ZAMBIA: Bishop of Chipata Vows to Pray for Critics, Not Retaliate Against Insults Over Electoral Pastoral Letter
Staff Reporter, Radio Maria Chipata Diocese
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata, Rt. Rev. George Cosmus Zumaire Lungu says the Catholic Church will not retaliate against individuals who insult the Church and its leadership but will instead pray for them.
Responding to a video clip that recently circulated on social states that the Catholic Church will not retaliate against individuals who insult the Church and its leadership,media in which an individual verbally attacked Catholic bishops, Bishop Lungu said that as long as the pastoral letter issued by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) ahead of the 2026 general elections is anchored on unity, peace, and justice, the Church will not be shaken by insults.
He noted that some individuals have resorted to name-calling, including referring to bishops as “idiots,” but emphasized that the Church will not retaliate against such attacks.
“We will not retaliate against those insulting us. We will pray for them,” Bishop Lungu said.
He added that the Catholic Church remains firm in its mission, stating that anyone who attacks the Church misses it all.
Bishop Lungu observed that in the past, some people labelled Archbishop Alick Banda as “Lucifer,” and that today similar individuals are calling the bishops “idiots” for standing up for peace and justice.
He explained that the ZCCB pastoral letter was written to promote unity, peace, and justice, and to condemn any form of violence as the country approaches the 2026 general elections.
He stressed that the Church will not be intimidated by insults as long as its message continues to preach peace, unity, and justice.
Bishop Lungu was speaking during the Mass with the local priests (diocesans) held in Petauke District on Tuesday.
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