Vote for selfless leader, says Milingo
By Florence Bupe
Thursday September 11, 2008 [04:00]
EXCOMMUNICATED Roman Catholic archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has called on the Zambian electorate to ensure that they vote into office a selfless leader who will be dedicated to uplifting the living standards of ordinary people. And archbishop Milingo has challenged Christians to take a leading role in the fight against corruption.
In an interview yesterday, archbishop Milingo said it was critical for Zambians to elect into office a leader who would prioritise the needs of ordinary people, especially the poor.
"We need to elect a leader who will not be selfish, a leader who will be able to listen to the people and attend to their demands," archbishop Milingo said. "The next leader needs to uplift the living standards of every citizen."
He said the late president Levy Mwanawasa had left a legacy that needed to be upheld through his desire to improve the well-being of his people.
"I am together with many voices that are saying 'Levy put up a legacy to see that each Zambian has an improved livelihood'. We need to unite; each person should be able to identify with this legacy and contribute to its continuity," he said.
And archbishop Milingo observed that most Christians were not willing to take a leading role in the fight against corruption.
"Most Christians think corruption has nothing to do with them, but I must mention that every Christian has the responsibility to fight this scourge," archbishop Milingo said. "It is saddening to see that some Christians are actually the greatest contributors to corruption."
He said Christians had the challenge of transforming the world through fighting evil, including corruption.
Archbishop Milingo said the fight against evil should not be left to the church leadership alone, but that every member should take up the responsibility.
Archbishop Milingo said he would continue praying for the unity of the church and the nation as a whole as this was the only way evil could be overcome.
Labels: BISHOP MILINGO, LEADERSHIP
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Milingo has the right to be what he wants to be
By Editor
Thursday June 05, 2008 [04:00]
Emmanuel Milingo has the right to be what he wants to be.
And no one should stand in his way when he wants to enjoy his rights – his human rights. Milingo joined the Catholic Church as a young man and became a priest in this church voluntarily and without any coercion. And for many years, Milingo lived and worked by the rules and standards of this Church and the requirements and standards of a Catholic priest.
As a result of this, Milingo stood out among his fellow priests and was made an archbishop of this Church. But along the way, Milingo wanted to rewrite the rules and standards of Catholic priesthood. This brought him into conflict with the leadership of this Church – and justifiably so.
Milingo wanted to marry when the rules and standards of Catholic priesthood don’t allow that. And these are rules and standards which this old man has followed and abided by throughout the many decades of his priesthood. He now wanted the rules and standards of Catholic priesthood to be altered by him or for him. Institutions are not run this way. Institutions are not reformed in this way. This is anarchy. This is destructive behaviour.
And it’s understandable why Milingo is today excommunicated by the Catholic Church. And which church in this country doesn’t excommunicate those who don’t live by their rules and standards?
Excommunication is actually not limited to churches only. In one way or another, political parties, social clubs and other associations of all hues in one way or another carry out one form or another of excommunication for members or associates who don’t live or work by their rules and standards.
But excommunication does not mean Milingo cannot start his own church and preach the word of the Lord in a manner he deems fit.
What this excommunication of Milingo means is that he cannot preach the word of God in the name or under the banner of the Catholic Church because he is no longer allowed by this Church to do so. And this is done by all other churches in this country. If Milingo wants to continue preaching the word of God, he is free to do so under any name other than that of the Catholic Church.
And it’s not just unfair – it is actually crassly dishonest - for Milingo to claim that the Catholic Church in Zambia was falling apart. The truth is actually the opposite. The Catholic Church in Zambia is gaining strength, its congregations are growing and its activities among our people are becoming more and more deep-rooted through its social teachings.
Probably, it is a question of ego on the part of Milingo to think that because he is no longer at the centre of the Catholic Church in this country, then everything will start falling apart. The Catholic Church is far much bigger than any one individual, no matter how talented or meritorious they may be.
The Catholic Church may be the oldest institution, and it has gone through some very difficult trials – schisms and divisions of all kinds. Other churches – the Orthodox Church, for example – were created as a result of schisms. Then came Reformation, which led to the appearance of many other churches.
It’s true that the rock of St Peter, on which the Catholic Church was built, is solid and lasting. Throughout history, that institution has demonstrated its experience, its wisdom, and its capacity to adapt to reality.
It must have had some very difficult trials, from the time Galileo was condemned to the nuclear age and space flights, theories on the origins of the galaxies, the laws of evolution, and the advances in modern biology.
But the theologians always came up with explanations, new religious concepts were developed, and steps were taken to adapt the institution to the major political, economic and social changes, and scientific discoveries that have taken place in the world.
Now, too, the Catholic Church may be going through some very difficult trials, but we have no doubt they will be overcome.
We don’t want – nor can we want – divisions within the Catholic Church. We would like to see a united church supporting legitimate claims of the poor and of all mankind. We don’t think it is right to try to reform the Catholic Church in the manner Milingo is trying to do it; nor do we think it is right to promote divisions and confusion within this Church.
We do think, however, that solidarity with mankind’s most deeply felt aspirations for a united Church is politically better for all of us, and we sincerely hope that whatever problems or challenges that may arise within the Church will be resolved rationally.
It cannot be denied that belief in the possibility of change and renewal is perhaps one of the defining characteristics of politics and of religions. But this should not be seen to be synonymous with anarchy and indiscipline. An institution can only carry out its mandate if there is discipline, and where there is no discipline there can be no real progress.
The simple lesson of religions, of all philosophies and of life itself is that, although evil may be on the rampage temporarily, the good must win the laurels in the end.
The process which Milingo has started is a very negative one. If you start a process in which all of an institution’s values begin to be destroyed, that process is very negative.
A process has been unleashed by Milingo to try and destroy the authority of the Catholic Church’s leadership, of its priesthood. And if one destroys or undermines that authority, the consequences will be terrible.
Milingo’s attitudes and actions are a matter not of the analysis or criticism of problems, but of destruction and negation of all the values, merits and history of the Catholic Church.
Milingo is making an enormous mistake by failing to see the consequences of what he is doing and by not doing the right thing to reach the goals and purposes he is proclaiming.
We think the Catholic leadership deserves all our support because it is defending certain principles that are of tremendous value at a time of confusion and opportunism in the world, a time when many clergymen are feathering their own nests.
It is very clear that Milingo does not like or accept the organisation of the Catholic Church; he disagrees with the standards, rules and values of its priesthood. This being the case, it is difficult to see how Milingo can meaningfully continue to be a member or a leader of this Church. Milingo can only do so if the Catholic Church accepts to bend and accommodate all his wishes and desires.
If it’s not possible for the Catholic Church to do so, then the only sensible thing is for Milingo to leave the Church and go and do his own thing, enjoy his marriage and preach the word of God in his own way and in his own church.
He cannot claim to be a Catholic priest without being willing to abide by its standards, principles, rules and values.
Actually, it doesn’t seem that Milingo really wants to remain in the Catholic Church. His discernible desire seems to be the destruction of this institution before he actually accepts to be excommunicated.
Probably that’s why he may seem to be blinded by this single ambition into believing that the Catholic Church in Zambia was falling apart.
This is his propaganda. This is his own lie. And he now seems to believe his own propaganda and lies as truth. The ending for Milingo will be disastrous if he does not change course.
Labels: BISHOP MILINGO
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Milingo is not part of us,says Bishop Lungu
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Lambwe Kachali
Tuesday June 03, 2008 [04:00]
EMMANUEL Milingo still stands excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu has said. Bishop Lungu yesterdaysaid the Catholic faithful in the country should be aware that if the former archbishop was holding any religious functions, those ceremonies were being done outside the Catholic Church.
"Following what has come out in the media this week, we, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) wish to reiterate what we said in November 2006 that former Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo still stands excommunicated from the Catholic Church," Bishop Lungu said.
He said even if signs and symbols, as well as attire being used during the services resembled those of the Catholic Church, the services conducted were not part of the church.
However, Bishop Lungu noted that the former archbishop was a Zambian who was free to come home and do what he pleased.
"The Catholic Church has a divine right to legislate on matters concerning its own internal life," said Bishop Lungu.
And Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu said there was nothing more he could say about archbishop Milingo because he was not part of the Catholic Church anymore, whether he liked it or not.
"Whether he accepts it or not, period! If he is still insisting, that is his prerogative, that is his problem not our problem," said Archbishop Mpundu.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Milingo on Sunday during his healing session at Lusaka's Masiye Drive Inn, said God would be very strong on bishops and leaders who steal sex through adultery and fornication.
Archbishop Milingo said God knew the importance for people to get married.
He said it was unfortunate that some bishops had continued to take advantage of the weak in society in order to abuse them.
He said there was no need for religious leaders to refrain from marrying when God had allowed the union of Mary and Joseph.
"Mulungu ndiye apatsa moyo ngati mwamuna ndi mkanzi agwilizana kuti apange mwana kupyolela mwa Mulungu. God is the one who gives life when a man and woman agree to have a child through the Lord," Archbishop Milingo said. "When you commit adultery or fornication, you are stealing sex from someone's wife or husband, and God is and will be very strong on sex."
Archbishop Milingo said it was not a secret that some clergy and other national leaders were using their status in society to abuse the underprivileged.
He warned that God was supreme and would not judge people according to their status in society.
"Otherwise; anthu akuonongeni. The so-called educated ali ndi ndalama zimene sizimantha muthumba mwao. Kuli abambo ambili amene akuba sex ku anthu. Akabagwila, palibe chomwe amachita nabo pokuti amagula ajudge. People will destroy you. The so-called educated whose pockets do not run out of money, such as the bishops are stealing sex from people. When they are arrested, nothing happens because they easily bribe the judges," he said.
He said it was important for believers to marry in order to avoid sexual temptations.
Archbishop Milingo also told the gathering to confess their sins and turn to God if they were to see the Kingdom of Heaven.
"We have to take marriage very seriously. I think it is important to examine your lives. Tell the Lord that you are ready and you want to serve him; that you don't want any more sexual scandals in the country, that you want to be of service to others, to be the example," Archbishop Milingo said. "That you have sinned against many people and God should take away the sexual immorality and assure that you will not have sex with anyone. We, human beings are like fish in water; once it comes out of water it is dead. So we are. Immediately we get out of the hands of God, we are worthless. So let us ensure that we cling to God to have eternal life. To be in God's spirit all our lives."
And Archbishop Milingo said the political violence being experienced in some countries was a shame to the African continent.
He said it was sad that African countries had failed to realise the importance of their sovereignty.
He said the wars and political violence experienced in some African countries were a great source of worry on the future of the continent.
Archbishop Milingo said there was need to find a lasting solution to such violence.
"We have political wars that do not finish. What Rwanda had passed through is a shame to us Africans, what Zimbabwe is passing through is a shame to us Africans, so is Sudan, Kenya and now South Africa. As Africa, we need to change our political attitude if we are to maintain peace," said Archbishop Milingo.
Archbishop Milingo, who came into the country with his South Korean Wife Maria Sung last Saturday, is conducting healing sessions in Lusaka until Thursday.
Labels: BISHOP MILINGO, CATHOLIC CHURCH, GEORGE LUNGU
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My Marriage is beautiful, says Milingo
By Noel Sichalwe
Monday June 02, 2008 [12:55]
EX-COMMUNICATED Zambian Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has described his married life with Maria Sung as beautiful. In an interview on Saturday, Archbishop Milingo, 78, said he got back with his South Korean wife Sung, 50, in 2006 and that they have been together since then.
"My marriage is beautiful but between a white and black, although this one is not really white but they are Asians; but you know all the same, the task is not easy because all that demands us to surpass a lot of prejudices and ego that everyone of us has. When we surpass these, then we are ready to lead a proper life," he said.
Archbishop Milingo urged priests not to be ashamed of getting married.
"You priests who are not married tell us, there are a lot of women who are not married in the world. After marrying, you will be able to talk about the value of marriage to humanity," he said.
Archbishop Milingo said he knew that people were worried about his whereabouts because in the past seven years, he had been travelling to various countries promoting an organisation he heads, Married Priests Now.
He said he has been frequently travelling to Japan, Philippines, Argentina, United States of America, Rome, Korea and other nations to encourage Catholic Church priests that had suffered after they chose to marry.
"People are asking about my whereabouts rightly so. They are asking that 'is he moving freely or was he forced to move around?' But as a matter of fact, I am moving very freely. The job I have been working for married priests has caused me to visit many places. It is not easy to be indifferent in the situation of married priests.
People believe that when a priest has made a promise, they should be stuck to it," he said. "As the priest matures, the man is obliged to look twice at what he chose when he was under age when he realises they have been cheating him.
"They talk about sex looking on one side without looking about the value of sex to humanity. All they talk about is that sex is something to be ashamed of and that sin started from sex. So, there are all these kind of threats to priests."
Archbishop Milingo said the priests had been living with a lot of prejudice against sex and women because of the teachings they had received.
He said priests did not freely choose celibacy but that it was imposed on them and was against their will.
Archbishop Milingo said the priests who had chosen to be married should therefore not be looked down upon.
Archbishop Milingo said some of the priests that realised that celibacy was not their life decided to join Married Priests Now.
"I didn't change the mind of these priests who chose to get married, but they have just grown. This is also found in the life of people. People grow to make their own decisions and that is what they have done," he said. "What is actually bothering us is the suffering of the married priests, how much they suffer, how much they are mistreated, how much the church looks down upon them, some of whom have become laughing stock, humiliated and abandoned. So that, we find unjust. So these people must be treated properly.
This treatment is not fair at all. Some of them are being told that 'tell your people that you were not aware of your decision, you decided blindly without weighing properly the pros and cons' but I have meditated and I have reflected, I have found myself a fish out of water and I thought that I don't think this is my life and I have decided what I have decided."
Archbishop Milingo said he did not have any regret for deciding to marry after being a priest for a long time.
He said what had amazed him was the attitude of the Catholic Church that claimed to be a mother church.
"But I say if the Catholic Church is the mother church, how is it that they have humiliated us and send them away?" he asked. "For now, we are trying to do the best, first of all to bring these priests back because they have passed through different kinds of suffering but it is not easy.
What we are trying to do is to let them forgive all those people who have treated them badly. We have been trying to tell the priests to forget the suffering they have passed through and try to look at the needs of the church today. Parishes now are being closed like in Germany and big churches are being closed because people don't come to church.
"In Catholic, a priest is very important because he is the distributor of spiritual life. The priest is the so-called soldier in the front line. The number of priests declining is true everywhere especially this which has happened has humiliated the mother church."
However, Archbishop Milingo said his life was not in danger because he was speaking the truth and that the whole world was speaking the same language.
He said some people were even proposing that the new church should start ordaining new married priests that wanted to serve the people.
Archbishop Milingo also said there was nothing wrong with the use of the word 'catholic' in reference to the newly formed Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia.
He said ‘catholic’ meant ‘universal’ and that the new church headed by Archbishop elect Luciano Mbewe wanted to embrace people from diverse backgrounds.
"They are dealing with people who are ignorant," he said.
Archbishop Milingo, who is in the country until Thursday, also conducted mass at Lusaka's Masiye Drive Inn along Lumumba Road yesterday.
Briefing the press after conducting mass, Archbishop Milingo said he had not been excommunicated from the Catholic Church but that he had gone back to the original church.
He also said people should not label his group, Married Priests Now, as a cult.
Archbishop Milingo said the Catholic Church was proud with its approach to other religions saying he was trying to promote inter-religious affairs.
Archbishop Milingo, who will conduct another healing session on Wednesday, urged priests to go with their wives.
Archbishop Milingo, who was ordained bishop at the age of 39, was a thorn in the side of church authorities because of his controversial mass exorcism ceremonies. In 2001, he broke away from the Catholic Church and married Sung, then 43, at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the cult of Sun Myung Moon.
After a few weeks, Milingo acknowledged that his marriage to Sung was invalid, and was restored to regular status in the Catholic Church although he now lived under the watchful eye of Vatican officials.
However, in June 2006 Milingo disappeared from Rome and reappeared in the US at the side of suspended Archbishop George Stallings, leader of his own breakaway group, the African American Catholic Congregation based in Washington DC as well as followers of Moon at a press briefing calling on the Catholic Church to end priestly celibacy.
He also proceeded with the unauthorised ordination of four men, including Stallings, at the latter's church.
Archbishop Milingo was subsequently excommunicated by the Vatican in September that year for ordaining the priests without approval from the Holy See.
He then formed an organisation, Married Priests Now, which he heads.
Married Priests Now targets priest that have been excommunicated by the Catholic Church after deciding to break celibacy vows.
And last year, a splinter Catholic Church called the Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia was launched with Archbishop-elect Mbewe, calling for more priests to join the church and fulfil their God-given role by marrying.
But the Catholic Church in Zambia said it would take legal action against the break away church which was using its name.
Labels: BISHOP MILINGO
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