ZAMBIA: If We Are to Prevent Something Worse to Happen Than Gassing Attacks, it is Now, Bishop Lungu Says
Bishop George Cosmas Lungu of Zambia's Chipata Diocese
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Months after gas attacks by unknown criminal gangs, injuries and deaths in the country, Chairman of Bishop Conference Bishop George Cosmas Lungu has urged Zambians to demand for answers for the recent unpleasant occurrences which seem unresolved and may worsen in the future.
“Time is now. We cannot wait any longer, in silence, for explanations and appropriate action. If we are to prevent something worse to happen other than the gassing, it is now we have to do something,” Bishop George Cosmas Lungu told AMECEA online in an interview on Thursday, June, 4.
Gas attacks that sparked widespread panic in Zambia early this year have since stopped but the Prelate’s wish is to ensure it is settled once and for all for the country’s continued peace.
“The gassing has stopped, thanks be to God!” Bishop Lungu of Chipata Diocese continued, “This, however, is not a guarantee that it will not be reignited in the future. It needs to be explored,” for peace to reign since “peaceful nations are loving nations.”
Recalling how the incidents began Rt. Rev. Lungu narrated, “What started as an isolated case in a small location on the Copperbelt sooner than later spread like bush fire to the rest of the country, instilling fear, anarchy and suspicion in the country.”
“Gassing became the vocabulary of the day, losing close to 50 lives in very disturbing circumstances witnessed by innocent children. Never before were our children exposed to such horrific scenes like the one witnessed during the gassing episode,” the Church leader bemoaned.
He wondered what has befell a nation which he terms has been “peaceful” saying, “Can anyone who until now hailed Zambians as ‘peace loving people’ explain why suddenly we became a mob of killers of innocent souls including old people? Why this sudden change?”
He lamented further, “Why were police posts targeted by communities forcing government to deploy military personnel? Why was it allowed to spread so quickly to other parts of the country? These are honest questions seeking honest answers which I am sure until now, we have not been provided with answers by the powers that be.”
“Leaving a sensitive issue hanging such as this one which destabilized people’s normal way of living, is not helpful and leaves us asking more questions for ages to come,” the Chairman of ZCCB since 2018 decried.
Explaining to AMECEA Online, Bishop Lungu related the incident to Pentecost day which was celebrated Sunday, May 31, on how “The life-giving Spirit breathed on the disciples to transform them from a group of cowards to fearless proclaimers of the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ the Risen Lord.”
“I was therefore reminding my fellow believers that our lives like that of our friends in the Upper Room, have been threatened by so many national issues robbing us of a decent human and peaceful existence. Issues include corruption, threats and intimidation, brutality of some irresponsible officers in the name of keeping law and order, political cadres terrorizing peace loving citizens and suppression of alternative voices,” the Bishop narrated.
Speaking on how the gassing affected families, the Local Ordinary of Chipata has been moved by the life of children who witnessed the incidences and were left in a daze.
“Families have remained traumatized (and) these things happened under the watchful eyes of their children, watching victims crying for help and no help came; stoned to death and torched…We have to teach the next generation about the sanctity of human life. Unfortunately, this will be passed on to the next generation,” he said.
Bishop Lungu connected what happened in Zambia to the current global pandemic saying, “The Covid-19 experience provides a “blue print” if we are to resolve our crises: that we mask all entry points of corruption, injustice and inequality; that we sanitize our governance systems to kill the virus that is at odds with our common good; and that we ensure social distancing from people who would like to make this country “a home for the rich but a furnace for the poor.”
