POLICE SUMMONING OF FR MUKOSA OVER HIS EASTER HOMILY
Lufwanyama’s St Joseph’s Mission priest in charge, Fr Chewe Mukosa, has been summoned by the police for questioning on Tuesday following his homily on Easter Sunday. As far as I can remember, it is probably the first time in the history of this country that a priest has been summoned by police over his homily, his words in church. To borrow from Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s vocabulary, this is “First Time Ever” !
If a priest is preaching the Word of God, would you agree that he should be free in this country to say what needs to be said in order to apply that Word of God to the circumstances of our times?
The Second Vatican Council defended the freedom of the preacher in these words in the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: “…At all times and in all places, the Church should have the true freedom to teach the faith, to proclaim its teaching about society, to carry out its task among men without hindrance, and to pass moral judgment even in matters relating to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it” (GS 76).
Now, bishops and priests are intimidated about preaching about politics.
Freedom of speech is a bedrock of our Republic. It takes on an even greater dimension when considered in the context of churches. Those who preach and teach the Word of God are carrying out a mission not given to them by an earthly authority, but rather entrusted to them by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The content of a sermon or religious teaching, therefore, has to be protected in order to insure that religion can be freely and properly exercised, that the preacher can fulfill the sacred duties to which he is solemnly committed, and that the congregation can receive the clear and robust teaching of their religion, free of distortion, dilution, or apology.
That’s why each of us should say No to this intimidation and offer solidarity to Fr Mukosa. Those who can make it should turn up at Copperbelt Division Headquarters Building in Ndola at 10:00 hours on Tuesday April 9, 2024.
Again, we advise Mr Hakainde Hichilema that his exercise of power must be a constant practice of self limitation and modesty.
Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party
