Chikondi Foundation Founder Bishop John Mambo has expressed astonishment over the statement issued by Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka Archdiocese, were he states that President Hakainde Hichilema and the law enforcement agencies have turned a blind eye to the rising cases of homosexuality and sodomy in the country.
Bishop Mambo said he is perplexed, as he doesn’t know whether to term Archbishop Banda’s statement as theological, doctrinal or political.
Bishop Mambo noted that it is on record that President Hichilema has repeatedly stated that he abhors homosexuality and that there are adequate laws to address it, how else should he address it other than through the realms of the rule of law that is already provided for by the constitution, to expect the President to comment on every incident of every crime smack of ulterior motives and a hidden agenda by his accusers.
“Can you let President Hakainde Hichilema work to emancipate the people from poverty, keeping him busy on matters that are adequately covered by law takes away valuable time from critical issues that affect all citizens,” Bishop Mambo noted
Bishop Mambo explained that the question of homosexuality is a troubling issue that has dogged societies and particularly churches for ages, taking a rather simplistic approach laced with veiled partisan political undertones demeans the criticality of the subject, as this is a serious matter of great concern.
He added that homosexuality threatens and knocks at every family door, walks in every street corner and begs for a hearing and salvation at every Church pulpit, the Church must therefore help than pour scorn!
“On his return flight from the 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil, Pope Francis made his now famous statement: “If a person is gay and seeks out the Lord and is willing to, who am I to judge?” Bishop Mambo cited
Bishop Mambo said that his own personal interpretation of the Holy Father is that sin must be condemned in its entirety, but the sinner must be given the human dignity and love he deserves as a creature of God, that is not to mean sin should be embraced.
“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you? No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, neither do I, go and sin no more.” Bishop Mambo said
Bishop Mambo mentioned that this is the doctrine Archbishop Alick Banda should be championing, the doctrine of love, repetence and forgiveness, not of hate, bitterness and the stereotypes, not a doctrine of animosity against a politician one doesn’t support, nor the divisive theologies that turn citizens against each other.
The Bishop added that until Archbishop Banda begins to look inwards with the same passion and intensity, he looks at the outside, accusations of partiality will follow him, like many other churches that are grappling with sin, the Catholic Church has challenges that the Pope himself has acknowledged and, in some cases, has apologised to the entire indigenous and vulnerable communities and victims, without looking for a President to apportion blame.
“We have challenging issues of celibacy and priests abusing the vulnerable they swore to protect, at home here we have priests that were willing to help in rigging an election to ensure their party of preference carries the day, these were priests under Archbishop Bishop Banda’s stewardship, did he speak against this injustice and criminality? Did he speak out for hundreds of Zambians that perished during the gassing?” Bishop Mambo mentioned
Yesterday, Catholic Archbishop of Lusaka Alick Banda issued a statement on the call to action against offensive tendencies and addressing thorny issues inter alia other issues that seem to be slowly taking root in the society, as he noticed an increasing promotion of gay rights and rising sodomy cases in the country.
He stated that it is unfortunate, that the Law Enforcement Agents and the President who took oath to protect the Constitution seem to be paying a blind eye to the issues of homosexuality.
“The question that begs an answer is: Is it by design or by default?” he stated
Archbishop Banda noted that in the last 12 months, the country has witnessed an increase in the number of incidents and events that promote LGBTG+ tendencies contrary to the Laws of Zambia and the Zambian culture. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of incidents of sodomy where boys and men are raped by fellow boys and men with impunity.
The Archbishop noted with concern how the on Tuesday the 17th May 2022, the Swedish and Finnish Embassies in Lusaka flew gay pride flags, contrary to the provisions of article 20 of the Vienna Convention which allows foreign missions to only fly the flag and emblem of their country of origin on their premises. Additionally, on Saturday, the 3rd September 2022, a company called PR Girl Media Limited hosted an event dubbed “Lusaka July 2022” at Lusaka Polo Club. Pictures and videos that emerged from this event showed attendants double dressing in attires of the opposite sex and appearing to promote LGBTQ+ behaviour.
“Subsequent to the above events, we have witnessed several cases of sodomy and homosexuality on the increase in our society much to the displeasure and disapproval of the general public,” he said
He however said that, on Friday, the 16th September 2022, when a group of concerned citizens decided to undertake a peaceful protest in order to raise awareness to the ever-escalating cases of homosexuality and sodomy in the country, the Police were quick to apprehend them together with journalists who were covering the event. These were detained, arrested and charged with unlawful assembly.
“The above events are alarming, if nothing is done to raise awareness among our people, LGBTQ+ will become an acceptable norm in Zambia, despite the existence of laws that criminalises these activities and worse still being offensive to our Cultural and Christian values,” Archbishop Banda said
