It’s a State attack on the Church, on her Bishops and leaders, and on Archbishop Alick Banda-ZCCB
●As ZCCB, we view this action as an attempt to suppress his voice as a Shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lusaka and a member of ZCCB.
●Archbishop Banda has faced consistent
name-calling and what we can now recognize as state-sponsored persecution.
●We consider it an abuse of authority for the ruling party to utilize state machinery against
an individual due to his stance on national governance and his efforts to hold the government accountable.
●We therefore condemn all forms of intimidation, harassment, and persecution
directed against the Catholic Church and her leaders.
●Such actions not only wound the
‘Body of Christ”, the Church, but also threaten the moral fabric and unity of our
nation.
●The Church’s voice must remain free to speak truth to powers that be, to comfort the afflicted, and to guide Zambia toward a future rooted in our motto: One
Zambia One Nation!
●Once again, the ZCCB expresses full solidarity with Archbishop Banda during this
period. We reaffirm that it is morally wrong to use state institutions to persecute those
who hold dissent views and/or provide oversight on matters of governance.
●Dialogue
and mutual respect should be the way to go
We exhort the Catholic faithful and all people of good.
Below is the full statement;
We, members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), express our unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda and all the Catholic faithful in
Zambia in the face of ongoing attacks against the Church’s mission and leadership.
We are aware that Most Reverend Alick Banda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lusaka, has been summoned to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit
of the Drug Enforcement Commission on Monday, 5th January 2026.
This was contained in a letter of summons delivered to him on 31st December 2025.
As ZCCB, we view this action as an attempt to suppress his voice as a Shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lusaka and a member of ZCCB. Archbishop Banda has faced consistent name-calling and what we can now recognize as state-sponsored persecution.
We consider it an abuse of authority for the ruling party to utilize state machinery against
an individual due to his stance on national governance and his efforts to hold the government accountable.
The Catholic Church has, for many years, stood as a beacon of faith, justice, and service to the people of Zambia.
Today, as attempts are made to silence her prophetic voice and undermine her pastoral mission, we affirm that the Church’s role in defending truth, justice, and human dignity cannot be diminished or suppressed.
Typical of the church to cry ati “State persecution”
Why don’t you accept that he is corrupt as are most of the church leaders in mother Zambia. I recall how the church support lungu and PF without questioning anything.
What did anyone expect from Catholic bishops.That Bishop Banda must report to DEC?
These are corrupt cadres who got so used to corruption. They are PF caders who are using PF only excuse if when one is found ready handed with hands in the cooky jar. No wonder there is little morality in the nation. This is because these priests are not there to lead. How can they preach thou shall not steal when they are in the forefront??? These are in the church not to serve, but to work and if you put any of these in charge of resources, you wouldn’t be surprised to in you found finances misappropriated? It’s such a big shame.
He just needs to answer some. questions. The gifts were done in secrecy, why?
It’s now clear that Catholic bishops are not genuine. They are clearly dishonest and don’t deserve respect. The issue nof their colleague is something simple and straight forward but they have deliberately chosen to complicate it. Surely is that in line with genuine Christianity. They have clearly exposed their partisan stand and are not holy as they purport. These guys were supposed to set a religious and respectful example other than this nuisance they are displaying. After all who said Catholics are special class of Christians. All churches are the same Catholics don’t deserve a special place anywhere. In addition those useless decisions they make are not inclusive of most of their followers. So government is still popular and those genuine Catholics will still vote and support HH and UPND this year’s election.
In the first place, It’s very shameful for a Bishop to be summoned for questioning regarding a crime. This on it’s on tells much about who this Bishop associates with, people of no integrity. The bigger question is why does he associate with and receive donations from them?
He is a crook and a known PF cadre so instead of protecting him the church should ask him to leave and meet HH in the political arena as did frank bwalya instead of hiding behind church robes or else throw him out by force because as it stands now he is bringing the name of the church in disrepute.