ZAMBIA: Catholic Bishops call for Peace as Zambia prepares for General Elections
The Catholic Bishops of Zambia have called for a
genuine commitment to democratic values, renunciation of violence and hate
speech by all political parties.
genuine commitment to democratic values, renunciation of violence and hate
speech by all political parties.
In the January 2016 state of the nation Pastoral
Letter that addressed various issues the bishops said among the duties of the
government are to guarantee peace and security for all, to respect people’s
liberties and to promote a genuine and non-discriminatory rule of law.
Letter that addressed various issues the bishops said among the duties of the
government are to guarantee peace and security for all, to respect people’s
liberties and to promote a genuine and non-discriminatory rule of law.
The 13 bishops that signed the Pastoral Letter under
the theme: “Let there be Peace Among US”, further urged leaders in government
to be the torch-bearers in the promotion of true reconciliation and peace.
the theme: “Let there be Peace Among US”, further urged leaders in government
to be the torch-bearers in the promotion of true reconciliation and peace.
To the Youths, the bishops said that they are
supposed to be leaders of tomorrow but they have to start exercising leadership
today.
supposed to be leaders of tomorrow but they have to start exercising leadership
today.
“We advise the youths to claim their genuine
political space in the electoral process. They should refuse to be used as mere
tools of violence by politicians. We
appeal to the youth to accept and tolerate divergent views”, they said.
political space in the electoral process. They should refuse to be used as mere
tools of violence by politicians. We
appeal to the youth to accept and tolerate divergent views”, they said.
Meanwhile, the bishops have called upon the
media to be professional by reporting truthfully, objectively and factually as
they inform the public.
media to be professional by reporting truthfully, objectively and factually as
they inform the public.
They urged them to provide equitable coverage in
the electoral process and avoid promoting partisan politics in the manner of
reporting.
the electoral process and avoid promoting partisan politics in the manner of
reporting.
They said that as Zambia votes on August 11,
2016, they want to see a media landscape that is not polarized where the public
media is pro-ruling party while the private media is pro-opposition parties.
2016, they want to see a media landscape that is not polarized where the public
media is pro-ruling party while the private media is pro-opposition parties.
“We urge the public media to be professional,
ensure full and fair coverage of all political parties. We also want to see a
private and community based media that remain professional, accommodative and
inclusive in its covering of issues. Whichever media platform one uses, should
not fuel hate speech or insults in the name of the right to freely express
oneself. We also want a responsible use and reception of social media” They
said.
ensure full and fair coverage of all political parties. We also want to see a
private and community based media that remain professional, accommodative and
inclusive in its covering of issues. Whichever media platform one uses, should
not fuel hate speech or insults in the name of the right to freely express
oneself. We also want a responsible use and reception of social media” They
said.
And Bishops have urged all Christians to use
their prophetic voice in their communities to promote unity in the country and
refuse any politician to use their Churches and liturgical functions as
campaign forums.
their prophetic voice in their communities to promote unity in the country and
refuse any politician to use their Churches and liturgical functions as
campaign forums.
They said it is the duty of all Christians to
use their prophetic voice to denounce all forms of fraud in the electoral
process.
use their prophetic voice to denounce all forms of fraud in the electoral
process.
“All the
members of the Church must strive to ensure that the Gospel values of love,
reconciliation, tolerance, social justice, fairness, the common good, and
equality are promoted in our political and economic life”, they said.
members of the Church must strive to ensure that the Gospel values of love,
reconciliation, tolerance, social justice, fairness, the common good, and
equality are promoted in our political and economic life”, they said.
When cautioning the clergy to avoid being
partisan, the Bishops said, “We also appeal particularly to our own catholic
priests to remain non-partisan. The Church law is very clear on this (Cf. Canon
Law 285 and Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2442).
partisan, the Bishops said, “We also appeal particularly to our own catholic
priests to remain non-partisan. The Church law is very clear on this (Cf. Canon
Law 285 and Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2442).
It is morally wrong for the catholic priest to
use the pulpit to campaign for, or de-campaign any political party or
parties. In as much as we welcome
Catholic politicians to celebrate Mass with us, they must not give them any
platform to speak during liturgical celebrations”, the Bishops added.
use the pulpit to campaign for, or de-campaign any political party or
parties. In as much as we welcome
Catholic politicians to celebrate Mass with us, they must not give them any
platform to speak during liturgical celebrations”, the Bishops added.
By Mwenya Mukuka, ZEC Communications Office
