The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has castigated the Catholic Church, for opposing the reconciliation between President Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front (PF) President Michael Sata.
MMD Spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba says it was disappointing that the Catholic Church was questioning the reconciliation between the two leaders instead of preaching peace and reconciliation.
Mr. Tetamashimba, who is also Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, said the church should learn to promote reconciliation and peace instead of dwelling on issues that bring instability.
He said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the MMD party was surprised that the Catholic Church was questioning the reconciliation of the two leaders instead of encouraging forgiveness and reconciliation.
Mr. Tetamashimba charged that Bishops in the Catholic Church have no authority to judge any person except God and that there is need for the nation to pray so that the wishes of the two leaders can be fulfilled through the grace of God.
He wondered why it was difficult for the Catholic Church to accept the reconciliation of the two popular leaders when the church had an obligation to preach peace and reconciliation.
Mr. Tetamashimba observed that in all churches that included the Catholic Church, when people come to confess their sins for forgiveness from God and not to the Bishops, they do not state all the sins that they had committed against God, but the words from their mouths are enough for God to forgive them.
He said the MMD is aware that there are fathers in the Catholic Church who have children when they are not supposed to have children adding that some fathers were dismissed but that after a year they were recalled back and are preaching in the churches as fathers and that Bishops have not asked the fathers to tell the nation of the same.
Mr. Tetamashimba stated that it was discouraging for the Church to be against decisions aimed at bringing peace among political leaders in the country.
He questioned why it was difficult for the Catholic Church to ask to meet President Mwanawasa and PF President Michael Sata even at State House to learn more information about the reconciliation if ever they have the interest.
Mr. Tetamashimba has since challenged the Catholic Church to tell the nation the Commandments they got from God through Jesus Christ if they can’t preach peace and reconciliation because there existence as a church based on preaching peace and reconciliation.