Dr Fred M’membe writes… LET’S ALL GATHER AT THE CATHEDRAL OF CHILD JESUS AND PRAY FOR ARCHBISHOP BANDA Tomorrow, Monday, September 28, 2026, at 10:00 hours, Archbishop Dr Alick Banda will be reporting to the Drug Enforcement Commission following a call out issued to him last week. Before proceeding to DEC, there will be mass […]

Dr Fred M’membe writes…

LET’S ALL GATHER AT THE CATHEDRAL OF CHILD JESUS AND PRAY FOR ARCHBISHOP BANDA

Tomorrow, Monday, September 28, 2026, at 10:00 hours, Archbishop Dr Alick Banda will be reporting to the Drug Enforcement Commission following a call out issued to him last week.

Before proceeding to DEC, there will be mass at 08:00 hours at the Cathedral of the child Jesus.

Let’s all attend this mass. Let all members of our lay groups come in their uniforms for this mass.

Supporting and standing with spiritual leaders during times of persecution including when they face pressure or targeting from political authorities is a vital calling in Scripture, reflecting the unity of the body of Christ and the defense of truth.

Believers are called to support, pray for, and defend spiritual leaders facing hardship and opposition, following biblical commands to share in one another’s sufferings and uphold those who labour in the Word.

Hebrews 13:3 “Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

Believers are commanded to emotionally and practically identify with those facing imprisonment or mistreatment for righteousness. 2 Timothy 1:16-18  “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me…”

The Apostle Paul commended Onesiphorus for actively seeking him out and refusing to abandon him when he was imprisoned for the Gospel by political/state powers. Galatians 6:2  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

When religious leaders are crushed under the heavy burden of political hostility, the congregation and community are required to help carry that weight.1 Corinthians 12:26 “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.”

The church is a unified body. If a spiritual leader is targeted or persecuted, the rest of the body shares that suffering and must respond accordingly. Ephesians 6:18-19 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests… Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”

Paul frequently asked believers to pray for his boldness and protection against hostile authorities, showing that intercession is a primary form of support. Matthew 25:35-40 “I was in prison and you came to visit me… Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.”

Serving and standing beside leaders who face unjust chains or targeting is treated as serving Christ Himself.

Fred M’membe