UPND Aligned Lawyer and Catholic, McQueen Zaza Dropped from Catholic Men’s League Commissioning Over Facebook Post Criticising Archbishop Alick Banda
By Edmond Mbanga Miti Jr.
LUSAKA — United Party for National Development (UPND) member and Lusaka lawyer McQueen Zaza has been dropped from the Catholic Men’s League commissioning programme following a controversial Facebook post in which he criticised the Archbishop of Lusaka, Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda.
Mr. Zaza disclosed that the Parish Executive of the Catholic Men’s League informed him that he is “not suitable for commissioning at this stage” and advised him to wait for the next intake because the person he criticised Archbishop Banda is the one expected to perform the commissioning ceremony.
The development follows a social media post where Mr. Zaza advised Archbishop Banda against allowing personal differences with the UPND administration to drag the Catholic Church into matters he described as essentially personal.
Speaking out after the decision, Mr. Zaza expressed concern over what he termed intolerance and double standards within the church leadership.
“What I find particularly disturbing is the apparent attempt by Archbishop Alick Banda, through the Men’s League Executive, to have me excluded from the commissioning programme simply because he disagrees with my opinion,” Zaza stated. “It is particularly ironic that Archbishop Alick Banda expects Government to demonstrate tolerance towards differing opinions, yet appears unwilling to extend the same tolerance to someone who has expressed a contrary view about him.
Despite his exclusion, the UPND legal team member maintained that he stands by his comments and has no regrets over voicing his perspective.
“I firmly believe that personal differences should never be allowed to draw the Church into unnecessary conflict with Government. Such matters can and should be resolved amicably without involving the entire Church,” he added. “I remain firm in my belief that the Church must not be drawn into personal or political differences, and that no one should be made to feel unwelcome simply for holding a different opinion.”
Mr. Zaza concluded by wishing his fellow candidates well as they proceed with their commissioning, reaffirming his faith despite the setback.