By Simon Muntemba
MUCH as I appreciate the counsel and criticism from the church, some constant negative criticism puts me off, President Edgar Lungu has said. President Lungu said the church should be able to offer guidance to political leaders and government in a loving manner than always passing negative sentiments about them because they will be perceived as doomsayers.
What puts me off is that I have never received any compliments on our achievements from some people. All they say is that this guy has failed. so I keep saying to myself that are you sure that since I became President I have not scored a single goal? Does it mean that to some people I have not achieved anything? But then you lose the opportunity of learning from such people because we take it that they are negative all the times even when their messages synchronises with a noble thing.
So let us avoid being perceived as doomsayers who are always criticising, once in a while when we do well compliment us,” President Lungu said. So as you counsel us, he said, please also give us compliments where we are doing well than always condemning us. Because if you keep saying these guys have failed even when we are genuinely doing fine, we will consider you a sworn enemy and your wisdom will go to waste.
So I would urge the church to be forthright in complimenting and condemning. The head of State said this at State House in Lusaka yesterday when the Lusaka Association of Catholic Diocesan Clergy paid a courtesy call on him. President Lungu called for closer cooperation between political leaders and the clergy saying, government and the church cannot afford to work in isolation. He reiterated government’s commitment to continue working with the church regardless of sentiments from various groups of society to uplift the welfare of the citizenry. “Let us continue collaborating with the church, political parties and the State because we are one.
And let not anyone put us asunder by saying since this is the season for politics lets avoid the church or they should avoid politicians,” he said. He also urged the church to pray for all political parties as they adopt their candidates in the August 12 elections to elect God-fearing leaders for the country to continue enjoying the Christianity nation status with Christian values such as love. Meanwhile, president of the Lusaka Association of Catholic Diocesan Clergy Joseph Mwanamwalye commended the President for having constantly preached peace and unity in the county. He said the, “We are in solidarity with you as priests.” Fr Mwanamwalye who was flanked by priests from parishes in Lusaka called for peace and unity, before, during and after elections.
