Maravi

Spaita cautions over Levy's succession

Spaita cautions over Levy's succession
By Mwala Kalaluka in Kasama
Thursday August 28, 2008 [04:00]

CATHOLIC Archbishop of Kasama James Spaita Mwewa (left) has said the church will not welcome antagonistic manoeuvres from politicians that wish to succeed President Levy Mwanawasa.

Commenting on President Mwanawasa's death in an interview at his residence on Sunday, Archbishop Spaita said politicians should learn from the message of reconciliation and peace that the deceased left for the people of Zambia and the region before he left for Egypt, where he suffered a stroke that later claimed his life.

Archbishop Spaita said he was very shocked by President Mwanawasa's death and he said only a selfless person should replace a man of such stature.

"Let our politicians look first for the interest of the nation and not selfish interests or positions or advantage they will get once they are in certain positions," Archbishop Spaita said. "Let the idea of service dominate rather than personal advantages."

He said it would be retrogressive for politicians to get embroiled in fights as the country braces itself for the forthcoming presidential by-election.

"We do regret, as a church, the antagonism which shows itself very often among politicians; we are one nation," Archbishop Spaita said. "Things can erupt if we are not very careful and if politicians do not follow in the same spirit of reconciliation that our President left us."

Archbishop Spaita, who described the late President as a man of great tolerance and understanding, asked those that will not make it in the pending election to accept the fact that democracy was about losers and winners.

He pointed out that President Mwanawasa's adherence to the concept of peace and reconciliation was made a reality for Zambia when he addressed the 16th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopa Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in June this year, in the presence of his one-time archrival, Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata.

"His Excellency has left us a very powerful message of reconciliation and we take this message as one of the last messages of the President," Archbishop Spaita said. "There should be love and unity in the nation; in politics and religion."

Archbishop Spaita said he had a personal relationship with President Mwanawasa and he admired his dedication to duty even when he was not feeling well.

Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, JAMES SPAITA MWEWA, SUCCESSION

posted by MrK @ 6:17 AM