Catholic Church rejects UPND’s plea to cancel Candlelight Prayers for Peace, prayers to go on
Catholic Church rejects UPND’s plea to cancel Candlelight Prayers for Peace, prayers to go on
THE CATHOLIC Church has rejected UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda’s call to cancel August 12 Candlelight Prayers for Peace.
In a statement issued by the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Lusaka Communications Office, the Church maintains that the prayers will go ahead as planned, saying the candlelight prayers form part of the ongoing Novena of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which commenced on August 6, 2026 and will conclude on August 14, 2026.
The Archdiocese says it has noted the concerns contained in a letter dated August 6, 2026 from the UPND Secretary General regarding the Candlelight Prayers for Peace scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
“We wish to state, unequivocally and without ambiguity, that the Candlelight Prayers for Peace will proceed as scheduled in all parishes across the Archdiocese of Lusaka,” the Church says.
The Archdiocese says its position is consistent with a communiqué issued by the Rector of the Marian Shrine, Fr. Felix Banda, dated August 4, 2026.
The communiqué, according to the Church, clearly explained that the proposed candlelight prayers are “purely spiritual” and intended to invoke God’s peace upon the nation throughout the entire electoral process.
“The prayers have no political connotations whatsoever and should neither be interpreted nor portrayed as supporting or opposing any political party, candidate, or interest group,” the Church says.
The Archdiocese further says the candlelight prayers form part of the ongoing Novena of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is being observed in every parish throughout the Archdiocese of Lusaka.
The Novena is also being broadcast daily by Radio Maria Zambia – Yatsani Voice.
The Church describes the Novena as “a longstanding devotional exercise of the Catholic faithful centred on prayer, repentance, hope and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Zambia goes to the polls on 13, August 2026.