KANCHIBIYA MP, SUNDAY CHANDA, PROPOSES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRUCTURE FOR CHURCH/STATE DIALOGUE
MEDIA STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
ON STRENGTHENING STATE–CHURCH CO-EXISTENCE FOR NATIONAL UNITY
Kanchibiya, 6th January 2026-
Zambia’s identity as a Christian Nation is not merely constitutional language; it is the moral foundation upon which our national unity, peace, and democratic stability have been built.
From our earliest democratic transitions to moments of national tension, the Church has stood as a custodian of conscience, while the State has stood as the custodian of order. These two institutions have historically worked not in competition, but in complementarity, each strengthening the other for the common good.
It is therefore important that, as a nation, we deliberately guard and strengthen this co-existence.
The Church must be free to offer moral guidance and constructive critique without fear or intimidation. Equally, the State must be respected as the legitimate authority mandated to govern, protect, and develop the Republic. Where differences in perspective arise, they must be handled through dialogue, not hostility; through engagement, not escalation.
However, our current engagements between Government and faith leadership are often reactive, crisis-driven, and episodic. This creates an environment where misunderstandings can harden into unnecessary public confrontations.
In this regard, I respectfully propose the establishment of a Presidential Faith and Social Cohesion Roundtable, meeting on a quarterly basis, composed of:
1. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB),
2. The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ),
3. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ),
4. Other Faith-based organizations, and
5. Key social ministries of Government.
Such a structured forum would institutionalize dialogue, transform engagement from confrontation to consultation, and provide a consistent platform for moral, social, and national cohesion discourse.
Zambia does not benefit from a polarized moral space. When public institutions and faith leadership drift into open confrontation, the greatest casualty is public trust.
I therefore call upon all stakeholders to recommit themselves to mutual respect, structured dialogue, and collaborative social action. Our people are best served when law walks with conscience, and authority listens to truth.
Zambia needs neither a silent Church nor an intolerant State.
Zambia needs partnership, not polarization.
May we continue to choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, and national interest over institutional rivalry.
Hon. Sunday Chanda, MP
Kanchibiya Constituency
Tondolo musuma
Lets not stroke the already selfrightous egos of certain individuals.
If through the dialogue with the state was unproductive during Bill 7. What would you achieve?
Sunday you have personalities that would rather see you dead for working for the people of Zambia, what rational discussion can you have with such a people? In life there just somemisfits that are so filled with themselves that you wonder who spawned them? They are beyond rehabilitation. Ask what productive discussion can you have with such a people? If Bishop Alec Banda can not see how his leadship has disrupted the church and its true work. Surely soon God will deal with him. You can not be a pain to humanity you claim to serve; just so that humanity can suffer you. Where is Edgar Lungu today? Sorry I think your suggestion is just a super structure that strokes the egos of detractors. A cost to society that takes resources from areas where real need is required, just so that they have their way. How long has Zambia done that?
Sunday Chanda did what he did for his own selfish interests. Only he knows how he benefited. I hope it was well worth it. If the rumours are true that he was one of those that got bribed with a ka 3 million Kwacha, he will be jailed after August. In any case, he is a disgrace to his people. Some people are easily bought, no principles at all. There is an active case lodged with ACC about these bribes. Once we get a real proper president in August that loathes corruption, people will be brought to account. All immunities will be removed. Even old cases for treason will be brought back.
REJECT TRIBALISM, CORRUPTION AND OPPRESSION.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN AUGUST.
Indeed, am Looking forward to the arraignments of those who bribed and got bribes over the illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7…As for Sunday Chanda, his day is coming.
From past history, when you see a so called ” Smooth Guy ” , dig deeper and the rot emerges.
One does have to say more as the “degenerates” bring themselves to the fro….
And prove my point.
Excellent submission. May I add that we should also discuss how the invisible hand of the executive through proxies of appointees causing these type of issues can be sorted out.
It is time to advocate for independence in the appointments of certain sensitive political positions.
The elephant in the room everyone is not addressing the real culprit in this saga. The politicians who influenced this mess as a way of appeasement.
This abusive door needs to be closed permanently. Its time for civil politics.
* public positions