IS IT UPND POLICY TO DISCREDIT CATHOLIC BISHOPS FROM EASTERN PROVINCE?
There are three emerging patterns to the UPND’s continuing attacks and insults on the leadership of the Catholic Church.
The first noticeable pattern is that the Catholic bishops on the receiving end of the attacks and insults are from the Eastern Province. The first victim was the Archbishop of Lusaka, Most Rev. Dr Alick Banda who, for the crime of voicing out governance concerns and defending a priest in his diocese from government attacks, was branded the “Lucifer of Zambia” by the ruling party’s Secretary General, Mr Batuke Imenda. The latest victim is the Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Msipu Phiri, who, for demanding better service delivery, has received attacks from the Chief government spokesperson, who is also Minister of Information and Media, Mr Cornelius Mweetwa.
The second noticeable pattern is that the UPND, when attacking these servants of God from the Eastern Province, always attempt to isolate them from the Catholic Church and malign them as individuals. This is what Mr Imenda did with Archbishop Banda and what Mr Mweetwa has just done with Bishop Phiri. Since the Catholic Church is more hierarchical than the army, the objective of this scheme appears to be that of isolating the bishops from the Catholic Church to get the superiors of the bishops such as the Apostolic Nuncio and the Holy See to ask the bishops to shut up or replace them with those deemed acceptable by the UPND.
The third pattern is the consistent refusal by the government to apologise to the insulted bishops from Eastern Province, even when they are called to do so. When police invaded the office of the Catholic Bishop of Kabwe, Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga, Mr Hakainde Hichilema apologised to the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), not just Bishop Mulenga, after the ZCCB protested about the conduct of the police. Even when the Inspector General of Police refused to see anything wrong with the actions of the police, Mr Hichilema took it upon himself to apologise to the ZCCB because he knows that what was attacked was not just an individual bishop but the leadership of the Catholic Church.
Yet when the same police invaded the premises of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, when Mr Imenda attacked Archbishop Banda, and when Mr Mweetwa attacked Bishop Phiri, there has been no apology from Mr Hichilema to these bishops. The ZCCB has previously expressed its displeasure at the government’s conduct in relation to Archbishop Banda, and many people have also asked the government to apologise to Bishop Phiri. However, no apology has to date been rendered to the ZCCB or Dr Banda or Bishop Phiri. Why? Is it UPND policy to discredit Catholic bishops from Eastern Province? We ask this question because the commonality between Archbishop Banda and Bishop Phiri is that they are both from the Eastern Province.
And without downplaying the vileness of the attacks on Archbishop Banda by the ruling party’s Secretary General, the attacks on Bishop Phiri are grave because they were made by the SPOKESPERSON of the Government of Zambia. By standing on the platform of government spokesperson, Mr Mweetwa committed the entire government to these attacks on Bishop Phiri and the Catholic Church. Yet all that Bishop Phiri did was to bemoan the widespread poverty and high cost of living in the country. Bishop Phiri questioned why a country with such wealth and resources should have suffering citizens. He also called on politicians to fulfil their promises and improve the livelihoods of the people. Bishop Phiri further lamented the inadequate infrastructure development, particularly the poor state of the roads in Lumezi. He urged the government to go beyond promises and take practical measures to address these issues whilst stressing the significance of prioritising critical services like schools and hospitals.
The above are the views over which the UPND is crucifying Bishop Phiri, who is merely drawing attention to the plight of his flock. There is nothing wrong Bishop Phiri has done to warranty such disrespect and bullying from Mr Hichilema’s administration. The Catholic Church is known for not shying away from social, political, and economic matters affecting the people. It’s social teachings call for that. True to the life, authentic teachings, and holy practices of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church administers to the whole human person, body and soul, and in communion with other human beings. Jesus fed the hungry, castigated the corrupt, the greedy, and chasticised liars and hypocrites as he preached the word of God. Pope John Paul II summed up this well when he said: “I am not the evangelizer of democracy; I am the evangelizer of the Gospel. To the Gospel message, of course, belong all the problems of human rights; and if democracy means human rights, it also belongs to the message of the Church”.
Mr Hichilema and his regime must therefore realise that as long as there is destitution, misery, and squalor, the Church cannot keep quiet at all. They will always speak the truth with boldness and courage. The Church bears the material, religious, and moral responsibility over the people. No wonder they have always condemned corrupt, divisive, and brutal regimes globally. These interventions are part of its vocation. If any sane person should pronounce themselves on what Bishop Phiri said, it is to commend the Bishop for remaining steadfast in his pursuit for social justice, development, and peace, for his bold stance in highlighting the realities the people are facing on the ground, and for continuing to safeguard the moral and ethical values of his calling.
Moreover, Bishop Phiri is not an ignorant person; he is well knowledgeable about the conditions of life for most Zambians and the state of development in the countryside. Until his appointment by the Holy Father as Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata on December 10, 2022, Bishop Phiri was in charge of raising funds for diocesan activities. But before this portfolio, he also served as finance and administration manager at the ZCCB, among other various capacities he served in the Catholic Church. Without a doubt, Bishop Phiri has traversed the country and Eastern province in particular, performing his pastoral duties for many years, and there are not many people who are better placed to speak out on the socio-economic realities on the ground than him.
This is why we find the government’s attacks on Bishop Phiri totally uncalled for and extremely disrespectful, reckless, and unhinged. Why is the UPND leadership so intolerant to criticism? When did it become a wrongdoing to remind the government about its failures? Why does Mr Hichilema’s regime treat critics, or those with a different opinion to theirs, condescendingly and with a lot of hostility and insolence? Why are they so inept and dangerously immature in their handling of national affairs?
Why are Mr Hichilema and the UPND attacking the Catholic Church like this? Why is Mr Hichilema reluctant to apologise to the victims when those on the receiving end of his appointees’ attacks or insults are bishops from the Eastern Province? Is it deliberate? Is the UPND out to destroy the prestige of the Catholic Church and its leadership? If the answer is NO, then how come Mr Hichilema does not see anything wrong with the continued attacks by his officials on Catholic Bishops from the Eastern Province and the damage these attacks continue to inflict on the Church?
If the answer is YES, then the follow-up question is: to what purpose or effect? To elevate the Seventh Day Adventist Church – Mr Hichilema’s church – to a position far above that of the Catholic Church? Is the struggle for ethnic and regional supremacy now being extended to bringing down the Catholic Church and elevating the Seventh Day Adventist as the Church of the State? If this is not the case, then we ask Mr Hichilema to apologise to both Archbishop Banda and Bishop Phiri. If the president refuses to do so, then we would be left with no option but to conclude that Mr Hichilema is the one sponsoring these continued attacks on Catholic Bishops from the Eastern Province as part of a government policy of accelerating the pace of destruction of the Catholic Church in Zambia.
Millions of Zambians are worried at the behaviour of the UPND towards the Catholic Church. Not content with accelerating and deepening tribal divisions, Mr Hichilema and his UPND regime are doing everything they can to divide Zambians along religious lines for their selfish personal interests. This also explains why they may have singled out the Catholic Church for their special and brutal treatment. This is a dangerous path, and we warn the UPND to stop it! Zambia has enjoyed religious peace for a very long time. We want it this way.
In fact, what this government doesn’t know is that they have put themselves on a self-destructive path. The more they parade their narrow-mindedness and primitive conduct, the more they actually accelerate their departure in 2026.
Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party.
Fake outrage du jour. Today, Mmembe and pools are ‘outraged’ about the treatment of the individual speaking, not on behalf of the Catholic Church. Yesterday, they were ‘outraged’ about the census. Tomorrow, what fake outrage will they manufacture?
The most unserious of people, a soap opera opposition with no substance or ideas for helping Zambians.
Are you Mweetwa’s lapdog?
Vote wisely in 2026.
Problem is this PF Bishop deliberately poked the bees’ honey and started the controversy. How can in all honesty say this Govt has not done anything and not met its promises.
The Bishop made serious allegations he cant even substantiate. He lives and shits in Lumezi and knows that they voted for Munir Zulu not UPND. So the Auxiliary Bishop voted for Munir and Lungu that lied to them. But in his usual malicious manner, he’s accusing the UPND of lies which he did not vote for!
In the olden days, priests never used to lie nor politik. This one is not even ashamed of telling lies or politiking behind the pulpit. Is he genuine? Complaining about the Road when CDF is there to use if they really wanted. Sunday Chanda bought earth moving equipment and done new roads in his constituency.
But look at Munir Zulu who is wasting time in courts and following Edgar Lungu and Jean Chisenga in their extra marital affairs and drinking sprees instead of developing his constituency! That Bishop knows better! Why doesn’t he ask Munir what he has done so far as MP in 4 years? The stunted MP should not even be thinking of reelection in 2026 because he has done nothing! The constituency has no MP and has a useless Bishop as well.
The real question is whether it is Catholic church policy to tell lies, to use the pulpit to propagate a falsehood?
The church and government should be partners in uplifting the people. If the Catholic leader in question has sincere doubts about the performance of the current regime, he would have in the first instance gone to consult political leaders in his community, that failing he would have escalated the query to district, constituency, provincial and then national level. That this church leader didn’t follow this ladder shows insincerity in his concern for people’s welfare. He should just become a politician instead of getting bitter for not receiving brown envelopes from the current regime.
Why should people not point out your incompetence?
This Inspector Clouseau incompetence is destroying Zambia.
And why shouldn’t people point out the fallacy of a rogue clergyman?
Can Fred M’membe see beyond tribe? This congenital tribalist is hazardous to the country.
Fred is not fit to be a leader of any thing.He is very very very irresponsible indeed.His talk is centred at dividing people in the country.These are sentiments of regionalism.
IS IT UPND POLICY TO DISCREDIT CATHOLIC BISHOPS FROM EASTERN PROVINCE? IS IT ALSO POLICY FOR CATHOLIC BISHOPS FROM EASTERN PROVINCE TO DISCREDIT UPND? IT IS SHAMEFUL FOR A PRIEST TO SPEND THE WHOLE OF HIS TIME AT THE PULPIT WITHOUT MENTIONING THE NAME JESUS BUT JUST TALKING ABOUT HH AND THE UPND. ARE SOME PRIESTS REALLY WORTH THE NAME? THESE CHEAP PRIESTS SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY REPRESENT GOD AND NOT THE SO CALLED VOICELESS. GOD HIMSELF IS THE ONE WHO CARES FOR POOR, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS JUST AS HE CARES FOR ALL HIS CREATURES. CAN WE PLEASE PREACH THE GOSPEL AND NOT POLITICS, LET US WARN AND REMIND THE PEOPLE ABOUT THE SOON COMING OF JESUS CHRIST, SO THAT HE FINDS THEM READY FOR HIM. ATTACKING THE GOVERNMENT EVERYDAY IS NOT SPEAKING FOR THE VOICELESS.
Membe. When did you become the Public Relations Officer for the Catholic bishops? Do you even go to church?
Catholic Priests should be put into line of fire. How can one even have a tabulated script at the pulpit all about HH and UPND!
The Catholics are getting big headed. And they they say WE ARE CATHOLICS who cares! Who damn cares! The Approach of Mweetwa is on point.
If a Catholics Priest stands at the pulpit and for 40 minutes not even mentioning Jesus, Maria or God but instead they concentrate on cost of living, UPND government and HH then they are ready for mud slinging…If I were President I would lock the noise Catholics.
Mweetwa as Chief government spokes person should take them on because now they are in opposition category.
Catholics are over rating themselves too much it is time to size them up!
M’membe is a menace to the nation. All want he sees is tribe in anything. What is so special about these church leaders from eastern province? If they err just like anyone else, they should be told in no uncertain terms. As for you M’membe politics is not one of your strengths. You simply don’t belong there. You better look for something else that will satisfy your ego.
Mmembe wrong question. Is it the Catholic Churches policy to be in “bed” with person that seek to undermine the law and regime of a country? The mandate of the church is spread the gospel. Why are Priests and Catholics in particular using the Pulit to preach division and hate? Let politicans do politics.
Membe at it Again! Semantics and support for wrong doers. That priest was paid by Kalaba to critisize the government on his behalf and was given a list of points to deliver to the congregants. Remember it is all lies because a long list of successes have been scored by HH and UPND.
We are the people who can tell you how we feel about this government, not you Membe, not Kalaba or any other person pretending to be a leader, yet all they want is the opportunity to plunder. With a record of Tax Evasion and non repayment of government loans you got while at both the post and Zambian Airways, you are bound to cleanup the treasury, so, you shall continue hallucinating.
You need help because you have not recovered from the trauma you suffered with the dismantling of hour post newspapers. Apparently you direct your anger at the UPND instead of the PF.
CORRUPT AND TRIBAL PRIESTS HIDING IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE A DANGER TO THE UNITY OF THIS NATION ZAMBIA.
SUCH PRIESTS PUT RWANDA ON FIRE AND WHILE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS GOOD FOR THE TROUBLED SOULS, ROGUE PRIESTS ARE TARNISHING ITS IMAGE.
MWEETWA WAS RIGHT TO CASTIGATE THAT PRIEST WHO, POSSIBLY TOOK A BIT MORE WINE THAN THE MEASURE, WENT OUT OF CONTEXT TO DELIVER A MESSAGE, WRONG MESSAGE TO THE INNOCENT CONGREGANTS ON BEHALF OF YET ANOTHER PRODUCT OF CORRUPT PF WHO TRIED TO USE THE LATE MWANAWASA’S ( MHSRIEP)GENUINE RESIGNATION FROM THE CORRUPT CHILUBA GOVERNMENT AS A TRUMP CARD FOR HIS SUCCESS IN CLEANSING HIS NAME.
BA MEMBE, FWAYENIKO INSHILA IMBI IYO MWALAPANGILAMO KALUPIYA.
UKUPASA IMITUNDU TAKWAMWAFWE IYO.
Membe at it Again! Semantics and support for wrong doers. That priest was paid by Kalaba to critisize the government on his behalf and was given a list of points to deliver to the congregants. Remember it is all lies because a long list of successes has been scored by HH and UPND.
We are the people who can tell you how we feel about this government, not you Membe, not Kalaba or any other person pretending to be a leader, yet all they want is the opportunity to plunder.
With a record of Tax Evasion and non repayment of government loans you got while at both the post and Zambian Airways, you are bound to cleanup the treasury, so, you shall continue hallucinating about becoming president of this country. You are more of a predator and scatterer than a leader.
You need help because you have not recovered from the trauma you suffered from the dismantling of your post newspapers. Apparently you direct your anger at the UPND instead of the PF because you dont probably know who wronged you.
CORRUPT AND TRIBAL PRIESTS HIDING IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE A DANGER TO THE UNITY OF THIS NATION ZAMBIA.
SUCH PRIESTS PUT RWANDA ON FIRE AND WHILE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS GOOD FOR THE TROUBLED SOULS, ROGUE PRIESTS ARE TARNISHING ITS IMAGE.
MWEETWA WAS RIGHT TO CASTIGATE THAT PRIEST WHO, POSSIBLY ALSO TOOK A BIT MORE WINE THAN THE MEASURE, WENT OUT OF CONTEXT TO DELIVER A MESSAGE, WRONG MESSAGE TO THE INNOCENT CONGREGANTS ON BEHALF OF YET ANOTHER PRODUCT OF CORRUPT PF WHO TRIED TO USE THE LATE MWANAWASA’S ( MHSRIEP)GENUINE RESIGNATION FROM THE CORRUPT CHILUBA GOVERNMENT AS A TRUMP CARD FOR HIS OWN SUCCESS IN CLEANSING HIS NAME AFTER FILLING THE FOREIGN SERVICE WITH HIS OWN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW FUNDING HIM.
BA MEMBE, FWAYENIKO INSHILA IMBI IYO MWALAPANGILAMO KALUPIYA.
UKUPASA IMITUNDU TAKWAMWAFWE IYO.
The type of politics some opposition is using is extremely bad and dangerous.They have moved from issue based politics to attacking the persons as individuals, meaning the politics has changed course.They have failed to convince the people on proper political issues concerning governance, development and well being of people in the nation.They will now want to talk about persons combing hair or how they dress.We see them now using priest to do politics, Priests have become their lawyers.It is a situation where when the priests lose the political ground they will throw the bible and hold political rallies in churches.The moment Priests become political cadres anarchy starts. That’s why it is important for priests to avoid joining political sides.The church will eventually get decided.There will later be a stage where the congregation start to lose faith that will pose threat to piece which people have been enjoying for years.You priest must desist from joining politics.Dont bring politics inside the church.Some priest did that in other countries and when the situation went to worse, the priests were seen in jail serving long prison sentences.Please stop it by discouraging politicians from using your names.You must separate your selves from the evil sentiments some politicians are engaged in.
The priests are human beings who should not be hiding and misusing katolika. Come out of katolika and see how politics is done.
My brother Citizen,
I totally concur with you & your Question, Let me also, add here,
IS IT , ALSO A POLICY ,OF THE CATHOLIC, CHURCH? THAT, ONLY, THIER CLERGIES, WHO, HAIL FROM, EASTERN, & NORTHERN AREAS,.. ALLOWED, TO DISCREDIT, THE PRESIDENT & UPND,.? WHY IS IT ,,THAT, ALWAYS,SAME PRIESTS, FROM SAME REGIONS, ARE ALWAYS,IN THE FOREFRONT,,TO ,,TALK ILL OF THE UPND GOVERNMENT…
Yet, when PF ,GANGS and LUNGU,were running amock, , those vocal today were quiet and in Hiding?
One, known Catholic Priest,,went on , publicly, announcing that,
WE WOULD, RATHER, RIG THE 2021, ELECTIONS, IN ORDER TO RETURN,PF, ,and No one rebuked Him, not even His Church,,,
And while we say this, We equally, acknowledge,that Not all Catholic Priests,are, anti Government,
No,no, But, THE ,HOTEHEADS, ONES, re very well known by the Citizens of our Country, Those are the Ones, UPND, Shall respond to,, from now On