PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu yesterday utilised the moment at the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches and official opening of the 31st General Conference of the Council of Churches in Zambia to attack the Church saying it is being political over dialogue. But Council of Churches in Zambia president Bishop Alfred Kalembo has told President Lungu that when the Church speaks, it does not mean they are political but they want justice and accountability to the people.

President Lungu, during the event at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola yesterday, said it was unnecessary for the Church and government to be hostile to each other.

“…We have a common purpose to serve the poor people. We have an onerous task to uplift the social status of our people hence ours is to complement each other. As government, we look forward to the Church to foster unity among the people of Zambia. The Church should be in the forefront sowing seeds of love and not discord. Zambia has seen the Church being at the helm of promoting peace and unity across political divides. It is therefore our hope that the church will continue to sow seeds of love, peace and unity,” President Lungu said.

“I’m saying this in light of what is going on. The Church wants to become political, but please don’t be political. We have an institution that we established ourselves in ZCID (Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue). So for the Church, come as Church not as politicians. Those of the Church that want to come into politics, come and we treat them as politicians. If ZCID has no capacity, come and put capacity in ZCID. The church should not be partisan. For the Church to be successful in building national unity, there is need to be above politics. The Church should be non-partisan, as it has been mandated by God to bring people from all walks of life to work together regardless of their persuasions.”

However, Bishop Kalembo said the Church was there to speak for the voiceless in society.

“For instance, at this general conference being officially opened today, we have special topics bordering on governance, topics on tax burden and increasing national debt. We promise to get back to you after the conference and provide feedback. Our prophetic role is to speak for the voiceless on issues we consider need the attention of those with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the nation. This may at times mean speaking what leadership needs to hear and what they want to hear. Therefore, even when we agree to disagree on certain issues, we still pledge our critical solidarity and engagement with you and your government. We will pray with you with our eyes open so that we can offer you guidance, healing and pastoral care,” Bishop Kalembo told President Lungu.

He said the Church was the salt of the world.

“We are the salt of the world, not the salt in a salt-cellar. We speak on issues that are not well and that does not mean we are political. We speak to ensure that there is prudent use of national resources for all. We call for you to lead the nation that will provide for all. Your Excellency, CCZ wants you to provide your concerns to the Church. To all political parties, please don’t shy away from us,” Bishop Kalembo said.

“Our role is to do justice to the government of the day and to the people of Zambia without discrimination, both when things are well and when they go wrong. I wish to assure you, your Excellency, that CCZ will always ensure to be above board while ensuring that we are not divorced from any sphere of life in Zambia; because we are the salt of the earth-not the salt in the saltcellar. We believe that as long as the salt remains in the cellar, it is not beneficial. Therefore, when we come out to speak on issues we feel are not in the right direction, it does not mean that we are being political. We are just being useful like the salt that comes out of the cellar.”

He said the Church wants to see accountable governance.

“We further pledge to continue working towards ensuring accountable governance both at national and institutional levels, rule of law, gender, justice and prudent utilisation of natural resources for the benefit of all citizens. We still call upon you your Excellency, to lead the nation in such a way that resources are made available for all. CCZ is an available platform where you can present all your concerns both as an individual and as Head of State. To all other political parties present, we extend our call to you not to shy away from us,” said Bishop Kalembo.