AN OPEN APPEAL TO HIS EXCELLENCY, ARCHBISHOP GIAN LUCA PERICIAPOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO ZAMBIA LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
REF: THE SOUL OF THE CHURCH IS AT STAKE: PARTISAN POLITICS MUST NOT DIVIDE THE CATHOLIC FLOCK
Your Excellency,
I. The Perilous Crossroads of Unity.
The Catholic Church in Zambia stands at a critical and dangerous crossroads. We are facing a profound internal crisis that threatens to shatter our most sacred and foundational asset, our unity. For decades, the Church has served as the moral compass of this nation. It has historically been a prophetic voice, standing resolutely above the political fray to defend the poor, advocate for justice, and unite Zambians across deep political divides.
Today, that noble legacy is being severely compromised from within.
A growing, dangerous chasm is opening between the partisan actions of certain members of the hierarchy and the deeply distressed lay faithful. The laity now watch in horror as their spiritual home is actively dragged into secular political warfare.
II. The Weaponization of the Pulpit.
This current trajectory threatens to split the Catholic Church in Zambia right down the middle. When the pulpit is weaponized for partisan agendas, the Church completely loses its moral authority to act as a neutral arbiter and national peacemaker.
Secular politics is inherently divisive and driven by the pursuit of power. The Church, conversely, is commanded to be a sanctuary of divine unity and salvation. By taking overt political sides, certain leaders are actively alienating their flock, breeding deep distrust in the pews, and transforming holy ground into a political battlefield.
III. Naming the Shepherds of Distress.
To address this spiritual crisis, we must candidly and publicly name the shepherds whose partisan positioning has sparked this profound distress among the faithful: Archbishop Alick Banda, Archbishop Ignatius Chama, Bishop Edwin Mwansa Mulandu (Bishop of Mpika) and Very Reverend Father Rodgers Fikwamo (Senior Zambian diocesan priest serving as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kasama, Dean of the Cathedral, and Priest-in-Charge of Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral Parish in Kasama). The confrontational stances and clear political undertones originating from these specific offices have left countless Catholics feeling politically homeless within their own parishes.
Let it be known clearly, the vast majority of Catholics in Zambia are completely uninterested in seeing their Bishops join active politics. Furthermore, this alienation is not confined to the laity alone. Across the country, many local priests are quietly but deeply against the current direction. They feel their pastoral vows are being deeply compromised by the highly politicized directives of their superiors.
IV. A Remnant of Hope and Pastoral Fidelity.
Yet, all hope is not lost. In this dark hour, the faithful look to a courageous group of shepherds who continue to defend the true, uncorrupted mission of Jesus Christ. We call upon these leaders to rise, speak out, and save the face of the Catholic Church in Zambia: Archbishop Benjamin Severiano Phiri, Bishop George Zumaile Lungu, Bishop Clement Mulenga, Bishop Evans Chinyemba (Bishop of Mongu) We highly commend the principled position of Bishop George Zumaile Lungu and others who have fiercely defended fairness, neutrality and absolute truth within their respective dioceses. They serve as a powerful, living reminder of what the Church should always be, a place of refuge for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
As the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kasama and elected President of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Archbishop Chama’s role requires him to build consensus across all eleven dioceses in Zambia. Archbishop Banda, governing the politically charged Archdiocese of Lusaka, is structurally positioned at the epicenter of state church interactions. Even if Church governance records show no evidence that Archbishop Chama defers to or fears Archbishop Banda. Archbishop Chama knows very well that in the Catholic hierarchy, both are Metropolitan Archbishops with equal canonical authority within their respective ecclesiastical provinces. Archbishop Chama holds the higher administrative mandate over the national conference, we challenge him to protect the Universal Church in Zambia.
V. Conclusion and Call to Action.
The soul and unity of the Zambian Catholic Church are far too precious to be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. It is time for the voice of fairness and truth to prevail across all dioceses before the damage to our national faith becomes entirely irreversible.
The faithful have kept quiet for a very long time. This silence was not due to a lack of something to say, but rather because of the deep discipline that characterizes the Catholic laity. However, it has now become terrifyingly apparent that this quiet voice must finally be heard to save our Church.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
John M Baptiser Mulenga.
On behalf of the Distressed Lay Faithful.
Cc: Archbishop Ignatius Chama President of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Archbishop of Kasama Archdioce.