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Catholics Threaten to Withdraw Social Services
The Catholic Church has threatened to withdraw from health, education and other social programmes if government does not reverse its decision on taxing donations.
The church complained that taxing of donations by the PF government was ill advised and not in public interest as it would directly affect the fight against poverty among poor people mainly in rural Zambia.
ZEC president Archbishop Ignatius Chama said that the church will have no option but to disengage from offering social services if government did not reverse its decision on Statutory Instrument (SI) 103 on taxing donations which had become law.
Archbishop Chama said the implementation of this policy decision in their view was punishing the majority poor who were the beneficiaries of the services offered by the Church and other charity institutions.
He said,“If the decision on SI 103 is not reversed, it will be impossible to offer social services as the Church is doing now. Therefore as ZEC, it is regrettable that we may be forced to disengage from offering social services such as health, education, vocational training, home based care and hospices due to diminished capacity occasioned by the implementation of SI 103. The implication of this is that the poor who are the main beneficiaries of the services of the Church will suffer as they will be deprived of essential social services provided by donations from overseas through local charities”.
He advised that government must endeavour to work to promote the common wellbeing of all the people and urged government to seriously reconsider reinstating the previous procedure which provided appropriate criteria for clearance.
Archbishop Chama said that If the decision on SI 103 was not reversed, it would be impossible to offer social services as the Church was doing now.
“The implication of this is that the poor who are the main beneficiaries of the services of the Church will suffer as they will be deprived of essential social services provided by donations from overseas through local charities. We urge the Government to seriously reconsider and reinstate the previous procedure which provided appropriate criteria for clearance,” he said.
And Archbishop of Lusaka Teresphore Mpundu told the media briefing that over 50 percent of the rural population would be directly affected if the church withdrew its services on the ground that government has attached difficult conditions on the services.
Posted by Editor
on January 25, 2014. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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leon
January 25, 2014 at 9:36 am
more money for facebook bundle
Kenneth Kaunda Obama Mbewa
January 25, 2014 at 10:07 am
I think the Church today has lost direction hence such decisions by the ruling party, ministers of the word of God have become too lavish in their living today. look at the types of cars they drive, the phones and the leisure they engage in at the expense of the poor. hear pastors/preacher-men speak carelessly about the poor that they are not serious with their God. and when you look at such you really think twice whether truely these things are for the poor or otherwise.
silungwe dinga
January 25, 2014 at 10:27 am
its about time the church do somethng
THE GENERAL HK
January 25, 2014 at 10:44 am
The correct english is ‘its about time the church DID something.
kayula
January 25, 2014 at 10:57 am
let them go ahead after all the govt contributes to those institutions. we suported PF but this does not mean THE GOVT SHUD DANCE TO OUR BEATS. just pay tax i pay K1800 monthly
Jangjawed
January 25, 2014 at 4:04 pm
It is just a way of blocking well wishers who want to fund opposition parties.
chama mulunga.
January 25, 2014 at 4:22 pm
MULETASHA , BANGA KATOLIKA ASAMBILISHA ?
gunda
January 25, 2014 at 5:18 pm
just turn back the time!i thot u were partners with pf?
Village Chicken
January 25, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Remember Sata stage managing his appearances for Sunday Services. The real serpent has now completed its exidisis and is brand new in true colours.
Kayla
January 25, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Not a good move by the government but I should also say that sometimes this previldge was abused by some organizations by buying expensive vehicles!! Chanda Chimba knows the culprits.
yongwe
January 25, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Kenneth you are right. One question I keep asking my self is, ” If Jesus Christ did come to earth today,would he lead such a lavish life style like our ministers in most churches?” indeed they have lost direction and the Gospel all together.
wiseman
January 26, 2014 at 11:12 am
the tax exemption privilege was highly abused.social service is bibilical and does not require government support.respect this decision its in good faith.
Trixy
January 27, 2014 at 11:23 am
@ Kayula..I pay more tax to the Government than that but that should not make you think the Government has a right to tax churches, especially the Roman Catholic church. If they insist, then let them carry out a survey (if this is practical) and let them tax the real cuplrits. You will find that most pentecoastal churches are culprits. They are the ones who are living lavish lifestyles at the expense of the poor. As for the roman catholics, this church has been our partner from time in memorial. How many schools has the roman catholic built? How many orphanages? They go right in the bush where a pentecoastal pastor cannot go because they want to be in town showing off their hammers and prados. As for this Government, sometimes I think they are too desperate for money. They are short of checking our bank accounts and coming in our homes to see what goods we have so that we can pay a certain percentage to the Government!