PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says Government will engage the Archdiocese of Chipata Bishop George Lungu to find out his reservations on the Covid Relief Fund which has been extended to the churches
Mr Lungu says it is good that other bishops in the Catholic Church have allowed their priests to accept the government empowerment programmes.
He says Government has no plans to antagonise Bishop Lungu but will have to get his thinking on the matter with a view of finding a solution.
President Lungu said this when he held a meeting with Apostolic Nuncio Gianfranco Gallone at State House.
The meeting was also attended by PF Secretary General, Davies Mwila and PF national Chairman Ngonga Mukupa.
He says the Catholic Church has worked so well with the government since 1964 and this must continue.
President Lungu said the Church is Government’s great partner in the provision of services such as education and health.
He said that it is the church that asked government to be considered in the empowerment programs because of the effects of Covid 19 pandemic.
And Apostolic Nuncio Gianfranco Gallone said the PF government and the Catholic Church enjoy excellent Relations.
He said he is aware that the Church and government through the ministry of Religious Affairs met in October last year and agreed on the Covid relief fund for churches.
He said each Bishop had their own jurisdiction on how they wanted to handle church matters within their territory.
The Nuncio said there is need for continued dialogue and cooperation between government and the church in order to continue providing services to the people of Zambia .
He said it is good that the government of Zambia has recognized the efforts of the church in national development. – ZNBC.
