IN DEFENCE OF ARCHBISHOP BANDA AND THE CHURCH’S VOICE

IN DEFENCE OF ARCHBISHOP BANDA AND THE CHURCH’S VOICE I have read the open letter addressed to His Grace, Most Rev. Alick Banda, with sadness – not because Catholics cannot question or disagree with their Archbishop, but because the accusations seem to suggest that the Church should keep quiet simply because its voice has become […]

IN DEFENCE OF ARCHBISHOP BANDA AND THE CHURCH’S VOICE

I have read the open letter addressed to His Grace, Most Rev. Alick Banda, with sadness – not because Catholics cannot question or disagree with their Archbishop, but because the accusations seem to suggest that the Church should keep quiet simply because its voice has become uncomfortable to those in power.

Let me speak honestly as both a Catholic and a politician.

When I was in the ruling party, I watched the late Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu speak strongly against the government of the late President Edgar Lungu. I was part of the PF as Matero constituency secretary then. I did not attack the Archbishop. I understood the role of the church and within the party structures I echoed my stance too no wonder I became unpopular among some PF cadres who hated the truth.

Today, I am surprised that the current Archbishop is being attacked merely because he has refused to keep quiet when he believes government is failing in its responsibilities forgetting that the Church’s prophetic voice should not depend on which political party is in power or whether we personally agree with what the Church is saying.

If government is failing, let the Church say so. If politicians are wrong, let the Church correct us. And if the Church is wrong, we Catholics have every right to respectfully challenge it. But attempting to silence the Church because its message is uncomfortable is not defending democracy, nor defending Catholicism.

What exactly is partisan about Tonse Pamodzi Alliance President, Hon. Brian Mundubile, and his Running Mate, Hon. Makebi Zulu, paying a courtesy call on the Archbishop?

What is partisan about the two of them visiting the resting place of the late Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, who was the predecessor of Archbishop Alick Banda, within the premises of the Cathedral? Are we now saying that politicians are not allowed to visit spiritual leaders?

And most importantly: Has Archbishop Banda ever stood on the pulpit and told Catholics to vote for a particular political party or candidate? If he has not, then why are we manufacturing partisan motives around every interaction he has with opposition politicians?

What is even more worrying is that we have reached a point where people are trying to politicise candles during the planned Catholic candlelight Mass organised to pray for peace during elections saying a candle happens to resemble the symbol of some independent and opposition candidates.

Come on!

The Catholic Church has been using candles in its worship and liturgy for generations – long before today’s political parties, candidates and campaign symbols existed.

A candle is a candle bane.

It represents, among other things, Christ as the Light of the World.

We cannot suddenly redefine Catholic symbols according to the political symbols of the 2026 elections.

If we follow that logic, where do we stop?

Should those of us who do not support UPND be uncomfortable whenever we see the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Chitenge with its praying-hands logo simply because a hand is used as a symbol by UPND?

Should we accuse the CWO of campaigning for UPND because their material contains praying hands?

Of course not!

That would be absurd.

A political party does not acquire ownership of ordinary Christian symbols simply because it has chosen one of them as its campaign symbol.

The same applies to the lamp, the candle, praying hands and other symbols that have existed in Christian worship for generations.

LET US NOT POLITICISE EVERYTHING

The Catholic Church is bigger than Tonse Pamodzi Alliance.

It is bigger than UPND.

It is bigger than PF.

It is bigger than the 2026 elections.

And it is certainly bigger than any individual politician.

The Church belongs to Christ.

Politicians will come and go. Governments will come and go. Presidents will come and go. But the Church will remain.

Regarding Archbishop Mpundu’s grave, visiting the resting place of a departed shepherd is not automatically a political act. Catholics honour their departed priests, bishops and loved ones. We pray for the dead. We remember their service. We visit their graves.

The argument that “the dead cannot speak” is therefore misplaced.

The dead may no longer speak with their physical voices, but their legacy speaks.

Archbishop Mpundu’s courage speaks.

His service speaks.

His teachings speak.

His example continues to speak to the Church and to politicians.

And perhaps the greatest respect we can give him is to allow the Church he served to continue speaking truth to power.

LET THE CHURCH SPEAK!

Patrick Mwamba Salubusa
Matero Aspiring MP