ACI Africa, Mar 25, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).
Church leaders in Zambia have denounced what they have termed “unpalatable remarks” against faith leaders who have reportedly criticized the Zambian government for various misdeeds, including unfair distribution of resources and poor infrastructure.
In a March 19 statement, the church leaders, including representatives of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), emphasized the churches’ role as a voice for the voiceless.
CCZ general secretary Rev. Emmanuel Chikoya; EFZ executive secretary Bishop Andrew Mwenda; and ZCCB secretary-general Father Francis Mukosa signed the statement.
“We observe that church leaders, in the course of fulfilling their role of providing checks and balances, have been subjected to unpalatable remarks with no consequences,” they lamented.
“We strongly object to the demeaning language used against church leaders. We believe that it is essential to uphold the dignity of all people, regardless of their role in society,” they said. “This incident exemplifies the ongoing tensions between political figures and religious leaders, especially when the church fulfills its responsibility to provide checks and balances.”
Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri of Zambia’s Chipata Diocese has reportedly been at the center of tensions with the country’s United Party for National Development government for being vocal about gaps in governance.
Phiri has criticized President Hakainde Hichilema’s government of failing to realize promises — particularly regarding the rehabilitation of roads in Eastern Province, one of Zambia’s 10 provinces.
Phiri highlighted the dire state of roads leading to areas such as Vubwi, Chadiza, and Lundazi, adding that residents were compelled to use routes through Malawi, incurring additional border fees.
In his criticism, the bishop expressed concern about delays in fertilizer distribution, noting that agriculture is the primary livelihood in the region and that such a setback adversely affects farmers’ welfare.
Reacting to the criticisms, chief government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa threatened Phiri.
In his March 4 press release, Mweetwa said the Zambian government was going to isolate him and deal with him in person for challenging the government.
The president of the Association of Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy, Father Augustine Mwewa, is said to have defended Phiri, asserting that Phiri’s homilies represent the broader Catholic Church and the Holy Father, not just personal opinion.
Mwewa cautioned the Zambian government against isolating and targeting the bishop for speaking truth to power.
In their March 19 statement, the Church leaders in Zambia said: “We have a duty to speak to the moral conscience of the nation, a task that we are committed to do informed by our Scriptures and not coercion by any other forces.”
They added: “The three church mother bodies have consistently and actively spoken on matters of public and national interest. We do not rush to comment on issues, as we strive to ensure that our messages are informed, thoughtful, and balanced.”
In their statement, the leaders reaffirmed their responsibility to their respective congregants.
“The various churches and parishes continue to actively provide ongoing pastoral care, counseling, and sermons that speak directly or indirectly to issues promoting Christian values and principles in our society,” they said.
The leaders of all three bodies — the ZCCB, CCZ, and EF — also weighed in on a couple of other issues, including what they describe as “the rushed and hasty constitutional amendment process” and “the ever-increasing cost of living for Zambians.”
“Our repeated calls for constitutional amendments have largely gone unanswered. Why is the government drafting documents in isolation without public consultation?” they asked in their statement.
The church leaders denounced the ”growing culture of miscommunication” in the country as well as the “emergence of cadre militancy with the wearing of military regalia and the blatant disregard for traffic rules.” They also called out “the lack of urgency and attention given to calls for national dialogue, reconciliation, and national unity.”
In the statement, the church leaders reaffirmed their stance of autonomy, resisting any form of coercion.
“We reserve the right to speak or remain silent as we see fit, and we will not be dictated to by any political party or individual. We will not be coerced into speaking at your pace or on your timeline,” they said.
Zambia’s church leaders urged the government to “address the underlying causes of poverty, such as the need for sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective energy, as well as comprehensive poverty alleviation strategies.”
This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapated by CNA.
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