Bishop Phiri defies Archbishop Mpundu

Chipata Catholic Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Benjamin Phiri has defied the statement by the three church mother bodies.

Bishop has told QFM news that the views expressed by Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops president Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu on behalf of the church mother bodies last week on the continued detention of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema do not represent the entire Catholic church.

Bishop Phiri states that it was inappropriate to have such a statement circulated as having been issued by the ZCCB when its membership was not consulted.

He says the Catholic Church’s official position is to play a motherly role to all regardless of their political affiliation, and not taking a partisan stance.

He states that the church does not take sides in politics because its membership is diverse with people from different backgrounds.

Bishop Phiri however, notes that there are a few individuals in the church with different agendas who have and opted to use the church’s name.

Bishop Phiri is the second Catholic Bishop to distance himself from the statement issued by Archbishop Mpundu after Ndola diocese Bishop Alick Banda.