UPND bans prayers

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 09:09:55 +0000

…refusing prayers is sign of paganism – Rev Kaela

By Aaron Chiyanzo

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says his party and members believe in true Christianity and will therefore not attend today’s national prayers because they were not genuine.

Mr Hichilema told a press briefing yesterday that  his party and its membership believes in true Christianity, its principles and values and not Christianity for convenience.

However, Bishops Council of Zambia (BCZ) secretary-general Reverend Able Kaela has charged that it is disheartening that Hakainde Hichilema has totally refused to participate in today’s prayers and has equally stopped his members from participating.

Rev Kaela accused Mr Hichilema acting like a pagan whose motive was questionable as he had refused to be part of any activities that promoted peace, unity and reconciliation in the country.

But Mr Hichilema said the UPND will therefore not take part in activities aimed at abusing the body of Christ.

He said politicians in the country are in the forefront abusing the name of Christ for their convenience and UPND will not be fooled into legitimatising such an abuse.

During a press briefing at his residence yesterday and attended by his Vice Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and party spokesperson Charles Kakoma, Mr. Hichilema said not until the PF removes the veil of hypocrisy which has resulted into the maiming of political opponents, UPND will continue attending prayers outside state declared activities.

Rev Kaela, however,  urged members of the opposition UPND not to listen to the party leadership’s call for them to shun national prayers as they were not political.

Rev Kaela reiterated that it was paganism for Mr Hichilema to encourage members of his party not to be part of national activities that promoted unity through prayers.

“As I am talking to you we are busy finalising for tomorrow’s activities, so people should not listen to Mr Hichilema. That is paganism, he doesn’t want to be party of activities that promote peace, unity and reconciliation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rev Kaela doubted whether Mr Hichilema really wanted to dialogue and reconcile with the President.

He pointed out that no well-meaning person would shun national prayers, and worse still encourage his members to do the same when everyone in the country was fighting for unity.

Rev Kaela warned that Zambians would not vote for a person with a pagan mentality to the office President because it was a Christian country.