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ZEC, PF govt relationship cordial - Samasumo

ZEC, PF govt relationship cordial - Samasumo
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tue 23 Oct. 2012, 16:10 CAT

ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference spokesperson Father Paul Samasumo yesterday said ZEC's relationship with the government continues to be cordial.

And Fr Samasumo says the Catholic Church is presently unhappy about the deportation of Father Viateur Banyangandora, From front page and the constitution-making process.

Fr Samasumo said the Catholic Church and the government cooperate on many levels and fronts ranging from health, agriculture, provision of social services and through to health.
He said one of the concerns with the government was the constitution-making process.

"Our Bishops have urged the government to protect the constitution-making process in a legal framework. This has largely been ignored. Similarly ignored has been the call from ZEC and others for the appointment of a referendum commission that would already start preparations for the holding of a referendum."

Fr Samasumo said as things stand, ZEC would hesitate to endorse with confidence, the direction of the current constitution-making process.
"We still hope though that the end result will deliver to the people of Zambia a constitution that they have always yearned for - one that is all-inclusive and one that respects the basic minimums that have always come through in virtually all constitution review commissions," he said.

On the deportation of Fr Banyangandora, Fr Samasumo said: "We still do not have a satisfactory explanation about why such drastic action was visited on this priest. We still seek answers and the revocation of the deportation order. Our Bishops will be in Lusaka, in November, for their end of year meetings, and we expect they will find time (collectively) to engage with government on this issue."

And Fr Samasumo clarified media reports emanating from Parliament that the three Church mother bodies failed to submit views before the parliamentary select committee that was looking into the appointment of two new Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commissioners.

He said the truth was that the internal inquiry at the Catholic Secretariat showed that no such invitation was received from the parliamentary select committee for them to make submissions.

On independence, Fr Samasumo said Zambians had many reasons to be grateful to God, who had journeyed with them, as a nation, from 1964 to date.
"As a nation, it is true to say that we have had our fair share of challenges especially in the areas of governance, constitution-making, nation building and even state management.

Yet, though school report card might read 'unsatisfactory', we still have cause to celebrate because there are many good things happening in this country. We can also point to many great achievements. Some of those good things to be found, in Zambia, include the Zambian people themselves. In spite of ourselves, we are a good people. We are a friendly, hospitable, God-fearing and peace-loving people," he said.

"With all these good attributes, where then do we go wrong? Why is it that, notwithstanding all the positive economic indicators, poverty in the rural areas is worse? Why is all this mining boom not showing in the lives of our people? Politically, why do we seem to be drifting towards our tribal enclaves?"

He said independence was and should be a time of giving account.
"As in the Gospel parable of talents, (Mt. 25:19) independence asks us to give account of how we have used our various gifts that are to be found within this great country. Have we used the gifts to bring development or division? This independence should also be used as springboard to begin preparations for the great jubilee year of 50 years which will be with us in two years time.

We must not wait until the fifty years. We must start now to prepare and to interrogate ourselves sincerely as a people. Where do we want to be in the next 10, 50 years? What kind of Zambia shall we leave for posterity?" he asked.
Fr Samasumo said the Catholic Church's covenant with the people of Zambia was total.

He said the church was rooted in the Gospel of Christ and Catholic Social Teaching.
"We are committed to our prophetic role and will always endeavour to be the conscience of society, regardless of which political party is in government," he said.

Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, PAUL SAMASUMO, PF, ZEC

posted by MrK @ 3:34 PM