By Daily Revelation Correspondent
Former religious affairs minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili has urged Church leaders to denounce political leaders that are engaging in electoral violence.
And Advocates for the Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation chairperson Bishop Billy Mfula has implored Zambians to be patriotic.
Speaking when she addressed members of the Christian Ministers Fellowship in Kapiri Mposhi, Reverend Sumaili urged the clergy to counsel politicians that are fanning violence ahead of the August general election.
She stressed that there is need for Zambians to preserve the peace that the country has enjoyed since it attained independence.
“Our first Republican President the late Dr Kenneth Kaunda left a firm foundation of patriotism, peace, unity and love. And as Zambians, we are called upon to remain peaceful especially that this is an election year. And as the clergy, you are called upon to denounce political leaders that are engaging in electoral violence…you need to counsel politicians that are fanning violence. We need to remain peaceful,” said Reverend Sumaili.
She also urged the clergy and Zambians to preserve Christian values.
“And my humble plea to you is that the clergy should encourage their flock to preach love. Let us preserve our Christian values. And as the clergy, you are our shepherds; please shepherd the nation,” said Rev Sumaili.
And Reverend Sumaili has encouraged Christian Ministers Fellowship in Kapiri Mposhi to form cooperatives so that they can access the the Presidential COVID-19 Empowerment Funds.
“I am a carrier of the President’s message. The message is that His Excellency President Edgar Lungu appreciates the work that you do. The Church is such a cardinal and strategic partner in the governance of the country. Therefore, the President has come up with the Presidential COVID-19 Empowerment Funds. The President means well over this facility,” Reverend Sumaili explained. “And the Patriotic Front government is committed to ensuring that these funds are released to deserving recipients. So I would urge you to form cooperatives so that you can access these facilities…you can access these funds, but you need to be patient with government procedures. This is just the beginning of enrolling the facilities among Church leaders.”
And speaking at the same event, Advocates for the Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation chairperson Bishop Billy Mfula implored Zambians to be patriotic.
“Political leaders need to understand Zambia’s calling in order avoid abuse. Zambia has been called to be a priest to other nations. Zambia has been called to provide priesthood to other nations. Historically, Zambia has played a vital inter mediatory role among countries in the SADC region. And Zambians should be patriotic and love Zambia as a country. And I want to tell you that this year’s election is more spiritual than physical. So before going to the ballot, go to the altar,” Bishop Mfula said.
He also implored Zambians to reject political leaders that are advocating for values that are against Christianity.
“Ever since Zambia was declared a Christian nation; all Presidents that have come after the late President Frederick Chiluba have been endorsing Zambia as a Christian nation…a precedent has been set. We are a Christian nation. And Zambians should reject political leaders that want to legalise homosexuality in the country. That is against our Christian values,” said Bishop Mfula.
Meanwhile, Kapiri Mposhi Christian Ministers Fellowship chairperson Bishop Japhet Msoni thanked the Patriotic Front government for establishing the Presidential COVID-19 Empowerment Fund.
Bishop Msoni disclosed that the clergy in Kapiri Mposhi have formed a cooperative and are in the process of accessing Presidential COVID-19 Empowerment Fund.
“We thank the PF government for honouring the pledge of coming up with the Presidential COVID-19 Empowerment Fund. We are grateful….and once we access the funds, we intend to use this money for gardening and starting a poultry,” said Bishop Msoni.
