RCZ former synod moderator dismissed from church
REFORMED Church in Zambia (RCZ) former vice synod moderator Clement Mwanza has been dismissed from the church for allegedly participating in politics.
Dr Mwanza, who contested the Lusangazi Central parliamentary seat in the August 13 general election, has lost his pastoral licence for breaching the church’s constitution by actively engaging in politics.
According to a resolution and notice from the 34th RCZ Synod Council meeting held in Katete from 2 to 5 September and seen by Zambia Daily Mail, Dr Mwanza was dismissed from ministry for abrogating Article 43 of the church’s constitution.
The synod also dismissed two other reverends for varying reasons.
“Withdraw the ordination certificate and practising licence in the RCZ from reverend Kachinga Kalumba following his resignation from the pastoral ministry. Dismiss reverend Caxton Phiri from pastoral ministry in the RCZ.
Dismiss reverend Dr Clement Mwanza from pastoral ministry in the RCZ for abrogating Article 43 by joining active politics,” the resolution notice reads in part.
The gathering also turned down an appeal from rev Allan Sakala, who was seeking re-admission to RCZ’s ministry following his earlier resignation.
The notice indicates that all the aforementioned clerics remain members of the church, but are barred from performing any pastoral role in any congregation or church institution.
RCZ synod moderator Ackson Banda said Dr Mwanza breached Article 43 of the church constitution by failing to resign before entering active politics.
He said the constitution explicitly forbids pastors from engaging in active politics, noting that the consequence for any pastor who does so without resigning is removal from the pulpit.
“Dr Mwanza remains a member of the church, but has been recalled from the pulpit and barred from participating in any role within church institutions,” Rev Banda said.
Dr Mwanza previously stood as the running mate to former Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi during the 2016 general election.