Priest's Deportation shocks Catholics
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Thu 09 Aug. 2012, 12:20 CAT
CATHOLIC Diocese of Chipata Bishop George Lungu says the abduction and deportation of the Lundazi-based Rwandese priest Fr Viateur Banyangandora is a serious violation of human rights that has shocked the Church to the bone. And Bishop Lungu has appealed to Catholic priests not to be intimidated by anyone as they are ordained to preach the Gospel even in the face of persecution.
Fr Banyangandora, 40, a priest of Rwandese origin, was last Monday picked up by a combined team of security wings from his residence in connection with a homily he delivered on Sunday which was seen to have been inciting people to rise against the government.
In a statement addressed to all priests, religious sisters, brothers and the laity of Chipata Diocese to be read on Sunday August 12, Bishop Lungu stated that he, like the rest of the Catholic Church, was still in a state of shock that such a thing could happen to a priest and the government does not care to explain as to why he was abducted and deported.
He stated that the deportation of Fr Banyangandora must be immediately revoked and no one would be allowed to silence the voices of priests.
"I first learnt of the abduction of Fr Viateur on Monday July 30 around 17:00 hours when he, himself phoned me. He asked for permission to meet me in Chipata before proceeding to Lusaka where he was being taken.
I met him at Chipata Police Station where I had a brief chat with him. He told me that the security officers who took him did not clearly explain to him the reasons for his arrest except that it was in connection with Sunday Homily in which he spoke about cotton prices," Bishop Lungu stated.
"He assured me that he never attacked government in any way. His message was about sharing between the haves and the nots as the readings of the day were saying. On the day before his abduction, Fr Viateur spoke passionately about the plight and poverty of his parishioners and the people of Lundazi. He was exercising his prophetic ministry as any Catholic priest would and should."
Bishop Lungu stated that he was grieving with the parishioners and people of Lundazi who have been unjustly deprived of a pastor.
He said the deportation of Fr Banyangandora was great injustice that had been done to the Church by the government.
Bishop Lungu said the deported priest was "a good priest, a man of peace and integrity" adding that no amount of explanation would ever convince the Church that he would have behaved in a manner that would cause a breach of peace of the country.
"In Lundazi, I am reliably informed that Fr Viateur was interrogated on Monday 30th July 2012 by various officials, including the District Commissioner (a politician!) Fr Viateur was later that day brought to Chipata where he was further interrogated by a combined team of Immigration, Police and Office of the President (OP) agents.
During his interrogation and traumatising ordeal, he was not availed a lawyer and not a single diocesan official was present nor notified of Fr Viateur's arrest," Bishop Lungu stated.
"Without being charged, Fr Viatuer was later in the evening, driven to Lusaka in the night. From then on there is a blackout of information. Where was Fr Viateur taken? Was he beaten, tortured? Was he being fed? What did they do about his diabetic medicine? His BP medicine? What really did the State do to Fr Viateur? We will need answers. What crime did Fr Viateur really commit? Has preaching the Gospel in a so-called Christian Nation become a crime?"
Bishop Lungu stated that when Fr Banyangandora was being held by the security wings, he and colleagues from the diocesan administration of Chipata Diocese made several and frantic attempts to secure his release but they failed.
He stated that his administration had spoken to politicians, heads of the various security wings both in Chipata and in Lusaka but in most cases the people that were spoken to were tight-lipped and did not want to give any information.
Bishop Lungu stated that most of them were overzealous, not notwithstanding the fact that they were clearly afraid for their jobs.
Bishop Lungu said he personally even phoned and spoke to President Michael Sata on the issue who only promised that he would get back him.
"We were kept in the dark about the safety and the whereabouts of Fr Viateur for four days until the announcement after the deportation by the Zambian government on the evening of Thursday August 2 by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Edgar Lungu who finally confirmed, through the media, of his deportation from Zambia to Rwanda.
The reasons given were that our beloved priest was deported for violating the laws of Zambia and that his conduct was found to be a danger to peace and good order in Zambia contrary to Section 39(2) of the immigration and deportation Act, No. 18 of 2010. Even after this confirmation, there was no courtesy on the part of government to inform me about the plight of our priest. I too, heard it through the media," Bishop Lungu stated.
He stated that the PF government was voted into the government on a popular platform of correcting the injustices of the past and entrenching good governance and a democratic culture where the rule of law would reign supreme.
Bishop Lungu said the Church never thought there would be a day in the current government when the freedom of expression, let alone at the pulpit, would be criminalised in the country.
He stated that the government must instead address real issues that were affecting the poor.
"Notwithstanding the fact that Fr Banyangandora holds a Rwandan passport, his human and constitutional rights have been grossly violated by the state. The way he has been treated flies in the face of natural justice. He was not given opportunity to be heard; he was not allowed legal representation of his choice and he was detained in secret location," Bishop Lungu stated.
"To all the faithful, it may take one week, one month or many years but we will not rest until justice and truth are served in this matter. We believe that justice and truth will be served one day! Fr Viateur will one day return to us. Could the deportation of Fr Viateur signal the start of worse things to come for this community and for our priests? Only God knows."
Meanwhile, Bishop Lungu has appealed to priests in the country to be fearless in spreading the Gospel, saying by doing so, they will be carrying out the prophetic role of being the conscience of society.
"As Jesus said, 'do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Gehena (Matthew 10:28)'," Bishop Lungu said.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, GEORGE LUNGU, MICHAEL SATA
Read more...
Government’s selfishness is hindering fair polls - Mulongoti
By Ernest Chanda
Thu 07 July 2011, 04:02 CAT
MIKE Mulongoti says it is difficult to have free and fair elections because of selfishness among the people running government. Commenting on Chipata Catholic diocese Bishop George Lungu's observation that elections should not just be said to be free and fair but must actually be seen to be so, the former works and supply minister said there was need to push for a level playing field.
Mulongoti said it was such selfishness, which always brought contention during and after elections.
“When you see those in power bambazonke (holding on to everything) the press and anything else, then that is the beginning of contention. In the current circumstance there is no room for free and fair elections because those in control of the treasury are selfish. And this situation will always create room for contention,” said Mulongoti.
'But if we had a situation where the controllers of the treasury channel resources to building the foundation for democracy there will be no contention.
And democracy is about people accepting the election process and the outcome. But in the current scenario it can't happen, we shall always have tension and contention in the nation.”
During a Catholic Church organised 'walk for peace' on Saturday, Bishop Lungu, the former ZEC president who was represented by Caritas Chipata director Fr Vincent Daka, said in an election peace could only be sustained when elections were free and fair.
“And as such, elections should not just be said to be free and fair but are actually seen to be free and fair. This means creating a level-playing ground for all stakeholders and the entire process is as transparent as possible,” he said.
“Therefore, all of us are called to contribute to the elections being free and fair in order to maintain peace.”
Bishop Lungu urged Zambians to preach peace before, during and after the elections.
“We stand here because we understand the value of peace. We gather here to pray for peace in our beloved country Zambia as we head for elections later this year. We cannot underestimate the importance of peace for any country,” said Bishop Lungu.
“We have only one Zambia, we have only one nation. Peace has also to be seen to be at work through forgiveness and reconciliation. We gather here today not because we belong to a particular religious background, or political affiliation or we are members of this tribe or that tribe, but Zambians.”
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, GEORGE LUNGU, MIKE MULONGOTI
Read more...
Attacks on Catholics won’t win MMD votes - ZEC
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Fri 20 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE government’s sponsored attacks on the Catholic Church will not win them votes from our members in this year’s elections, says Bishop George Lungu (left).
And the executive board of Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has directed the Catholic Secretariat to monitor the situation and, if the attacks continue, consider engaging lawyers and begin legal proceedings against those who are defaming and vilifying the Church, including the media houses that enable them to do so.
In a letter to all Catholics in Zambia to be read in all Catholic Churches on Ascension Sunday on June, 5 on the constant attacks on Catholics, Bishop Lungu who is ZEC president said Zambians had in the recent few months witnessed a growing barrage of attacks in the public media against the Catholic Church in Zambia, its leadership, priests and even its doctrine.
“Many of you have made representation to us, your Bishops and spoken of your pain at these unwarranted attacks. At a recent Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) executive board meeting held in Lusaka on May, 3, 2011, at Kapingila Guest House, this issue was one of the items on our agenda. It is for this reason that I write you this letter, on behalf of my brother Catholic Bishops, in Zambia,” he said.
Bishop Lungu said it had become clear that these attacks on the Church were co-ordinated and planned.
“We know, for example, that the likes of Chanda Chimba III (a Catholic!) would never on their own accord have the operational and financial ability to carry on the kind of attacks being waged against Catholics.
We also note the growing but steady stream of individuals, journalists and questionable organisations that are ready to parade themselves before the public media vilifying innocent citizens and the Catholic Church,” he said.
He said these individuals and organisations were given puzzling and unfettered access to the public media and were allowed to despise, with venomous passion and impunity, more than three million Catholics in Zambia (a third of the country’s entire population).
“How can this happen in a country where we, the Zambian people, as taxpayers are supposed to be the owners of these public media? Since all public media are owned and controlled by government, we can safely conclude that these attacks on our Church are sponsored by government. Whatever the case, this is not the way of winning the Catholic vote in an election year,” he said.
He said the gist of the attacks, clearly, was meant to discredit and cast aspersions against the leadership and general membership of the Catholic Church in Zambia.
Bishop Lungu said in the process, this was meant to create despondency, division and confusion among Catholics.
“Whoever is behind these attacks is working on the principle of divide and rule – trying to divide Catholics in Zambia. When these attacks distort the Catholic Church’s moral doctrine on celibacy or homosexuality, we all have cause for alarm.
With regard to homosexuality, let me re-state categorically that Catholic teaching does not promote homosexuality,” he said.
He said the Catholic Church’s constant and firm teaching on homosexual acts was unequivocal.
“Homosexual acts are seriously wrong and sinful. Under no circumstances can homosexual acts be approved. The fact that the Catholic Church makes a distinction between the homosexual act and homosexual orientation or inclination is not promoting homosexuality.
Homosexuals are human beings with their problems and their joys, that as human beings they deserve respect, even though they have this inclination, and must not be discriminated against because of it. Respect for man and woman is absolutely fundamental and decisive,” he said.
Bishop Lungu further said their engagement in politics was only motivated by their divine obligation to speak on behalf of the voiceless in the country.
He said in exercising this prophetic ministry, the Church would be neutral insofar as partisan politics were concerned.
“When we speak, as Bishops, our message has nothing to do with any perceived dislike or preference for any particular sitting President or any political party. We therefore refuse to be intimidated, cowed into silence or to compromise or be silenced on national issues –important issues that affect poor people!” he said.
Bishop Lungu said having said this and faced with endless attacks on the Church which they expected to grow as the election date drew near, he urged all Catholics in Zambia to embrace a calm spirit and an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation when provoked.
“It might help to remember that this public slandering of the Catholic leadership, its Catholic faithful and doctrine is nothing new – although this time around, the attacks are more vicious and aggressive. Catholics are an Easter people and we subscribe to Jesus’ teaching when he says; “But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
(Matthew 5:39) To turn the other cheek is neither humiliating nor a weakness,” he said “As your Bishops, we will not respond in shame nor resort to the language of anger that those attacking us use. We have dignity in Christ. Our dignity in Christ does not consist in hitting back. It is in forgiveness and reconciliation. This is not to say we will be quiet when there is need to speak out,” he said.
He said forgiveness, reconciliation and justice go hand in hand and it was for this reason that the executive board of ZEC has directed the Catholic secretariat management to monitor the situation and if the attacks continue, to consider engaging lawyers and begin legal proceedings against those who are making a habit of defaming and vilifying our Church, including if necessary, the media houses that enable them to do so.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, DORA SILIYA, GEORGE LUNGU, ZEC
Read more...
Christian politicians
By The Post
Mon 02 May 2011, 04:00 CAT
CHRISTIANS must be conscious of their specific and proper role in the political community.
As Bishop George Lungu has aptly put it, Christians who are in politics should be apostles of the others and they should help enlighten each other in their calling. For Christians, political involvement and demanding expression of the Christian commitment of service to others is cardinal. Politics needs people with credibility. Their presence in the political arena should bring gospel values to the political process.
The participation of Christians in political life should be guided by the gospel values of respect for human dignity, human rights, common good, social justice, solidarity, integral development, special concern for the poor and non-violence in resolving conflicts. For Christians, politics is not a dirty game but is a genuine way of being at the service of others for the integral development of the country.
What we are seeing today in our politics is disheartening, disgusting and discouraging. Politicians who are supposed to be exemplary in their conduct because they are Christians and occupy high positions in the Christian church are proving to be the worst in terms of gospel values. They are corrupt when they should be leading in providing an honest service to our people; when they should be leading the way in the honest discharge of a public trust. They are leading the way in telling lies when they should be showing the way in truthful politics. They are leading the way when it comes to intolerance and disrespect for others when they should be leading the way in humbly accepting their wrongdoings and asking for forgiveness for the times they may have dominated others. They are leading the way when it comes to hatred of political opponents when they should be showing the way on how to love one’s neighbour, one’s fellow citizen and one’s political adversaries. They are leading the way in the abuse of power and public resources when they should be leading the way in thriftiness and in ensuring that the poor get the maximum benefit from the proper and prudent use of the limited resources of their country.
Instead of leading the way to dialogue, listening to others and sharing their own views with others, they are leading the way in trying to assert their hegemony over others and in not listening to the views and feelings of others. And instead of being exemplary in respecting human life as a precious gift from God the source of all life, they are leading in dehumanising others, in degrading real and perceived political opponents and in the killing of those who are seen to be standing in the way of their political interests. Instead of fighting corruption and showing our people that corruption is not good, they are the defenders, perpetrators and promoters of corruption and of the corrupt.
Without being personal, we would like to give the example of Reverend Ronnie Shikapwasha. This man occupies a senior position in the church and in the government, and indeed in the politics of our country. But we ask the question: what gospel values has Ronnie brought to our government and our national politics? Ronnie leads in intolerance. Ronnie is a shameless liar who never hesitates to lie in order to please his political bosses and keep his job. What is Christian about Ronnie’s politics and conduct?
We had Frederick Chiluba, a man who decreed this nation a Christian one and after that went on rampage engaging in all sorts of unChristian things – adultery, corruption, stealing, plunder, intolerance, hypocrisy, lies and so on and so forth. Chiluba tried very hard, in word, to portray himself and his government as Christian. But we should ask ourselves: what kind of Christian society did Chiluba try to build in this country? Is corruption Christian?
Again, we are reminded by Jesus: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Thus, spirituality is a way of living life according to the spirit. Proclaiming oneself Christian and decreeing one’s country a Christian nation without Christian deeds is worthless; as James stated, “What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith, by itself, if it has no works, is dead,” (James 2:14 – 17).
Justice begins at home and Christian politicians must be the first to give witness and they are expected to respect themselves and to be exemplary in their daily lives and political practices. They cannot call others to virtues which they themselves do not make an effort to practice.
There is no way politicians like Shikapwasha can go to church on Sunday, take a stand in the pulpit and preach Christian faith and expect people to follow them when every day they see them doing the opposite. They certainly cannot preach Christian or gospel values to others if they do not practice them themselves. They cannot go out preaching the gospel and claim to uphold the sanctity of life and then go out to defend the slaughter of defenseless, unarmed and innocent citizens by the police they command.
For Christians, political power must have as its aim the achievement of the common good. And for them, the whole existence of civil authorities should be the realisation of the common good based on “… You shall love your neighbour as you love yourself” (Mark 12:31).
And for a Christian politician, the best way to “love your neighbour as yourself” is to contribute to the common good.
We remind our Christian politicians that to be a Christian means to be like Christ, to be a follower of Christ. We know that Christ was humble, most pure, poor, meek: how can his disciple and imitator be proud, dishonest, greedy, corrupt, intolerant, violent angry, a liar?
Alexander the Great once said to a soldier who also had the same name but was sluggish, mean and cowardly: “Either change your name or change your behaviour.”
How many of our Christian politicians are there who have no more than the name and the baptism of Jesus Christ, while they live like pagans! What shame, what remorse! In a word, we can rightly conclude that he who does not imitate Christ does not love Christ. We say this because love is imitation. The persons who really love Jesus are those who follow him to Calvary, in his private life of obedience, in his humility. Imitation is the infallible character to distinguish the lovers of Jesus. There is no middle path.
Labels: CHRISTIANITY, GEORGE LUNGU
Read more...
‘We need peace’
By The Post
Sun 26 Dec. 2010, 04:00 CAT
“WE need peace in our country; peace in our homes and peace in our communities, in our families, in our churches, in politics and peace in our hearts. When we reconcile with others, we immediately experience peace in our hearts. It is this peace that we will bring to others in our families, homes, in our relationships, at our places of work and in our country.”
This is the Christmas message to Zambians from Bishop George Lungu, president of the Zambia Episcopal Conference. And Bishop Lungu adds: “The world today thirsts for peace. Peace can only come if there is genuine reconciliation.”
But the peace Bishop Lungu is talking about is not something that we can purchase, it is not for sale; peace has to be lived. And we can’t live our peace without commitment to humans, and our commitment to them can’t exist without their liberation, and their liberation can’t exist without the final transformation of the structures that are dehumanising them. There is only one way for us to find peace: to work for it shoulder to shoulder with our fellow human beings like beavers.
Peace is, above all, a work of justice. It presupposes and requires the establishment of a just order in which persons can fulfil themselves as human beings, where their dignity is respected, their legitimate aspirations satisfied, their access to truth recognised, their personal freedom guaranteed; an order where persons are not objects but agents of their own history. Therefore, there will be attempts against peace where unjust inequalities among individuals prevail.
Peace in our country, therefore, is not the simple absence of violence and bloodshed. Suppression, repression and oppression by those in power may give the impression of maintaining peace and order, but in truth it is nothing but the continuous and inevitable seed of tension, conflict and instability.
Peace can only be obtained by creating a new order, which carries with it a more perfect justice among our people. It is in this sense that integral human development path to more humane conditions becomes the symbol of peace. Peace is a permanent task. A community becomes a reality in time and is subject to a movement that implies constant change in structures, transformation of attitudes and conversion of hearts.
The tranquility of order is neither passivity nor conformity. It is not something that is acquired once and for all. It is the result of continuous effort and adaptation to new circumstances, to new demands and challenges of a changing history. A static and apparent peace may be obtained with the use of force; an authentic peace implies struggle, creative abilities, and permanent conquest.
Peace is not found, it is built. And as Bishop Lungu has correctly observed, the Christian is the artisan of peace. This task has a special character in our country: thus, the people of God in our country, following the example of Christ, must resist personal and collective injustice with unselfish courage and fearlessness.
Peace is the fruit of love. It is the expression of true fellowship among human beings, a union given by Christ, prince of peace, in reconciling all persons with the Father. Love is the soul of justice. Christians who work for social justice should always cultivate peace and love in their hearts. Therefore, there we will find the rejection of peace of the Lord, and a rejection of the Lord himself.
We are starting to witness increasing political violence in our country, especially in the run-up to elections and during elections. A decision on which the future of our country will depend should not be left to the impulses of emotion and passion. We would be failing in our duties if we were not to remind the conscience, caught in this dramatic dilemma, of the criteria derived from the Christian doctrine of evangelical love. No one should be surprised if we forcefully reaffirm our faith in the productiveness of peace.
This is an ideal not only for Christians but for all human beings of goodwill. Violence is neither Christian nor evangelical. Christians are peaceful and not ashamed of it. They are not simply pacifists, for they can fight but they prefer peace to tension, conflict and violence. They know that violent changes in structures or defence of structures would be fallacious, ineffectual in themselves, and not conforming to human dignity, which demands that the necessary changes take place from within – that is to say, through a fitting awakening of conscience, adequate preparation and effective participation of all, which the ignorance and often inhuman conditions of life make impossible to assure at this time. As Christians believe in the productiveness of peace in order to achieve justice, they also believe that justice is a prerequisite for peace.
Facing a situation which works so seriously against human dignity and against peace, it is not surprising that Bishop Lungu, in his Christmas message, is asking all of us as citizens of this country and as Christians to assume our responsibility in the promotion of peace in our country.
We would like to direct this message in the first place to those who have a greater share of power. We know that there are some leaders in our country who are sensitive to the needs of the people and try to remedy them. They recognise that the privileged many times join together, with all the means at their disposal to obstruct necessary changes. Therefore, we urge them not to take advantage of the pacifist position of the church in order to oppose, either actively or passively, the profound transformations that are so necessary. If they jealously retain their privileges and power and defend them through violence, they are responsible to history for provoking counter-reaction of despair. The peaceful future of our country depends, to a large extent, on their attitude.
Also responsible for injustice are those who remain passive for fear of the sacrifice and personal risk implied by any courageous and effective action. Justice, and therefore peace, conquers by means of a dynamic action of awakening and organisation of the popular sectors, which are capable of pressing pubic officials who are often impotent in their social projects without popular support. We address ourselves finally to those who, in the face of injustice and illegitimate resistance to change, put their hopes in violence. Let us not speak here of empty works which do not imply personal responsibility and which isolate persons from the fruitful non-violent actions that are immediately possible.
In the face of tension which conspire against peace, and even present the temptation of violence; in the face of the Christian concept of peace, we believe that we cannot avoid assuming very concrete responsibilities; because to create a just social order, without which peace is illusory, is an eminently Christian task. It is also up to all of us to denounce everything which, opposing justice, destroys peace. In this spirit we feel there is need to awaken in individuals and communities a living awareness of justice, infusing in them a dynamic sense of responsibility and solidarity; to defend the rights of the poor and the oppressed according to the Gospel commandments, urging our politicians to eliminate anything which might destroy social peace: injustice, inertia, venality, insensibility; to favour integration, energetically denouncing the abuses and unjust consequences of the excessive inequalities between poor and rich, weak and powerful; to request the perfecting of the administration of justice, whose deficiencies often cause serious ills; and to encourage and praise the initiatives and works of all those who in the diverse areas of action contribute to the creation of a new order which will assure peace in our midst. We should never remain indifferent in the face of the tremendous social injustices existent in our country, which keep the majority of our people in dismal poverty, which in many cases becomes inhuman and wretchedness.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, PEACE
Read more...
The world thirsts for peace - Bishop Lungu
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 26 Dec. 2010, 04:01 CAT
PEACE can only come when there is genuine reconciliation, says Bishop George Lungu. Bishop Lungu, the Zambia Episcopal Conference president and Chipata Diocese head, said the world today thirsts for peace.
“We need peace in our country; peace in our homes and peace in our communities, in our families, in our churches, in politics and peace in our hearts,” said Bishop Lungu in his Christmas message on Thursday.
“When we reconcile with others we immediately experience peace in our hearts. It is this peace that we will bring to others in our families, homes, in our relationships, at our places of work and in our country.”
He said people should be recipients of angelic blessing of peace by striving to be of goodwill towards others.
“The heavenly choir together with the angel of God sang to the shepherd a hymn in praise of God and a wish of peace to people of goodwill. Why not be a recipient of this angelic blessing of peace by striving to be a person of goodwill towards others this Christmas,” he said.
“Goodwill shown in the choice of words, actions and gestures we use in our homes, in our communities, at our places of work? I wish you all a Christmas celebration with Jesus. May Jesus and peace and reconciliation be born in our hearts and lives, that the world may believe that He, Jesus Christ, is our Saviour. He is the prince of peace and He is our salvation.”
Bishop Lungu urged Zambians to make this Christmas unique and memorable.
“Make that first move to go and get reconciled with your wife, your child, your husband, your uncle, your auntie, your friend, your neighbour and so on. Now is the time and like St Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians: I appeal to you brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ: Be reconciled to God and one another,” said Bishop Lungu.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, PEACE
Read more...
Kitwe MMD members bemoan endorsement of Chilambwe
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Mon 13 Dec. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOME MMD Kitwe district executive committee members are unhappy with the endorsement of Joseph Chilambwe as the candidate at the forthcoming provincial convention. But district chairman George Lungu said the matter was discussed and the majority showed continued support for Chilambwe.
The members, who preferred anonymity, said interim provincial party chairperson Chilambwe and his entire executive had failed and the party was not performing well in the province.
“At the province the party is sleeping and why should we endorse people who have failed to organise the party? If anything, the provincial committee only becomes active when the President is in the region and this approach is wrong especially that we are entering an election year,” one of the members said.
“Even some ordinary members like task force chairperson Joe Malanji are able to organise the party through holding campaign rallies but we don’t see this coming from the provincial committee.”
But Lungu, who was flanked by his deputy Simon Kunda, said the decision to endorse Chilambwe was democratic.
“We are 24 in the executive and this matter was put to a vote and the majority won so it is not true that we bulldozed this decision and we understand people have diverse views but in this case it is a collective decision whether one likes it or not and we shall support Chilambwe,” said Lungu.
Information and publicity secretary William Nyirenda described Chilambwe as a hardworking member who was loyal to the party and President Rupiah Banda.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, KITWE, MMD YOUTH LEAGUE
Read more...
Govt is misunderstanding Catholic Bishops – Fr Msipu
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 26 July 2010, 14:00 CAT
The Bishops always want to advise the government in good faith but they are being misunderstood, Chipata Diocese Vicar General Father Gabriel Msipu has said. And Science and Technology deputy minister Lameck Mangani said the government would continue working with the church in order to promote the common good.
During celebrations to mark Archbishop Merdado Joseph Mazombwe’s 50 years of priesthood and Bishop George Lungu’s 25 years in priesthood at St Anne’s Cathedral last Sunday, Fr Msipu said the Bishops were the public’s spokespersons on issues that affect the people in both spiritual and physical life.
“We know that you always want to advise our leaders in good faith but you are being misunderstood, you should not backtrack but you should continue speaking for the people because this is your role and you should be prepared to suffer for your flock that you are leading,” Fr Msipu said.
“We should pray for our leaders so that they rule us with justice, unity and should be ready to serve their people because both the church and the government are serving the same people. Let us engage each other with respect so that people remain one and united.”
He observed that the flock was complaining and crying because of the high poverty levels in the country.
“Help us, together with the government and other people involved in developmental programmes so that poverty can be reduced,” Fr Msipu said.
He said it was difficult for people who were suffering to understand that God was love.
“It’s too difficult for the people who are suffering to believe that God is love and it is also difficult for us to preach the good news to them. Let’s work with government in various developmental programmes like on issues to do with schools, hospitals and many other sectors,” Fr Msipu said.
He urged the government to work with the church in addressing drugs shortages in church run hospitals and other areas.
“The money is not always enough and it becomes difficult for those that are running church hospitals to continue with their work,” Fr Msipu said.
He said the Christians were worried with the current (political) situation which gave doubt as to whether next years elections would be held in a peaceful manner.
“We ask our Bishops to engage those responsible and can help us on this (elections). We must try by all means to have freedom and unity even during and after next year’s elections, we don’t want next year’s elections to be violent. We are not talking of peace because there is no war but we are looking at how things are moving at the moment,” Fr Msipu said.
He said the other area where the Bishops could speak for the people was the area of agriculture where the farmers are not benefiting from their farming activities.
“Farmers are being exploited and they are not benefitting from their farming. Injustices should reduce in our midst and those that can help speak for us are the Bishops. There is need for proper cooperation between the church and the government, sometimes it does auger well to attack and doubt each other like what is happening at the moment,” Fr Msipu said.
He commended the two Bishops for what they did in the diocese.
Archbishop Mazombwe reaffirmed the church’s commitment to working with the government in the areas of education health and others.
“Both Bishop George and I resolve and decide to forge ahead in order that we continue to render service to you,” Archbishop Mazombwe said.
He said Bishop Lungu’s vocation was unique.
Bishop Lungu who is also Zambia Episcopal Conference president and Chipata Diocese Bishop commended Archbishop Mazombwe for his guidance during his journey to priesthood.
And Mangani who is also Chipata Central member of parliament said the government was happy and proud of the tremendous contribution that the two Bishops have made in the lives of many Zambians through their service in the church and also to government.
“There is no need for me to list the many works that the two Bishops have achieved in their service over the years. What they have done is there for all to see. Going by their ministry, you may all be aware that the two Bishops have served the church in various capacities before they were appointed shepherds of this Diocese and Lusaka,” Mangani said.
He said service to God and service to a fellow human being was what the church promotes and encourages.
“When I see the church, dear people of God, it is a living spiritual fountain of this nation. No other institution can play this role because no other institution is adequate even to claim this role for itself,” Mangani said.
Archbishop Mazombwe was ordained priest on 4 September 1960 while Bishop Lungu was ordained on 29 August 1985.
The function was attended by secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio, several Malawian Bishops and government officials among many others.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, GABRIEL MSIPU, GEORGE LUNGU, MERDADO JOSEPH MAZOMBWE
Read more...
Give farmers money when they sell their produce, Bishop Lungu urges govt
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sat 22 May 2010, 04:01 CAT
CHIPATA Catholic Diocese Bishop George Lungu has urged the government to ensure that farmers are given their money as soon as they sell their produce. In an interview in Chipata on Friday, Bishop Lungu, who is also Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president, said farmers needed money urgently to solve their problems.
“Government should ensure that farmers are given money in good time after selling their crops. It shouldn’t be after five or six months. Why, what is the problem? If they Food Reserve Agency buy their maize let them give the farmers their money as quickly as possible because they need the money,” Bishop Lungu said.
“Again that’s another challenge because you see after selling they have receipts that show that they have sold their maize to FRA but they don’t have the cash. They are not going to use that receipt to buy things from the market, they are not going to use that receipt for the school fees and so on. They need cash.”
He said if the government buys maize in good time but fails to pay on time, the whole marketing exercise becomes fussy. Bishop Lungu said the government should establish markets close to farmers.
“Government should ensure that markets are close to a farmer and they did not give a chance to a briefcase buyer to reach the farmer first because people are desperately in need of money. They need money for school fees, they need for paying at the hospital,” Bishop Lungu said.
Bishop Lungu said markets should also be accompanied by good road network.
And Eastern Province FRA coordinator Godfrey Munyoro said the satellite depots had been increased in most districts of the province.
“I think FRA and the government have heard the cries of the farmers, so the satellite depots have been increased from seven to 15 in the province, apart from Chama and Mambwe. In Mambwe, we never used to buy maize there but last season we started in two satellites. But for this season the satellites in Mambwe have been increased to three,” Munyoro.
“Then in Chama we had seven satellite depots, six of which were being managed by FRA, then the seventh one was managed on behalf of Chama District by Isoka District that is Chibale. So basically from the six that were being managed by Chama have increased to ten but if you include Chibale then you are talking of eleven satellite depots,” he said.
Munyoro urged the farmers to ensure that the maize was fully dry before taking it for sale.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, FARMERS, GEORGE LUNGU, GODFREY MUNYORO, SATELLITE DEPOTS
Read more...
C0MMENT - Why are farmers paid in IOU's? Why are they not paid cash on delivery? It is almost as if no one is allowed to have money in Zambia.
Pay farmers their dues, Bishop Lungu urges govt
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 16 May 2010, 03:40 CAT
CHIPATA Catholic Diocese Bishop George Lungu has urged the government to ensure that farmers are given their money as soon as they sell their produce.
In an interview in Chipata on Friday, Bishop Lungu, who is also Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president, said farmers needed money urgently to solve their problems.
“Government should ensure that farmers are given money in good time after selling their crops. It shouldn’t be after five or six months. Why, what is the problem? If they Food Reserve Agency buy their maize let them give the farmers their money as quickly as possible because they need the money,” Bishop Lungu said.
“Again that’s another challenge because you see after selling they have receipts that show that they have sold their maize to FRA but they don’t have the cash. They are not going to use that receipt to buy things from the market, they are not going to use that receipt for the school fees and so on. They need cash.”
He said if the government buys maize in good time but fails to pay on time, the whole marketing exercise becomes fussy. Bishop Lungu said the government should establish markets close to farmers.
“Government should ensure that markets are close to a farmer and they did not give a chance to a briefcase buyer to reach the farmer first because people are desperately in need of money. They need money for school fees, they need for paying at the hospital,” Bishop Lungu said.
Bishop Lungu said markets should also be accompanied by good road network.
And Eastern Province FRA coordinator Godfrey Munyoro said the satellite depots had been increased in most districts of the province.
“I think FRA and the government have heard the cries of the farmers, so the satellite depots have been increased from seven to 15 in the province, apart from Chama and Mambwe. In Mambwe, we never used to buy maize there but last season we started in two satellites. But for this season the satellites in Mambwe have been increased to three,” Munyoro.
“Then in Chama we had seven satellite depots, six of which were being managed by FRA, then the seventh one was managed on behalf of Chama District by
Isoka District that is Chibale. So basically from the six that were being managed by Chama have increased to ten but if you include Chibale then you are talking of eleven satellite depots,” he said.
Munyoro urged the farmers to ensure that the maize was fully dry before taking it for sale.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DOMESTIC DEBT, FARMERS, FRA, GEORGE LUNGU, MAIZE
Read more...
‘Free and fair elections are possible in Zambia’
By The Post
Sun 28 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT
WE agree with Bishop George Lungu’s observation that “free and fair elections are possible in Zambia”. Truly, free and fair elections are possible but to have peaceful, free and fair elections, certain conditions have to prevail in our country and in our hearts.
There ought to be a conducive atmosphere. The major political players have to agree on the conditions under which elections would be held.
The contestants have to conduct themselves in a manner that does not put others at an unfair disadvantage. There ought to be transparency in the organisation of elections.
We therefore urge the Church and other credible institutions in our country to ensure that political parties keep to pertinent issues, for example, service to the poor, social welfare, agricultural issues, during their campaigns.
Those who campaign outside these issues are not promoting peaceful elections and should not be voted for in next year’s elections.
The Church, and all citizens of goodwill, should demand that all political parties publicly denounce violence, intimidation and intolerance of any sort.
Constructive dialogue should be encouraged at all times on key electoral issues, such as the ongoing constitution review process and voter registration.
All political parties should have fair access to the state-owned media, and the media have a duty to report political campaigns fairly and accurately.
In the light of these necessary conditions, there is need for the government and the ruling MMD to realise that they have a serious responsibility.
As facilitators of next year’s election, they should ensure that the concerns of all key players are adequately addressed.
And there is need for the opposition political parties to be open and constructive in their participation in the electoral process and in addressing whatever problems and differences that may arise.
The Church has both the right and duty to participate fully in building a just and peaceful Zambia with all the means at its disposal.
It is therefore pleasing to learn that the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace will sensitise voters in all the church’s 10 dioceses across the width and breadth of our country.
There is need to sensitise voters so that they can vote for honest leaders in next year’s elections and not people that are just interested in themselves, in their own stomachs and pockets.
Justice demands this from the Church. And a church is not fully rooted among its people if it does not try to establish justice.
Bishop Lungu says, “People admire us in Zambia for one thing: peace. A number of countries have had problems emanating from issues of elections, governance, development and so forth, but in Zambia we have until now enjoyed relative peace and I believe it is important to sustain this peace.
And we the bishops are convinced that the issues we have raised, if they are not addressed adequately, it will be very difficult indeed to sustain that peace.”
Truly, this peace we are enjoying shouldn’t be taken for granted. If we are careless, we will soon lose it the way other sister African nations have lost it.
We should always bear in mind that peace is more than the absence of war. It is the fruit of that right ordering of things with which the divine founder has invested in human society and which must be actualised by people thirsting after an ever more perfect reign of justice.
And if peace is to continue in our country, there is need for us to ensure that the causes of any dissension, of any conflicts that may arise from time to time among our politicians and their supporters must be eradicated.
It is very important to maintain and strengthen democratic structures, especially those associated with the conduct of elections, if we are to enjoy a peaceful and developing future.
Peace is the fruit of honesty, truth and solidarity; it is the tranquillity of order. And to guarantee peace, all have to be called to maturity, tolerance and responsibility.
Next year’s elections will provide all Zambians with a unique opportunity to show their political maturity and their sincere aspiration for peace and harmony anchored in justice.
Therefore there is need to prepare ourselves to enter into this forthcoming electoral process.
Our electoral process should not be entrusted to a group of people who are not seen to be objective, fair and impartial in their conduct of elections.
A number of issues have already been raised concerning the composition and operations of the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
There’s a feeling that the Electoral Commission is dominated by people who are in one way or another related or connected to Rupiah Banda.
Whatever their degree of objectivity, these commissioners will not be seen to be fair and impartial by the opposition and more so if things don’t go its way.
To guarantee peace, we need elections whose results are accepted by both the winners and the losers. We need an Electoral Commission that is seen to be independent, comprising representatives from all political parties, the main political bodies and impartial observers.
The campaign for next year’s elections should avoid tribalistic outlook or sectionalism and look for the common good of all people and enter into sincere dialogue with other opponents, even in cases of political divergence.
Violence must be avoided at all costs because the electoral campaign should not be confused with a battlefield where the aim is to destroy the other.
Real political victory lies in the ideals proposed, on the ethical values of candidates, on the respect for freedom of choice of all citizens, and not on any form of moral pressure or intimidation of political opponents or voters.
During elections, we, the people of Zambia have the right to choose those who represent us, and we must do our duty and citizens by choosing people who serve the country with justice towards all; people who consider themselves accountable to their electorates, who consider the public interest rather than their own and who will be faithful to their election promises; people who respect the rights of others, who do not use their position to amass wealth, unmindful of the many who have little or none; people of genuine integrity, moral courage in the cause of truth and justice.
We will need to use our vote wisely and bravely.
Our vote will always be a powerful weapon for unity, an instrument of justice and peace. On our voting, on the quality of it, the discernment behind it, depend the progress and peace of our country.
So it is very important that in casting our vote, we should never be swayed by personal profit, regional bias, but solely by consideration of which of the conflicting issues or candidates is better for our country. The interest of political parties should be kept subordinate to the public good.
Campaigns must be carried out in a peaceful and honest way, devoid of any violence and slander of other opponents. All citizens must be guided by the truth, integrity and justice.
It is necessary to remind all political parties, including the ruling MMD, that politics is for the good of the people and the country, and not for a political survival of any individual or party.
As we approach next year’s elections, we must express concern regarding the frequent instances of intolerance, intimidation and lust for power.
In the present atmosphere of fierce competition and character assassination, we remind the nation of the noble goals of political activity.
Politics aims at the promotion of the common good and the service of all the people. We read in the scriptures that “The Son of Man Himself came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). There is urgent need for understanding and dialogue.
Zambia needs patriotic leaders; people who place national interest before personal ambitions; leaders who accept public office as a trust and service to the people and not as a stepping-stone for enriching themselves.
Looking at next year’s elections in this way, one will not fail to see why the leadership of the Catholic Church, its bishops and priests are conscious of the crucial role each one of us should play in choosing the leaders who will create the Zambia we want to live in.
The church is offering its own intervention, as clearly stated, not to support or discredit any political party, but to bring the light of the gospel into our decisions and to allow God to “lead us besides still waters and restore our souls”.
As shepherds of the Catholic Church, they are offering some advice to the Zambian voters, to those who conduct and manage the elections and to political leaders.
They are merely trying to ensure that the electorate, the poor are not cheated, deceived, manipulated to vote for unscrupulous, greedy and selfish politicians.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, ELECTIONS, GEORGE LUNGU
Read more...
Free and fair elections are possible in Zambia, says Bishop Lungu
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Mwala Kalaluka in Lusaka
Sun 28 Feb. 2010, 04:30 CAT
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu last Friday said free and fair elections are possible in Zambia.
During his official closing address at the Caritas Chipata launch of the voter education programme at Pine View Guest House, Bishop Lungu said the Church was convinced that free and fair elections were possible.
"People admire us in Zambia for one thing, peace. A number of countries have had problems emanating from issues of elections, governance, development issues and so forth. But in Zambia, we have until now, enjoyed relative peace,” Bishop Lungu said. “And I believe it is important to sustain this peace.
And we the Bishops are convinced that if the issues that we have raised in the pastoral letters are not addressed adequately, it will be very difficult indeed to sustain that peace" Bishop Lungu said Zambians were looking for positive change.
"Our people are looking for change, and positive change for that matter. They would like to see development in their lives, they would like to participate constructively to development programmes that affect our families and their personal lives,” Bishop Lungu said.
“But then they have to see the connection between a vote and peace, the connection between the vote and development. If people come to us and say mutipatse chiyani what are you going to give us? Let’s interpret that as a message to all of us that we do need to see change.
It is part of this exercise of what we call voting. We go to polls but we still don't change at all. What is it that we are lacking in our system that will ensure that we are able to see development because of the fact that we lined up for voting."
Bishop Lungu said the launch of the voter education programme was the right step in the right direction.
"I think this in some way is capable of making a difference when it comes to ensure that we have raised issues, cut off insults, voter apathy and issues that have been raised in the pastoral letter, we can make a difference.
We can give a good example of what it is supposed to be when it comes to elections; our prayer is that we are all going to collaborate in this very important exercise in order for us to have positive results at the end of the day," Bishop Lungu said.
"We are all looking for development. We would like to enjoy peace and I am pretty sure we would like to see that Zambia becomes an example of what it means in terms of good governance."
Caritas Chipata director Father Richard Chiyanjano Phiri said in one of the important meetings that ZEC had last year, it was resolved that Caritas Zambia should in a "special way" participate in the 2011 tripartite elections.
"As this task was given to us, we as Caritas were privileged… In Malawi the Catholic Commission for Justice team participated in the Malawi's general elections of last year.
Going by the process there and lessons learnt, there is already a programme underway that Caritas Zambia is making and as Caritas Chipata we shall be participating in line with the mandate given to us by the Bishops of Zambia," Fr Phiri said.
He said Caritas Chipata’s plan was to have monitors at each polling station in Eastern Province.
Fr Phiri said the launch of the programme could not be said to have been done early going by the amount of work that Caritas has.
Later, Caritas governanance programmes officer Mthanziko Zulu read the bishops concerns on elections and other related matters raised in 2008.
And Mongu Diocese Bishop Paul Duffy has said the electorate in the country’s dioceses would be sensitised to vote for honesty leaders in 2011 and not people that were just interested in fattening their pockets.
Explaining the role that the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace (CCJDP) would play ahead of the 2011 elections, Bishop Duffy said the church’s faithful would not be told who to vote.
“We will not tell them who to vote for but the CCJDP in the 10 dioceses will sensitise them to vote for honest leaders and not people that are just interested in fattening their pockets,” Bishop Duffy said.
Bishop Duffy complained over the erratic power supply in Mongu town, which he said was affecting the people’s living situation.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, ELECTIONS, GEORGE LUNGU
Read more...
‘A rather confusing political situation’
By Editor
Thu 07 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
Some people wonder why Catholic bishops, priests and nuns are today so concerned about the subtleties of economic, political and social issues. They wonder what the bishops, priests and nuns expect to contribute to such issues and discussions about them and what bearing their religious themes could have on such clearly secular decisions.
This challenge is all too common these days in our country, especially as Catholic bishops, priests and nuns become more actively involved in addressing the political, economic, social and cultural crises our people face. They are able to participate meaningfully in these issues, and in some cases provide very valuable insights and leadership, because their church has offered them a body of social wisdom, based ultimately on biblical teachings and principles, that speak to the conditions of our people’s everyday life.
This social teaching of the Catholic Church that these bishops, priests and nuns are following and propagating contains not so much of a specific platform of political action but a dynamic framework for searching for relevant solutions. There is a very important theological foundation for this linking of secular elaborations of the issues that today affect the daily lives of our people and the texts of the Catholic Church’s social teaching. For them, the hopes and forces which are today moving the world in its very foundations are not foreign to the dynamism of the Gospel, which frees men and women from personal sin and from its consequences in social life.
And this line is not new. It can be traced back to the Second Vatican Council, The Church in the Modern World (1965): The joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties, of the women and men of this age, especially the poor and those in any way oppressed, these are the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties, of the followers of Jesus Christ.
Clearly, this means that human dignity flourishes within real community, and the vitality of community depends upon each and everyone’s personal development and commitment.
It is in this context that we should try and understand what Bishop George Lungu is saying. In the story we carry today, Bishop Lungu has expressed concern about the political atmosphere in our country today. He has observed that the political situation is rather confusing and that there hasn’t been movement on a number of important issues that the Church has pointed out to the authorities that needed to be addressed. He touched on the issue of regionalism and tribalism, observing that this issue has not been put to rest because people are still talking about it and feel it is still going on.
They raised this issue shortly after the 2008 presidential elections, raising concerns about what appeared to be regional or tribal voting. When they raised this issue, those in power, those who had won these elections did not take kindly to it. They accused them of all sorts of things. Instead of mulling over things and trying to understand what they were saying, they dismissed them and the issues they were raising. This was the easiest thing for them to do – denounce those speaking and the issues they are raising. Anyone can do that. What is difficult is to correct problems, rectify errors and change the course of things. But problems and issues don’t disappear by just simply dismissing those raising them. Problems have to be solved to disappear.
Bishop Lungu has also raised the issue of the government letting down the farming community. He has raised the old question of Farmer Input Support Programme, which previously they used to call the Fertiliser Support Programme. A lot of issues were raised in 2008 over this programme. It was an election year and those who were in control of government machinery used this programme to aid their campaign. They didn’t bother to listen much to the criticisms that were being raised about this programme. The problems of 2008 are still with us and they have probably gotten worse because instead of our people freeing themselves from the dependency on government for inputs, they have become more dependent. And while their dependence on government is increasing, the support from government is reducing. The bags of fertiliser that were given in 2008 have now been reduced. And as Bishop Lungu has correctly observed, this may also mean a reduction in acreage which will result in reduced food security in the country.
When criticism was being raised about all these issues, those who did so were called all sorts of names and were seen as destructive, as people bent on destructive criticism – and not constructive criticism. This is still happening today. There is no criticism that is voiced publicly that those in charge of government today seem to consider or take as constructive. Every critic, in their view, is against them; is an agent or supporter of the opposition. They are even forgetting that with or without the opposition, criticism will always be there. It was there under the one party state. But of course it was not tolerated and those who engaged in it were seen as foreign agents and at best as enemies within.
Criticism per se is non-existent. Anything else is destructive. Criticism is an expression of hate, not pure disagreement.
In due course, the phrases “constructive criticism” and “destructive criticism” are coined in order to place those who criticise them in some useful categories so that they can be easily dealt with. We must all belong to them, we must all support and defend them or be condemned to be destructive, disgruntled or dismissed as agents of the opposition or even foreign governments, the donors. The sponsors of this dialectic are not even ashamed to attribute enmity where it may not exist. They thrive on the explosive emotions which this dialectic is likely to generate among the unsuspecting idle youth of low literacy who they intoxicate and destroy with Chibuku and Tujilijili. In fact, no regard is ever had for the patriotism of people like Bishop Lungu and others who are pointing out things that have gone wrong and urging them to correct them, unless they happen to die.
Why do they behave in this way? We ask this question because even some good people we have known, when they get into government, they quickly change. We think this is so because those in our ruling party usually consider themselves as the government and government as the state. The ruling party, government and their leaders become as sacred as the state. Any denigration of these institutions and their leaders is tantamount to treason – or at least those who do so are threatened with treason charges.
And what do they hope to get out of such political practices? Tyrannical rulers and uncritical people is the only discernable result.
Probably we should also ask them what they mean by “constructive criticism” and “destructive criticism”. A keen look at the way they use these phrases invariably reveals that they get intensely paranoid when they hear criticism. They are so weakly constituted that they fear that if they are criticised, they will lose their manliness, their constituencies, public support and ultimately their hold on power. “Constructive criticism” means flattery, agreement and praise of all that they do – wrong or right, palatable or unpalatable.
They are incapable of being criticised without feeling rancoured about it. In fact, all the time the impression given is that to criticise is to condemn or curse in the biblical fashion. And to them, it doesn’t matter where the criticism comes from, the reaction is the same. If a ruling party member criticises them, questions the actions of the president, he will be treated in the same way as someone from outside the party criticising their leadership. They will not hesitate to flush them out of the party. Hence, whenever criticism is raised, their first instinct is to smear it with the filth of one being an agent of this or that, or of having been paid by this one or that one to voice that criticism – however greedy they themselves may be. Every crisis they face, however self-created, will eventually be blamed on other people – the critics and their alleged sponsors.
We don’t know how they would react to Nelson Mandela who says: “If criticism is valid, it must be made.”
If we have shortcomings, we should not be afraid to have them pointed out and criticised because this is the only sure way of us correcting them quickly so that they don’t become permanent disabilities. And those whose job is to serve the people, it doesn’t make sense not to allow the people they are serving or are supposed to serve criticise them. But in this country, it seems immediately one criticises those in power, he or she is removed from the category “people” and become something else without any citizen rights.
You are only part of the people if you support them and agree with everything they say or do. Anyone, no matter who, should be able to point out the shortcomings of those in public service, of those who occupy public office. If they are right, those in public office should correct the mistakes they are pointing out. If what they are saying or proposing will benefit the people, they should act upon it. Again criticism is good for people, especially those in public service, and for public institutions. It is hard for anyone or any political party to avoid mistakes, but they should make as few as possible. And once a mistake is made, they should correct it, and the more quickly and thoroughly, the better.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, ZEC
Read more...
Political atmosphere is confusing - Bishop Lungu
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 07 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference president Bishop George Lungu last Monday said the political atmosphere in the country is confusing.
And Bishop Lungu said the government had been a letdown to the farming community.
In an interview, Bishop Lungu said previously ZEC had raised a lot of issues in the Pastoral Letter but that there was no move towards finding solutions.
"In my opinion I feel the political situation, to say the least, is rather confusing. I say so because you know in the past, we in ZEC have mentioned a number of issues that are of great concern to us as a church and also the community in Zambia but apparently we don't seem to see movement towards either finding solutions or at least showing signs that something is happening in those areas,” Bishop Lungu said.
“You remember not long ago we had produced a pastoral statement that touched on issues of regionalism. We tried to kind of evaluate the outcome of the election and we saw very clearly that we voted according to regions, which again translates in others ways to tribalism, voting into office for somebody who comes from your area. It was an issue of concern but again we didn't see any effort to address that concern.
"And of late again we have been reading in the newspapers about tribalism, appointing people coming from the east because the President is from Eastern Province and so on. Then if that is true in the sense that all those posts people do not deserve those posts because they are just from Eastern Province, then we have also encountered a problem we are still dealing with an issue that hasn't been addressed. So I find that really something needs to be done about our situation,"
Bishop Lungu said it was bad that there were a lot of intra-party fights in Zambia.
And asked to comment on the government's sharp reaction towards criticism, Bishop Lungu said criticism was a health exercise.
"We often talk about constructive criticism so that people who receive the message do not get a negative picture of what you are trying to do. I should be able to know that you are criticising because you would like to see change, positive change for that matter," Bishop Lungu said.
He said it was unfortunate that some beneficiaries of the fertilizer support programme were still complaining about the manner in which it was handled.
"The marketing issue, people still know that the last marketing season was quite chaotic and many of them have expressed their anger in the manner in which it was handled and a number of things that happened during that marketing exercise," Bishop Lungu said.
He also expressed concern over the government's delay in completing the much talked about Chipata/Mchinji railway project. And featuring on a special Face the Media programme on Monday, Bishop Lungu charged that farmers have been let down by the government.
"I don't know what the government promised the people but you are the people who are going to judge the government. Have they managed to implement what they have promised to us?" Bishop Lungu said.
He urged the government to be careful in the manner it was treating farmers in Eastern Province if it were to get a vote from the area.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, ZEC
Read more...
Bishop Lungu asks Zambians not to take peace for granted
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 03 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference president Bishop George Lungu has appealed to Zambians not to take peace for granted. And Bishop George Lungu also read a letter from Pope Benedict the 16th based on the New Year theme of praying for peace.
Delivering a sermon at Mary Mother of Jesus sub parish in Chipata's Nabvutika area on Friday, Bishop Lungu said Zambians were blessed because they had never experienced what it meant to be a refugee.
"In the whole world today we are praying for peace. To be frank, us people from Zambia are blessed in a special way because we have never experienced what it means to be a refugee. We have never experienced what it means to be a refugee. We have just seen our colleagues coming from Mozambique and we kept them at Ukwimi refugee camp, others coming from Angola we kept them at Maheba refugee camp but us, we have never.
Our colleagues most of the times their luggage are already set because of wars and there is no development, There is not time for education there is no time to the hospital they just die on the roads and we Zambians are at home," Bishop Lungu said.
He said Zambians should thank God because they had time to do everything that they could in a peaceful environment.
"...of course it is a relative peace it’s not that because of this silence then we have the complete peace, no but at least we have peace. We should thank God for this. We see how refugees suffer; others the only property that they come with at the camp is only a chicken and this has not happened to a Zambian so don't take life for granted; don't take peace for granted no. God can remove the peace we are enjoying anytime if certain things are not in place, so we should thank God for the peace we are enjoying in this country," Bishop Lungu said.
And Bishop Lungu said the Pope, in his letter, urged people to protect creation.
"In the letter the Pope is saying God loved mankind before creation. He put in place everything that could help a person both spiritually and other things.
The problem which came is that this person is so selfish and he wants to be like God. Instead of protecting creation which is there to help him, he started destroying creation. The Pope is saying this is why there are a lot of accidents because the creation is bitter. These days we hear of Tsunami which can kill more than 250,000 people at a go," Bishop Lungu said.
He said many countries, including neighbouring Malawi, had experienced earthquakes. Bishop Lungu said what was happening now were signs that creation had risen against mankind. He said the Pope was recommending that those entrusted with making laws involving creation should come up with good and protective laws.
"I agree with the Pope because even here in Chipata, we cut trees anyhow for charcoal and other things but we don't plant trees. The other day you will hear that children have been swept away by water because hills are bare, they can't hold water anymore and this goes to show that there are no strong laws that protect creation," said Bishop Lungu.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, PEACE
Read more...
Politics is not a ‘dirty game’
By Editor
Thu 22 Oct. 2009, 04:00 CAT
Bishop George Lungu is very correct when he says politics should not be seen as a dirty game.
Yes, politics does sometimes become dirty. But as Bishop Lungu correctly observes, it is human beings who make politics to be seen as dirty. And if this is the case, then the same human beings can be made to clean it up, make it as clean as it should be.
This reminds us of what Dr Kenneth Kaunda told a gathering of whites during the struggle for independence. One of them wanted to know why a clean man like Dr Kaunda was involving himself in the dirty game of politics. In response, Dr Kaunda asked him why politics which deals with people’s lives, nations’ destinies, should be a dirty game.
The political dimension is a constitutive dimension of human beings and a relevant area of societal life. It has an all-embracing aspect because its aim is the common welfare of society. But that does not mean that it exhausts the gamut of social relationships.
Far from despising political activity, the Christian faith values it and holds it in high esteem. Speaking in general terms, and without distinguishing between the roles that may appear proper to its various members, the church feels it has a duty and a right to be present in this area of reality.
For Christianity is supposed to evangelise the whole of human life, including the political dimension. So the Church criticises those who would restrict the same scope of faith to personal or family life; who would exclude the professional, economic, social and political orders as if sin, love, prayer and pardon had no relevance in them.
The fact is that the need for the Church’s presence in the political arena flows from the very core of Christian faith. That is to say, it flows from the Lordship of Christ over the whole of life. Christ sets the seal on the definitive fellowship of humanity, wherein every human being is of equal worth: “All are one in Jesus Christ” (Gal 3:28).
These are some of the reasons the Church is present in the political arena to enlighten consciences and to proclaim a message that is capable of transforming society.
The Church recognises the proper autonomy of the temporal order. This holds true for governments, political parties, trade unions and other groups in the social and political arena. The purpose that the Lord assigned to His Church is a religious one; so when it does intervene in the socio-political arena, it is not prompted by any aim of a political, economic nor social nature. But out of this religious mission itself come a function, a light, and an energy which can serve to structure and consolidate the human community according to the divine law.
In so far as the political arena is concerned, the Church is particularly interested in distinguishing between the specific functions of the laity, religious, and those who minister the unity of the Church – that is, the bishop and his priests.
We must distinguish between two notions of politics and political involvement. First, in the broad sense politics seeks the common good on both the national and international plane. Its task is to spell out the fundamental values of every community, reconciling equality with freedom, public authority with legitimate autonomy, and participation of individual persons and groups, and national sovereignty with international coexistence and solidarity. It also defines the ethics and means of social relationships.
In this broad sense, politics is of interest to the Church, and hence to its pastor, who are ministers of unity. It is a way of paying worship to the one and only God by simultaneously desacralising and consecrating the world to God.
So the Church helps to foster the values that should inspire politics. In every nation, it interprets the aspiration of the people, especially the yearnings of those that society tends to marginalise. And it does this with its testimony, its teachings and its varied forms of pastoral activity.
Second, the concrete performance of this fundamental political task is normally carried out by groups of citizens. They resolve to pursue and exercise political power in order to solve economic, political and social problems in accordance with their own criteria or outlook. Here, then, we can talk about “party politics”. Now even though the outlooks elaborated by such groups may be inspired by Christian doctrine, they can come to differing conclusions.
No matter how deeply inspired by church teaching, no political party can claim the right to represent all the faithful because its concrete programme can never have absolute value for all.
Party politics is properly the realm of lay persons. Their lay status entitles them to establish and organise political parties, using an outlook and strategy that is suited to achieving their legitimate aims.
In the social teaching of the Church, lay people find the proper criteria deriving from the Christian view of the human being. For its part, the hierarchy will demonstrate its solidarity by contributing to their adequate formation and their spiritual life, and also by nurturing their creativity so that they can explore options that are increasingly in line with the common good and the need of the weakest.
Christ’s gospel would not have had such an impact on history if He had not proclaimed it as a religious message: “The Gospels show clearly, that for Jesus, anything that would alter His mission as the servant of Yahweh was a temptation (Matt 4:8; Luke 4:5). He does not accept the position of those who mixed the things of God with merely political attitudes (Matt 22:21; Mark 12:17; John 18:36).”
It is therefore a great mistake for Christians to shun their political responsibility. Every Christian is called upon to play his or her part in the governance of our country. And they should play their roles conscientiously, that is, those with leadership gifts should present themselves and be ready to contest and serve the people in accepting office as a trust and service to the people and not as a stepping-stone for enriching themselves.
If a person has received the necessary talent by the favour of God, that person would fail in one’s duty for selfish motives if the person refused to take one’s share in public life and affairs. Any person who is qualified to become a leader is guilty if he or she refuses the task. The apathy of potential political leaders can bring anarchy to the country, by leaving all the responsibility to inefficient and unworthy people.
We have rights and duties as citizens and the love of our country urges us to act accordingly in all justice and charity. Christians have both the right and duty to participate fully in building a just and peaceful society with all the means at their disposal. The laity should infuse a Christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws and structures of the community in which they live.
The laity brings many gifts to building a society of justice, peace and development. The presence of the laity in the social life is characterised by service, the sign and expression of love.
Christians should be carefully prepared for political, economic and social tasks through a solid formation in the Church’s social doctrine.
The participation of Christians in political life should be guided by gospel values of respect for human dignity, human rights, common good, social justice, solidarity, integral development, special concern for the poor and non-violence in resolving conflicts.
Clearly, politics need people with credibility. Their presence in the political arena can bring gospel values to the political process. Individual citizens are obliged to make their specific contributions to the common good and Christians can make a difference if they get fully involved in national affairs.
The laity’s mission is in the world as well as in the Church. The direct duty to work for a just society is proper to the lay faithful.
An authority is needed to guide the energies of all towards the common good. And political leadership is the means by which people co-operate together in order to achieve the common good. As such, Christians must be conscious of their specific and proper role in the political community. Politics is an area of great importance for promoting justice, peace, development and community among all. And Christians should regard politics as a vocation, a way of building up society for the common good and not look at it as a dirty game.
Politics is not a dirty game but is a genuine way of being at the service of others for the integral development of the country.
Labels: GEORGE LUNGU, GOVERNANCE, POLITICS
Read more...
Resign, Bishop Lungu challenges ineffective MPs
Written by Christopher Miti in Chipata
Saturday, January 03, 2009 7:25:06 AM
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference president Bishop George Lungu has advised Zambians not to complain about the current economic problems but find a lasting solution for the benefit of the country.
And Bishop Lungu has challenged members of parliament that are not able to work for their constituencies in Eastern Province to resign.
In an interview to review 2008, Bishop Lungu said Zambians should look for solutions to respond to the current global economic crisis whose impact is now being felt on the local economy.
"Psychologically, it's not good for our nation, for our families. Let us receive this as a challenge and a challenge always demands a response, what is it that we have to do in order to respond to this challenge of global crisis? We have the land and other natural resources, what do we do about this? So I think we should be people of hope that in spite of what we read, what we hear, the Lord is with us; He is Emmanuel; He is being born amongst us; believe that He is giving us hope.
There is a possibility of change,” Bishop Lungu said. “He associates himself with the rich and the poor that means also that with him, we are going to succeed, so it’s not a time about just crying about the situation, about this and that no, just seek solutions together as a nation, as a Church, as an individual…let us seek solutions to respond to this global crisis, people say necessity is the mother of innovation so let’s be creative, let’s be innovative.”
And commenting on concerns raised by traditional leaders who attended the Eastern Province Royal Foundation conference last Tuesday that some MPs do not visit their constituencies, Bishop Lungu said parliamentarians that felt they were not able to man their constituencies effectively should resign.
"Voter apathy comes about when you have this situation where people have voted you into office but after that, the MPs have nothing to with their constituencies, they do not have time to go there," Bishop Lungu said.
"I think if they feel they are not able to do things, well why can’t they resign? It's not fair and if people feel that they have been left in the cold after voting someone into office whom they thought was going to help them, I think this was a popular cry and the chiefs were honest about the situation and Caritas also supported the chiefs’ observation and said this is what they find when they visit various constituencies.”
Bishop George Lungu also said the job losses in the mines were a threat to the nation and its people.
He said Zambians should change their mindset in order to promote development in various areas.
"We know that in the past, roads between villages were not maintained and constructed by the central government. The villagers, the headmen and the chiefs organised certain services that people are able to do so they did those things, but these days you wait until the central government sends a grader into your village otherwise we end up going through the bush, other people say no this road is not repaired because the government does not care, so I think this is an exaggeration of the situation the same things that we were able to do without outside help,” Bishop Lungu said.
“People have shown that they are able to do certain things without the help from outside and this can change the situation and if the mindset is changed that indeed there are certain things that we can do for ourselves which can change the situation and if we have the ability to do it, we need to go ahead and do it.”
Labels: ECONOMY, GEORGE LUNGU, GREAT DEPRESSION II
Read more...
Cabinet pay rise a good test case for Zambians - Bishop Lungu
By Christopher Miti and Patson Chilemba
Friday August 08, 2008 [04:00]
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu has said the approval of Cabinet's salary and allowance increments for constitutional office holders is a good test case for Zambians. And opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema yesterday dispelled claims by the government that the proposed salary and allowance increments will be debated and determined by Parliament. Bishop Lungu, in an interview, said it was the responsibility of the electorate to do something over what their representatives were doing.
"It is time that our people have to deal with these issues themselves. This is a good test case to see how it will be handled by Zambians if the electorate feel that they have been let down. Let us see what will be a way forward. The representatives were chosen for the purpose and that is to serve the welfare of the people.
If the people come to realise that this is what their leaders, those that were elected by the people, are doing and come to awareness that they are not representing them, then it's their responsibility to do something about it. And this does not just mean that the Bishop is the one who is supposed to say this or that, or figures who are prominent in the political or religious field are the ones to do it. No, they can assist but the main responsibility is in the hands of the electorate," Bishop Lungu said.
He said it was entirely up to Zambians to chat the way forward if they were not satisfied with what their representatives were doing. Bishop Lungu said there should be a way of engaging the people that were elected into office.
"In the Catholic Church we have a social arm, justice and peace, that is supposed to help us engage the politicians. We need to come to an understanding of what is happening there. So it is indeed the electorate that are supposed to act and they are people who are better placed to help organise so that there can be a voice that can be heard," he said.
Bishop Lungu said the people that were elected into power needed to listen to the voices of the electorate.
"If the elected ignore what people are saying the electorate have power to remove them from office because they are not representing their concerns. It is helpful for people to comment on the issue but it's not an organised voice where people are going to express what they feel as an electorate.
So I do hope that for us as the Catholic Church, there are people concerned about development issues and they will really go to the nitty gritty of what it is all about and come up with a way forward. If it means that we have to know what these increments are all about, then let us know," he said.
Bishop Lungu reminded the elected that the electorate were their employers who had a right to determine their dues.
And addressing the press at the UPND secretariat, Hichilema said Cabinet would be deceiving the people by defying the rules of logic and proceeding with impunity to take the salary proposals to Parliament for ratification. He said the bill on the proposed salary increments would pass without debate.
"We are aware that many benefits the ministers get are never taken to Parliament or made public. These include allowances for telephone, electricity, water and fuel. In 2006, the ministers sold themselves their personal-to-holder vehicles at book value without taking the matter to Parliament," Hichilema said. "Government's announcement that new salaries and conditions of service will be debated and determined by Parliament is not true. Under the current parliamentary procedure, MPs are not allowed to debate on matters affecting them or their conditions of service."
Hichilema said Cabinet was on a mission to try and show that the hefty allowances had been ratified by Parliament.
"UPND MPs have no opportunity to debate because that will be against parliamentary procedure," he said.
Hichilema said UPND had received the proposed allowance increments with a deep sense of shock and dismay.
"In our view, increasing the salary of a lowly-paid teacher or nurse by 15 per cent does not justify increasing a salary of an already better paid minister by the same 15 per cent let alone introducing the frivolous responsibility allowance," Hichilema said. "This is a clear failure to understand the principle of fairness and equity and how a country should redistribute income among its citizens."
Hichilema said it was saddening that while Cabinet continued to drag its feet on many important issues under the pretext that there was no money, they had found it convenient to approve hefty allowances.
"The cost of fertiliser now stands at between K210,000 and K230,000 per 50 kilogramme bag yet this government in its own wisdom has decided to reduce the funding and number of beneficiaries under the Fertiliser Support Programme in order to make savings directed at their own pockets and stomachs. What level of political deception and personal aggrandisement is this," he asked.
Hichilema explained that the current fuel allowance for for ministers' personal-to-holder vehicles is pegged at 600 litres per month.
"At the current ruling pump price this translates to K4,800,000. This is given as cash and the allowance is proposed to go up.
In addition, every minister has a utility vehicle with fuel, driver and other maintenance costs borne by the government/taxpayers," he said.
Hichilema said the gratuity payable to ministers and others eligible currently stood at K600 million per person and that the figure was expected to increase to K2 billion in view of the proposed increments.
On the proposed responsibility allowance, Hichilema said people should not be paid responsibility allowance for performing their normal duties.
Labels: CABINET, CORRUPTION, GEORGE LUNGU, NCC
Read more...
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
Read more...
