By Chinoyi Chipulu
Citizens First deputy secretary general Ambassador Dr Mwaba Kasese-Bota has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to reconcile with the Catholic Church and demonstrate respect for the bishops and the entire clergy.
Dr Botha stated that what happened to FDD leader Edith Nqawakwi was very sad because a Catholic faithful was always taken to his or her Church and buried with the Catholic honors whether it was a state funeral or not.
In a statement to Daily Revelation yesterday, Ambassador Kasase-Bota stated the injustice that was seen with Nawakwi was simply a result of total failure to carry out the governance responsibilities in a fair and objective manner.
“As a Catholic, I feel very hurt that the government had to take president Edith Nawakwi’s body to Cathedral of the Holy Cross and denied a chance for the Catholic Eklesiastic send off,” she stated.
She stated that Nawakwi suffered injustice when she alive and suffered injustice in death, simply because the Head of State and his government had disdain for the Catholic Church.
She stated that the President had all the powers, so he was the one with the mantle of responsibility of uniting and reconciling not only with the opposition leaders but with the Church.
Ambassador Kasase-Bota stated that President Hichilema spoke reconciliation and the country would wait to see the actions.
She stated that a Catholic faithful was always taken to his or her Church and buried with the Catholic honors.
“Everyone is criticised but criticism does not mean hatred and enmity so much that a Catholic faithful should be punished for her faith. CF was a party of unity. We urge the President not to only talk reconciliation but walk reconciliation too,” she stated.
Ambassador Kasase-Bota added that the he reconciliation should include throwing out the retrogressive manner of amending the constitution, reconciling with the Catholic Church and demonstration of respect for the bishops and the entire clergy.
