Lusaka Lawyer Hails Catholic Priest Chilinda

3 June 2011

Lusaka lawyer Christopher Mundia has said the leadership portrayed by St Ignatius Catholic Church priest Charles Chilinda to support the Government on a number of development activities is a step in the right direction.

In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mundia said it was gratifying to learn that the Catholic Church would like to resolve its perceived differences with the MMD Government.

He said, however, that it should be noted that the MMD as a party in general and President Rupiah Banda in particular had never had differences with the Catholic Church.

He said the concern of the party had been in respect of some priests and bishops that had consistently attacked the Government and the MMD and portrayed the picture as if Zambia was ungovernable when they knew the truth.

Mr Mundia said it was unfortunate that Zambia Episcopal Conference president George Lungu was reported to have said MMD had been attacking the Catholic priests when he knewtoo well that every political party had members in each and every Church.

“To turn around and allege that the Church is being attacked is unfortunate, absurd and a complete distortion because the Church should learn to discipline its members.

“If it does not do that then it has lost direction and those loud-mouthed priests and bishops can beattacked,” he said.

Mr Mundia said President Banda and the Government had done so much for the country that it was unfair for some priests and bishops not to tell the truth that Zambia was on the road to prosperity.

“I still insist and state what I have said before that the attacks on President Banda have been substantially orchestrated by tribal motivations which should never be tolerated in our country,” he said.

He said the leadership portrayed by Father Chilinda was a step in the right direction although there were no serious issues that justified a reconciliatory meeting.

Mr Mundia said some bishops and priests who pretended to speak on behalf of the people and stirred up trouble in the country should apologise for their unwarranted and unjustified statements because they, together with the Church, were too big to lower themselves to the level of political cadres.

He said everyone was free to air their views in the public media but to constantly use the opposition newspaper was a reflection of a resolve by some bishops and priests to orchestrate an atmosphere of chaos in the country.

He advised newly-installed Bishop of Mongu Diocese, Evans Chinyemba to realise that his position was eminent.

He said it was unfortunate that former Mongu Bishop Paul Duffy used his position to attack President Banda, late president Levy Mwanawasa and the MMD as a party even to the extent of lying that President Banda had insulted the Lozi people by wearing what he termed was awrong Lozi traditional regalia at the Kuomboka traditional ceremony.

“My appeal to Bishop Chinyemba is that he should use his position to ensure that priests under his jurisdiction are guided properly and to work with the Government of the day to develop Western Province which has for many years lagged in development until the late presidentMwanawasa and President Banda came into power,” Mr Mundia said.

AllAfrica – All the Time