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Catholics are proud of Nkomeshya - Mpundu

Catholics are proud of Nkomeshya - Mpundu
By Mwala Kalaluka in Chongwe
Tue 08 Nov. 2011, 13:50 CAT

LUSAKA Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu says the Catholic Church is proud that its member, senior chieftainess Nkomeshya, is a principled leader who cannot be bullied by the powers that be. And Chongwe's St Paul Catholic Church priest in-charge, Fr Gabriel Mwanamwalye says the Church will not go on a picnic following its resolve to speak for the people.

Addressing congregants after he confirmed over 200 people at Chongwe's St Paul Catholic Church, Archbishop Mpundu said the people should threaten political leaders that do not want to listen to them using the ballot box.

"I would like to say this loudly and clearly before our people. It is us who are edified and humbled to see you so humble at the service of your people," Archbishop Mpundu told chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II.

"It is very rare to see chiefs who come and kneel down just bringing some gift. This is the attitude that her royal highness has, to serve people, not to be served and this is what we are confirmed for."

Archbishop Mpundu said the Catholic Church was proud of chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli people of Lusaka Province.

"We support you through and through. We want to remind our civic and political leaders that when we elect them into power we are the employers, they are our employees," Archbishop Mpundu said. "They are supposed to serve us and when they refuse to serve us, then we remind them or we threaten them with the ballot box."

On the forthcoming by-elections in Chongwe Constituency, Archbishop Mpundu urged the electorate to do chieftainess Nkomeshya proud by rejecting outsiders exporting violence to the area.

"On 24th November you go for voting, we as Christians don't know violence, whether it is violence in the mouth or physical violence, no. Only people who are very vulnerable and very weak want to use violence," said Archbishop Mpundu. "People in Chongwe are peaceful, it's outsiders who want to make them violent, reject them."

And in an earlier address, Fr Mwanamwalye said the Catholic Church does not fear anyone as it was founded on a solid foundation of the apostles.

"The Archbishop travelled to all these places, he saw how the people are living. He participated in their joy and sorrow, therefore when the Bishop is going to speak out at some point as he does most of the time, people ask him where do you speak from? Where do you get this and that?" Fr Mwanamwalye said.

"He speaks through experience, he knows what he is talking about and as a Bishop he is not on a picnic, no. The Catholic Church has never been on a picnic and we have a serious Archbishop and all the Bishops when they speak, it's because they see what is happening; they live with the people."

Fr Mwanamwalye asked those confirmed to be like soldiers who would defend the Church through praying for its leadership.

"Pray for them, they need your strength but above all show love to one another and I will tell you one thing, laziness is a sin," said Fr Mwanamwalye.

Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, TELESPHORE MPUNDU

posted by MrK @ 4:19 PM