Maravi

Fr Mwewa warns govt of more criticism from clergy

Fr Mwewa warns govt of more criticism from clergy
By Misheck Wangwe, Kabanda Chulu and Abigail Chaponda
Mon 15 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

CATHOLIC Diocese of Ndola Treasurer General Fr Augustine Mwewa has said President Rupiah Banda’s government should expect more criticism from the clergy if his government continues to be inept and failing to promote common good.

Reacting to President Rupiah Banda’s comments at the installation ceremony of the new Catholic Diocese of Ndola Bishop Alick Banda on Saturday, that young priests have been issuing unwarranted attacks and insults on his government, Fr Mwewa said the Republican President should expect more criticism as long as his government continues to exhibit bad governance.

Fr Mwewa said the young priests President Banda accused of insulting his government were in close contact with the majority poor people who face harsh living conditions caused by inept governance.

“I want to put it on record that nobody deserves to be insulted and the president was right when he said elders must be respected but I have never heard any insults coming from a priest’s mouth or a priest quoted in the media insulting. We are religious men. We don’t insult; what we merely do is to bring to the fore the challenges facing God’s people due to inequalities in the distribution of this country’s resources by those holding government power,” he said.

Fr Mwewa noted that in a democratic dispensation like Zambia, President Banda as the head of state must be ready to face criticism and was expected to act on the failures of his government.

Fr Mwewa added that any well-meaning Zambian would only take pride in a government that responds to people’s concerns and not an adamant one.

He said President Banda should not expect the religious to be smiling and showering praises on him when the people they are called to serve are wallowing in abject poverty due to lack of good leadership.

“President Rupiah must start reflecting on these issues. His government must priorities the plight of the poor, he should not politicise every issue. Appreciation is given where it’s due not in a situation were innocent souls are living in misery due to politics of tyranny and lack of good governance,” Fr Mwewa said.

Fr Mwewa said every well-meaning Zambian is looking forward to seeing a government that would devote its efforts to uplifting the living standards of the people and addressing issues of mutual concern.

He said while it was the role of the clergy to offer moral guidance in the society and the nation at large, they also had a divine obligation to comment on issues that affect the people, to denounce injustice and to ensure that there was a fair distribution of the country’s created wealth.

“Nobody owns Zambia. This country is for us all and everyone has a role to play for this country to attain the much-needed development. That is why it is important to listen to each other and divergent views must be embraced by those in authority,” he said.

And Fr Mwewa advised President Banda to detach himself from former president Fredrick Chiluba if he wanted Zambians to respect him and his government.

He said President Banda was insulting the intelligence of Zambians by associating with a person who had cases in a shameful and immoral alliance.

“President Banda would only gain the respect he desperately needs from the Zambian people if he begins to interact with individuals who are morally upright and not people who have brought misery to this country,” he said.

He said the general citizenry expects the president to be exemplary and to prioritise moral governance in the execution of his executive duties adding that his alliance with Chiluba was unacceptable and must be resisted.

On Saturday, President Banda said it was disturbing to see young priests in the forefront of insulting or using derogatory language when addressing elders.

President Banda has urged the Church to actively get involved in promoting political dialogue and reconciliation at both national and local levels as the country approaches the 2011 elections.

Speaking at the installation of Alick Banda as Bishop for Ndola Diocese at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Ndola , President Banda said Catholic bishops as shepherds of the people had a divine obligation to comment on issues of national importance.

Meanwhile, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu has said the Church will continue having dialogue with government and any political party on issues affecting the people.

Bishop Lungu said the Catholic Church would continue to partner with government on issues that promote human dignity.

Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Apostolic Nuncio Girasoli said the church was looking forward to seeing the new Bishop overcoming the challenges facing Ndola Diocese.

Labels: AUGUSTINE MWEWA, CATHOLIC CHURCH, FREEDOM OF SPEECH

posted by MrK @ 3:54 PM