ACTIONAID BACKS DECISION TO HOLD CANDLELIGHT PRAYER SERVICE
By Elesani Phiri
ActionAid Zambia has backed the Catholic Church’s decision to hold a candlelight prayer service for peace today, August 12, ahead of tomorrow’s general election.
ActionAid Zambia Country Director Faides Tembatemba says the service should be viewed as a religious and moral responsibility, rather than being viewed from a political perspective.
Ms. Tembatemba says the Catholic Church hurch has consistently organised similar prayer services during periods of national challenges, and believes the election period should be no different.
She has urged government and political parties to support the initiative and join the church in praying for peace and unity ahead of the polls.
The development follows concerns raised by UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda, who called on the church to cancel the service, arguing that the presence of certain political symbols and perceived overtones could make the event appear political
However, the Catholic Church has maintained that the service will go ahead as planned.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi says the Zambia Police Service has not received formal notification of the planned service.
Mr. Chilabi says police are yet to receive full details of the event and the concerns surrounding it, but has assured the public that the police will communicate once all relevant information has been obtained.
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