Corruption is an evil - Mazombwe
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 19 Jan. 2012, 13:57 CAT
CORRUPTION is an evil that we have to fight, says Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe. Speaking when MMD Lunte member of parliament Felix Mutati paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Tuesday, Cardinal Mazombwe said corruption was an evil because it had denied majority and needy citizens of the country from benefiting from their national resources because those that were at the core of administering them were corrupt.
"I do not have to talk about it, everybody feels that corruption is a crime and evil that we have to fight. We who are on the spot out there as administrators of state property must be transparent. What is necessary is to administer the little resources that we have so that everybody can benefit from these resources," he said.
Cardinal Mazombwe said people who had love, a sense of protecting and helping others cannot steal public resources.
He said the idea of the total fight against corruption was welcome and that justice must guide the new government's endeavor to bring corrupt elements to book.
"You cannot administer justice with an injustice. The way I look at…the fight against corruption is welcome, but all of us who are involved in the fight against corruption must be transparent. We must be people who are fair, capable of seeing things, capable of observing and passing a judgment against things that are promoting corruption," Cardinal Mazombwe said.
He called on leaders to have a sense of love in administering national duties.
Cardinal Mazombwe also hailed the PF government for its decision to establish new districts, saying this will enhance the fight against corruption and service delivery.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, CORRUPTION, MERDADO JOSEPH MAZOMBWE
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Heed Mazombwe’s advice, vote for capable leaders
By The Post
Thu 10 Feb. 2011, 04:00 CAT
It is important to always bear in mind that the people are not struggling for ideas, for things in one’s head. They are struggling to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children.
And for this reason, we agree with Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe when he says that “as we go for elections this year, let us look at those people who are capable of delivering materials that are going to help us develop…to some significant degree, some are capable of delivering, some are not.
But we don’t only need people who are capable, but people that have a heart for humanity because God created us to have life and to have it in abundance and anybody who destroys lives has got no share in our development”.
To realise the development Cardinal Mazombwe is talking about, we must vote wisely in this year’s elections and only for people who are known for their honesty, integrity, ability, dedication and concern for the welfare of all.
Crooks, selfish people and corrupt elements cannot bring development to our people. We must vote for politicians who base their politics on morality.
Let us try in a new time and in a new way to return to morality and remove crookedness, selfishness and corruption from our politics.
Let us teach ourselves and others that politics should be an expression of a desire to contribute to the material wellbeing and happiness of the community rather than of a need to cheat or rape the community.
Let us teach ourselves and others that politics can be, not only the art of the possible, especially if this means the art of calculation, intrigue, secret deals and pragmatic manoeuvering, but that it can be the art of the impossible – the art of improving ourselves and the world we live in.
We had an opportunity to develop our country and our people in a very big way under Frederick Chiluba.
We had the sympathy of the world with us. International aid flowed into our country and our debts were written off.
But the possibilities of development opened by all these were squandered by selfishness, greed, vanity and corruption of the Chiluba regime – corruption that has today become deep-rooted in our country.
And when we talk about deep-rooted corruption, we are not only talking about Chiluba’s corruption and that which has today consumed Rupiah Banda and his regime. We are talking about all of us.
We have all become used to this corrupt system and seem to have accepted it as an unchangeable fact and thus help to perpetuate it. In other words, we are all – though naturally to differing extents – responsible for this corruption that is today robbing our people of opportunities to develop; none of us is just its victim: we are all its co-creators.
Why do we say this?
It would be very unreasonable to understand the sad legacy of the last almost 20 years as something alien, which some distant relative bequeathed us. On the contrary, we have to accept this legacy of corruption as a sin we have committed against ourselves.
If we accept it as such, we will understand that it is up to us all, and up to us only, to do something about it.
We cannot blame Chiluba and even Rupiah for everything, not only because it would be untrue but also because it could blunt the duty that each of us faces today, that is, the obligation to act independently, freely, reasonably and quickly.
And as we have stated before, let us not be mistaken: the best government in the world, the best parliament and the best president, cannot achieve much on their own.
And it would also be wrong to expect a general remedy from them only. Freedom and democracy include participation and therefore responsibility from us all.
If we realise this, then all the horrors of the corruption of the Chiluba and Rupiah regimes will cease to appear so terrible.
If we realise this, hope will return to our hearts. The positive results of the fight against corruption that was waged under Levy Mwanawasa have been reversed by Rupiah in his efforts to save his friend Chiluba from going to jail and losing his loot.
For Rupiah, all is about retaining power, being re-elected.
Let us not allow the sympathies of the world under Levy be lost through our becoming entangled in the jungle of corruption and skirmishes for power.
Let us not allow the desire to serve oneself to bloom once again under the fair mask of the desire to serve the common good.
It is not really important now which political party or individual will prevail in this year’s elections.
The most important thing is that the winners or winner will be the best of us, in the moral, civic and political sense, regardless of their political affiliations.
The future policies and prestige of our state will depend on the personalities we elect.
We want a president who will speak less and work more.
We want a president who will not only look out of the windows of his airplane but who, first and foremost, will always be present among his fellow citizens and listen to them well.
Let us dream of a republic independent, free and democratic, of a republic economically prosperous and yet socially just, in short, of a humane republic which serves the individual and which therefore holds the hope that the individual will serve it in turn.
Let’s dream of a republic of well-rounded people, because without such, it is impossible to solve any of our problems, human, economic, social or political.
Let us dream of a republic where the leaders say what they think and what they mean and not something different.
The corruption of the last two decades has dehumanised us to a point where we do not seem to believe in anything, we have learned to ignore each other and to care only about ourselves.
Concepts such as love, friendship, compassion, humility or forgiveness seem to have lost their depth and dimensions among us. Our country is not flourishing as Rupiah and his minions would like us believe.
The enormous creative and spiritual potential of our nation is not being used sensibly.
This is not a recipe for development.
We can only remedy the situation by voting in this year’s elections according to the advice of Cardinal Mazombwe when he says: “The responsibility is with us to know who up until now has shown that he or she is capable of delivering development for this country from what he or she says, from the kind of person they are and how they are living so.
From that we are going to be able to decide and say there is reasonable hope that this person can deliver.
We want each one of us to fulfil the responsibility to participate to whatever level.” Good elections require intelligent and responsible participation of all voters.
Our vote is a powerful weapon for development, unity, an instrument of liberty, justice and peace.
On our voting, on the quality of it, the discernment behind it, depend the progress and peace of our country.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MERDADO JOSEPH MAZOMBWE
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Vote for leaders who can deliver - Mazombwe
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 10 Feb. 2011, 04:02 CAT
VOTE for leaders who are capable of delivering meaningful development, says Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe. Cardinal Mazombwe said in an interview that Zambians should not only choose leaders that will merely govern but those that can deliver significant development to them.
“As we go for elections this year, let us look at those people who are capable of delivering materials that are going to help us develop to some significant degree. We don’t only need people who are capable but people that have a heart for humanity because God created us to have life and to have it in abundance and anybody who destroys lives has got no share in our development,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.
He said Zambians had the responsibility to ensure that leaders who will transform the nation were elected, hence the need for them to participate in the electoral process.
“The responsibility is with us to know who up until now has shown that he or she is capable of delivering development for this country from what he or she says, from the kind of person they are and and from that we are going to decide. We want each one of us to participate at whatever level,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.
He said peace and unity was what should bind Zambians prior to and during elections.
Cardinal Mazombwe said the country needed peace and unity for all citizens to fully enjoy the benefits of the country’s abundant resources.
“Each one of us has a minimum of goodness so we don’t have to dehumanize each other .We must have respect for human life and human beings. When God created us he said it was good. So there must be goodness in us,” he said.
Mazombwe called on the government to exercise its will and promote the wishes and recommendations of the people in the Constitution.
He said Zambians had been clear during the Mung’omba Constitution Review
Commission about the kind of constitution they wanted to have.
“A process has been going on, what is now needed is goodwill to assemble what we have said and put in place a constitution to say as Zambians that at this particular time in the history of our country we are going to move forward,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.
And Cardinal Mazombwe has called on the media to uphold high standards of ethics and professionalism in their coverage in the interest of unity in the country.
“God has given you (journalists) a gift of compiling and disseminating news, this should be news that will drive us to unite, news that promotes communication. Etymology of the word communication means to make people act.
So if you carry something divisive you will make us rise,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.
And officiating at the launch of the contraction of Daughter of Mary Immaculate (DMI) St Eugene University in Katuba on Monday, Cardinal Mazombwe said educational, technological and skills training are vital for the development of the nation.
“A university is the highest level of learning and that’s the reason why there is a university in the world and why a university is so important. It is for human development,” Cardinal Mazombwe said.
He thanked the daughters of Mary Immaculate, the founders of DMI St Eugene University, for establishing the university in Zambia.
Cardinal Mazombwe said the university was not only going to enhance high levels of education among people in the surrounding areas but also improve development in the country.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MERDADO JOSEPH MAZOMBWE
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Mazombwe calls for peaceful 2011 polls
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 26 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT
CARDINAL Merdado Mazombwe yesterday called for peace and unity ahead of next year’s elections. And there was pomp and splendor at Lusaka International Airport as Catholics sang and praised God and Pope Benedict XVI for anointing Mazombwe, the first Zambian Cardinal.
Speaking to journalists on arrival from Italy where Pope Benedict conferred the Cardinalate and a red hat on him and 23 other bishops during a public consistory at St Peter ‘s Square in Rome last Saturday, Cardinal Mazombwe said Zambians would elect a person who would take the country forward.
“God must guide us; we pray that at the time of elections we remain peaceful people and people who have the interest of this country at heart; we want the country to develop and its inhabitants to be united,” he said.
“We thank his Excellency President Rupiah Banda and all members of Cabinet, parliamentary members and people who are working together in order that this country should continue to experience unity and peace.”
Cardinal Mazombwe thanked Pope Benedict for recognising the growth of the Catholic Church in Zambia through his appointment.
“We are sharing the experience of very special nature. With the presence of the Nuncio here, I feel the Holy Father is with us. He has honoured us,” he said.
Cardinal Mazombwe said Cardinals were like the hinge on which the door of the church turned and he thanked God that Zambia had been invited to preach the gospel beyond borders.
Cardinal Mazombwe said the Catholic Church should grow to reach a certain level of maturity in development.
He said he would not advocate an African Pope because God guided the church and when the time came to pick a pope, whoever God would anoint would be supported to be head of the Catholic Church. Among the people who welcomed Cardinal Mazombwe were Dr Kenneth Kaunda, who was in transit, Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli, FDD president Edith Nawakwi, Lusaka archdiocese Arch-bishop Telesphore Mpundu, works and supply deputy minister Lameck Mangani, Ministry of Community Development permanent secretary Sherry Thole, Zambia Episcopal Confer-ence spokesperson Fr Paul Samasumo and Catholic Church leaders.
After hugging Cardinal Mazombwe, Dr Kaunda asked him to continue praying and guiding the country.
ZEC president Bishop George Lungu and Kasama Diocese former archbishop James Spaita among several other Catholics accompanied Cardinal Mazombwe to Italy.
Nawakwi said Mazom-bwe’s appointment was a blessing to Zambia.
Miriam Mumba, a Catholic from Pope Square, who was in Cardinal Mazombwe’s entourage to Italy, said she felt good that Pope Benedict recognised Zambia.
Bishop Lungu said: “It was a moving session when we saw our Cardinal approaching the altar to receive the red biretta; there was ululation in the basilica and the Zambian flag was flying; it was an emotional time. It was wonderful to be there.”
Lusaka’s Chainda Cath-olic Church member Thelma Kangwa said: “I am very happy that our former bishop was appointed Cardinal.”
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MERDADO JOSEPH MAZOMBWE
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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
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