He said the rules of natural justice demand that the clergyman relinquishes his post as a priest and take up his new role of a political activist.
ZANIS/JT/AM/ENDS
Hmmm,chiwamila galu kuluma mbuzi!! when pastors support MMD and its candidate,ni zee,but when they support the opposition nishi ni huhuhu!! plz ba mangani, there shud be a better way out of this issue.the route yu’ve taken is highly bumpy!
Fr. Bwalya at it again.
This is becomming like a soup Opeara, is this the secound episode.?
F-o-o-l-i-s-h MMD govt at work,concentrating too much on critics instead of issues affecting the nation such as mealie meal prices
Father Bwalya the soap opeara
Fr. Bwalya is merely exercising his rights and being open about it. I would be worried if he was clandestine.
#3,5 Ba honey. Its soap opera. I am not putting you on the spot but its good to have these terms rights. You know how zambians laugh ukapwanya chizungu
Oh come on. Can this matter rest already. The man has been fired and is going on sabbatical leave. What more do you want the church to do? And by the way, didnt the church issue a similar pastoral letter some time back? Maybe this Mangani chap should read it before flogging a dead horse. Get back to work!!!
Its clear that Fr. Bwalya is not PF, if someone disagrees with the government and if they come out strong then they conclude its PF. Fr. Bwalya has just been invited, when the late Levy invited Sata and PF at state house did it mean that the party became MMD. Anm invitation is just an invitation possibly PF so that Fr.Bwalya needed support and so they are supporting him not the other way round. And being a priest is not a post he is an ordaine minister of God and its permanent (forever) even if he decided to quit today. MMD has just felt pressure and 2011 is getting closer they are jittery. According to what i have observed Fr.Bwalya is still non partisian he is only speaking for the voiceless and has been given an opportunity by the invitation just a platform to speak not joining th party
Petty politics, let the man speak it is called freedom of speech that you own MMD government supported in 1991 when we became democratic for the second time. I think chizungu chibashupa ababantu. Translate the constitution into Nyanga for them; better still translate it into all the 73 tribes, yah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that shall solve all our translational problems.
A mosquito, tombolilo disturbing the whole government machinary, shame. Anyway Frank you must be careful and always watch your back because the MMD government will use any extra ngwee to silence you. Remember your noble vocation to serve the people of with levelheadedness. My only little experience is that Catholics Priests have never been good politicians or later on as presidents. Please do not be swayed by public opinion in the media.
Just remember the call you responded to, to always defend and protect the children of God. God bless you and our mother land Zambia.
Its called Freedom of Association / Speec in English. Why dont you attack Rev Jesse K Jackson, Desmond Tutu naba tata ba Dan Pule ?
It was not going to be a problem if he went out yapping about RB and his hung-ons!
If Zambian politicians are not doing anything wrong, why are they bothered about his speeches?
Leave Fr. Bwalya in pease you heathens.
I meant PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about all the Religious leaders that were in Bandas campaign at election time? He didn’t complain about them. This so called president and his party are acting like a bunch of children in politics – GROW UP!
Ba Jamaco mwa zanda ka, ” you heathens,”
I do not know the last time I thought of the word heathen
Hahahahaha. No#11 anonymous do not worry we are not swayed by public opinion, news papers e.g post, times or muvi tv, znbc. We are driven by truth and the wisdom God put in us especially now. We shall watch the humble and the meek with the same eyes we look at the corrupt.
Mangani must see beyond tomorrow otherwise things will catch up with him.
This MMD government is becoming irrelevant to the nation. It seems their problems are not the nation’s problems. Don’t they ever meet to reflect on where they are heading?
Fr. Bwalya will live to regret. Zambians support outspoken people but not for presidency. can’t he learn from Nevers? I am sure Bwalya thinks he will succeed Sata. Anyway, let the man speak – as if there is anything really to be worried about – nawo ba MMD, can’t they just be confident.
Iwe Mangani do you fear him? He’s nolonger @ +Ichingelo again you want to follow him. Do you want him to be quiet, No! he wont just start doing things correctly may be he’l be quiet.
its ok for paster Nevers Mumber to be MMD?????????
No# 23 you very correct,these characters will only cry loudest when things are not in their favour. Nevers who is still the president of Victory mercenaries is a full time MMD cadre .
I am on record as having strongly criticized Father Bwalya, however on Hon Mangani and ZEC , I wish to state differently.What does Hon Mangani mean by natural justice ? To me this is selective justice which is no justice at all. If the priest is truly inspired by God , no man can harm him and his mission will succeed and the converse is equally true. So MMD leave the priest alone..there are more important issues to attend in the nation ..
LT, I guess we all know that the best essay in school is not always the longest, the loudest student in class may not always be the best, and an empty vessel makes the loudest noise. Take it easy people; to say something important is one issue but to say something important in an assertively listenable manner is another. Million thanks to Frank Bwalya. What he needs to learn is the art of saying what is important with minimum sensetionalism. He needs to make people wanna really listen.
Is it possible to talk about the widows without cash, orphans without support systems, the old women who sweep our streets and what is in place for them?Is it possible to talk about the people made poor we know by name? Let the govt work and stop thinking of who attacks them and when. Mangani, go to work!
Opposition leaders are immature – Chief Mukuni
CHIEF Mukuni of the Toka Leya people of Kazungula District in Southern Province has described some opposition political leaders as immature.And Chief Mukuni has expressed concern with the fast emerging regional politics.Reacting to the constant attacks on President Rupiah Banda by some opposition leaders, Chief Mukuni said the level of maturity among politicians was worrying.He observed that there is a tendency by the opposition to oppose whichever President takes office from day one.“I think we are immature here. In Zambia people want to be politicking from day one until Jesus comes,” he said.
He expressed concern that politics had become regional and had even affected the church.
The traditional leader observed that even clergy men attacking the President were from a certain part of the country.
“It is really worrying. Just take a look at who is talking. Look at the names of the clergy men talking, they are all from one province,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that even the late president Levy Mwanawasa went through the same problem with the same people.
He expressed worry that the country would soon degenerate into tribal conflicts as was the case in Kenya if issues of tribalism are not addressed.
Chief Mukuni has since called on Zambians and the opposition in particular to set their differences aside and support the government of the day.
“Let’s support people in State House, when we do that it is not like we are respecting an individual, we are also respecting ourselves by respecting Presidents. Those who don’t go to (State House) should not be fighting all the time. It shouldn’t be like that,” he said.
He cited countries like Ghana where the losing Presidential candidate attended the inauguration of the winning candidate and even congratulated him.
He further called on Zambians to respect whoever goes to State House.
“When we were moving from the Kaunda days to the Chiluba days, that’s when the culture of insulting the President started. Let’s put a stop to this and respect the head of state despite his tribe,” he said.
He observed that even in chiefdoms, development was recorded in areas where there was respect for leadership.
A fortnight ago in Solwezi, President Banda said he is constantly being attacked by presidents of opposition parties because they are envious of his position as Republican President.
“The traditional leader observed that even clergy men attacking the President were from a certain part of the country.”
“It is really worrying. Just take a look at who is talking. Look at the names of the clergy men talking, they are all from one province,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that even the late president Levy Mwanawasa went through the same problem with the same people.
Sectarianism they are wasting time and energy on has no national face thus it can never win.The vote that mandates the Presidency is a broad consensus vote from all 9 provinces. It is wishfull thinking that tribal agendas would transcend national spirit of unity. Chief Mukuni has nailed it.Painful as it may be, these tribal bigots are heading nowhere.Another defeat is is in the dock for them in hardly 3 years.
These tribal bigots need to know that in a multicultuaral society when you pursue tribal agenda over national unity, cultural identity as the hallmark of society challenges orthodoxy regardless of conspiracies, insults and low grade smearing tactics.Any Zambian constitutionally cleared, above 35 years and in the country for 20 years has the right to serve as long as he has a natiional posture.But tribalists will always be short of the winning vote then resort to unsubstantive accusations as face saving measures.
Nothing done in disguise remains that way, yet selective justice is no justice at all . We had one Rev chipawa( not sure about the name) who served as first state house religious affairs minister under MMD, then there was Pastor Mumba still in MMD once served as veep, Dr Dan Pule of go center served as deputy minister of finance , then Rev Nyirongo in prison now but prior to this served as Lands Minister add to the list Rev Gen Shikapwasha still preaches on pulpit yet minister…what is the fear of one single person , can the govt explain to Zambians please ….selective justice is no justice at all
Chief Mukuni is off tangent. Isn’t HH attacking Rupiah Banda? When did Mukuni cruiticise the blatant tribalism manifested by people in the Southern Province? Why didn’t he say anything about tribalism eminating from the Eastern Province. If his palm has been oiled, he should just thank those who have oiled him. If only Bembas priests are speaking out he shouls aks himself why/. Maybe most priests are Bemba and perhaps other priests are not aggrieved. Let Chief Mukuni reflect on this as he does his famous bungee jumping over the Zambezi River. No accidents this time.
Wonder, you are off tangent. Why are you upset. Take it easy. Take time out and listen to the deeper truth in what was said. Go beyond words. What Mukuni said is meant for every one;Bemba, Lozi, Tonga,Ngoni etc.