CCZ,ZCCB oppose creation of religious affairs ministry

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have opposed the formation of the ministry of National Guidance and religious affairs.

The two Church mother bodies have noted this with the background of various financial and economic challenges the country is currently facing.

In a joint statement, ZCCB President Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu and CCZ president Bishop Dr. Alfred Kalembo say they neither see the creation of the said ministry as a top priority nor a prudent decision further expressing their belief that Zambians want their country to be a democracy rather than a theocracy.

They note that as churches and other faith communities, they have thus far been able to exercise their God-given mandate and meaningfully contribute towards national development without having such a ministry.

And Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have pledged to continue to be non-partisan and respectful while playing a vital role of being a voice of conscience calling a nation to order, especially in the aftermath of the 2016 general elections that have incurred on people scars of violence, division, tribalism and hatred.

They state that the common denominator and mutual rallying point between the Church and the State is that they are both concerned about the common good and the well-being of God’s people.

And the two church mother bodies have reassured its membership that they will not be intimidated in exercising their God-given mission of being the conscience of the nation and exercising the prophetic ministry of calling for social justice following the example of Jesus Christ.

The CCZ and ZCCB have since pledged their commitment to continue being credible and reliable instruments for promoting a culture of dialogue, reconciliation, justice, unity, development, respect for divergent views and peace in Zambia.