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Zambia’s Church Leaders Decry “unpalatable remarks” against Religious Figures, Urge “respect of dignity of all People”

Silas Isenjia

By Silas Isenjia

Lusaka, 23 March, 2025 / 9:24 pm (ACI Africa).

Church leaders in Zambia have denounced what they have termed “unpalatable remarks” against faith leaders, who they say try to call out the government of the Southern African nation on various misdeeds including unfair distribution of resources and poor infrastructure.

In a March 19 statement, the church leaders, who included representatives of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) emphasize the Church’s role as a voice of the voiceless.

“We observe that Church leaders, in the course of fulfilling their role of providing checks and balances, have been subjected to unpalatable remarks with no consequences,” they lament. 

The church leaders add, “We strongly object to the demeaning language used against Church leaders. We believe that it is essential to uphold the dignity of all people, regardless of their role in society.”

“This incident exemplifies the ongoing tensions between political figures and religious leaders, especially when the Church fulfills its responsibility to provide checks and balances,” say the CCZ, EFZ, and ZCCB leaders.

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Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri, the Auxiliary Bishop of Zambia’s Chipata Catholic Diocese, has reportedly been at the centre of tensions with the country’s United Party for National Development (UPND) government for being vocal about governance gaps. 

Bishop Phiri has criticized President Hakainde Hichilema-led government for failing to realize promises, particularly regarding the rehabilitation of roads in Eastern Province.

For instance, the Zambian Catholic Bishop has highlighted the dire state of roads leading to areas such as Vubwi, Chadiza, and Lundazi, adding that residents were compelled to use routes through Malawi, incurring additional border fees.

In his criticism, Bishop Phiri is said to have expressed concern about delays in fertilizer distribution, noting that agriculture is the primary livelihood in the region, and that such a setback adversely affects farmers’ welfare.

Reacting to the criticisms, Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, threatened Bishop Phiri. 

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In his March 4 press release, Mr. Mweetwa said that the Zambian government was going to isolate him and deal with him in person for challenging the government.

The President of the Association of Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy (AZADCC), Fr. Augustine Mwewa, is said to have defended Bishop Phiri, asserting that Bishop Phiri's homilies represent the broader Catholic Church and the Holy Father, not just personal opinions.

Fr. Mwewa cautioned the Zambian government against isolating and targeting the Catholic Bishop for speaking truth to power. 

In their March 19 statement, the church leaders in Zambia say, “We have a duty to speak to the moral conscience of the Nation, a task that we are committed to do informed by our scriptures and not coercion by any other forces.”

They explain, “The three Church Mother Bodies have consistently and actively spoken on matters of public and national interest. We do not rush to comment on issues, as we strive to ensure that our messages are informed, thoughtful, and balanced.”

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In their statement, Zambia’s church leaders reaffirm their responsibility before their respective congregants.

“The various Churches and Parishes continue to actively provide ongoing pastoral care, counselling, and sermons that speak directly or indirectly to issues promoting Christian values and principles in our society,” they say.

The leaders of the ZCCB, CCZ, and EFZ have also weighted in on a couple other issues, including what they have described as “the rushed and hasty constitutional amendment process” and “the ever-increasing cost of living for Zambians.”

“Our repeated calls for constitutional amendments have largely gone unanswered. Why is the government drafting documents in isolation without public consultation?” they pose. 

The church leaders denounce the” growing culture of miscommunication” in the country.

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They also decry the “emergence of cadre militancy, with the wearing of military regalia and the blatant disregard for traffic rules” and “the lack of urgency and attention given to calls for national dialogue, reconciliation, and national unity.”

In the statement that CCZ general secretary, Rev. Emmanuel Chikoya, EFZ executive secretary, Bishop Andrew Mwenda, and ZCCB secretary general, Fr. Francis Mukosa, signed, the church leaders reaffirm their stance of autonomy, resisting any form of coercion.

“We reserve the right to speak or remain silent as we see fit, and we will not be dictated to by any political party or individual. We will not be coerced into speaking at your pace or on your timeline,” they say.

Zambia’s church leaders urge the government to “address the underlying causes of poverty, such as the need for sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective energy, as well as comprehensive poverty alleviation strategies.”

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.