By SIMON MUNTEMBA in Chipangali
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has encouraged the Catholic Church not only to pray but to speak to political leaders without biasness in a manner that they would all feel the love of the church.
And the President said there was need for political leaders both from the ruling and opposition to listen to the church’s advice for the sake of peace and harmony.
He said without listening to the church’s guidance, the politicians destroy the peace that Zambia has enjoyed for a long time. The head of State said this yesterday when he attended a church service at Kalichelo Catholic Parish in Chipangali District.
He said the church should speak without fear or favor to all politicians who may come to church to win votes for them to be better leaders.
“Talk to us truthfully and honestly so that we see the love of the church. “Speak to us without fear or favour,” he said.
Mr Lungu also hoped that the politicians that flocked to the church to win votes as the country heads towards the 2021 elections would be convicted by the holy spirit to become Christians and become good leaders once elected.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Chipata Diocese and president of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), George Lungu said being a political and church leader was a calling which must be taken seriously.
Bishop Lungu said leaders should not be selfish but think of others. He said there was need for leaders to be closer to the people they serve to appreciate their challenges.
Politically, he said, ministers should be there to help the President to deliver the much needed services to the people because he cannot be everywhere.
He expressed sadness that some infrastructure development in the region that were at over 80 percent had stalled and being vandalized. He further wondered whether the ministers charged with the responsibility to help the President in implementing such projects were telling him the truth.
The Bishop said for the President’s good vision to materialize, it was cardinal for ministers to buy into it and be his eyes.
Counsel all politicians, Lungu tells Catholic church
