PROPHET IAN GENESIS WRITES
Archbishop Banda and the Catholic Church!
When former President Edgar Lungu died, the Catholic Church and the Archbishop had an opportunity to play the role of mediator,to sit with the Lungu family and government, seek common ground, and help bring the former President’s remains home in unity. Instead, the situation became deeply divided and ultimately went to court.
During the 2026 election, Archbishop Alick Banda was also publicly associated with the opposition, including Brian Mundubile. Mundubile ultimately received 1,856,217 votes, while the ECZ declared President Hakainde Hichilema the winner with 2,965,326 votes.
This raises a legitimate question: When the Church takes a clear political side, can it still effectively present itself as an independent and unifying institution?
Even after the election, the Church had an opportunity to speak strongly to both government and opposition and call for reconciliation. Instead, the relationship between the Archbishop and the government remained politically charged.
Now that Archbishop Banda has been arrested over allegations concerning a Toyota Hilux, we should allow the legal process to establish the facts. But we should also be honest enough to examine the choices that brought us here.
What has happened to the Archbishop is unfortunate. But perhaps this is also a lesson for the Church: when you choose to enter the political arena, you must understand that your decisions can affect how your actions are perceived when political circumstances change.
The Church should be a voice that can speak to government, opposition and everyone in between and not a political camp. Someone has to say the truth.
I still don’t understand what the hullabaloo is regarding this issue. A motor vehicle was found with him which he did not pay for. He must simply say how it come into his possession. If it’s a gift say so and mention who gifted it to you and the circumstances under which it happened. I am just wondering, had this been a case of adultery, would the flock have provided the same support. PF is still alive.