ZAMBIA: Archbishop-Elect Of Ndola Archdiocese Warns Police, Politicians to Respect the Church
Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Phiri the Archbishop of Ndola
Radio Icengelo
The newly appointed Archbishop of Ndola, Most Rev. Benjamin Phiri has condemned the storming of Holy Trinity Church in Masala and Divine Mercy Parish in Hillcrest by the Police last Sunday, who were searching for members of the opposition parties reported to be congregants at the two arishes.
The Archbishop-elect said Police and politicians must stay away from churches, arguing that the government owes the parishioners at Masala and Divine Mercy Parishes ran explanation of what happened.
He said the action by the police at the two Churches was an illegal action on the property of the Church.
“I am not happy about the whole situation, and I don’t want such a situation to repeat itself,” the Archbishop-elect for the newly created Archdiocese of Ndola said adding that he would engage the Government and the Head of State about what happened because it is a serious matter.
“If the authorities like to come on my premises and don’t even engage me, that shows the amount of disregard they have for me,” he said.
He has directed the priests in the Archdiocese not to allow any politician to visit and attend prayer services for political motivations, pointing out that politicians from both should stop abusing the church.
“No politician, whether opposition or not, whether head of state or former head of state, whether minister or former minister, should come and disturb us in our places of worship,” he said.
The Archbishop made the statement after celebrating a thanksgiving Mass following the elevation of Ndola to the status of an Archdiocese.
