Catholic Bishops Warn: Nation Cannot Be Built on Lies and Intimidation…Zambia in a crisis in need of healing
Catholic Bishops Warn: Nation Cannot Be Built on Lies and Intimidation
…Zambia in a crisis in need of healing
By Staff Reporter
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“The nation cannot be built on lies, corruption, and intimidation, but only on truth, justice and service,” they (Catholic Bishops) reiterated, echoing their 2004 appeal for integrity.
30th September 2026
LUSAKA — Zambia’s Catholic Bishops have issued a blistering pastoral statement condemning the deteriorating state of democracy, following the unprecedented arrest and overnight imprisonment of Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda, the nation’s most senior Catholic leader.
Meeting in an extraordinary plenary session on 29th September, eight bishops of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) led by Archbishop Ignatius Chama of Kasama declared:
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3), warning that the country’s democratic pillars are crumbling under political polarization, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests.
The bishops linked the growing tension to the disputed general elections of 13th August, which they said had eroded public confidence in democratic institutions. “Public confidence in elections is essential to the legitimacy and stability of democratic institutions,” they stressed.
Their statement catalogued a litany of concerns: manipulation of tribal identities, narrowing of space for free expression, harassment of opposition parties, and the weakening of the rule of law.
“No political interest, party loyalty, ethnic identity or exercise of power can justify the violation of human dignity or the taking of innocent life,” the bishops declared.
They condemned the presence of military personnel in civilian spaces and reports of excessive force, warning: “Every human life is sacred and must be protected.”
Quoting Isaiah 10:1, the bishops reminded leaders: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees.”
They urged political actors to place the common good above partisan interests and citizens to resist provocation, tribalism, and the misuse of social media to misinform and insult.
The bishops called for urgent national dialogue, electoral reforms, civic education, and protection of civil society and media freedoms.
“The nation cannot be built on lies, corruption, and intimidation, but only on truth, justice and service,” they reiterated, echoing their 2004 appeal for integrity.
Despite the gravity of their warnings, the bishops sought to inspire hope: “Let us therefore refuse despair. Let us choose dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over revenge, truth over falsehood, justice over impunity, and solidarity over division.”
As Zambia reels from the arrest of its most prominent church leader, the bishops have positioned themselves as the moral conscience of the nation, insisting that democracy must not be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.
Recently, concerns had on Zambia’s democratic credentials, after the 13 August poll have come from the European Union, AU, SADC, AI, LAZ, Mo Ibrahim Foundation and the UN to mention but a few.
Concerns also abound regarding the continued detention of leading opposition leader Brian Mundubile and vice Makebi Zulu currently being held in Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe some 150kms north of Lusaka.
Major Concerns Raised by the Catholic Bishops
• Rising political polarization undermining dialogue and cooperation.
• Manipulation of ethnic identities and tribal sentiments for political gain.
• Citizens living in fear over security, employment, and freedom of expression.
• Narrowing space for independent media, civil society, and dissenting voices.
• Credibility of elections questioned after the disputed August 13 polls.
• Weakening of rule of law and independence of governance institutions.
• Harassment and arrests of opposition parties and political actors.
• Spread of intimidation, political violence, and cadreism.
• Anxiety over constitutional provisions on presidential terms.
• Reports of arbitrary arrests, military presence in civilian spaces, and excessive force leading to loss of civilian lives.
Source: Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB)
Signed:
Most Rev. Ignatius Chama Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde
Archbishop of Kasama & ZCCB Pre Bishop of Solwezi & ZCCB Rt. Rev. George Lungu
Bishop of Chipata
Rt: Rev.‘Clement Mulenga, SDB
Bishop of Kabwe
Rt. Rev. Patrick Chisanga, OFM Conv Rt. Rev. Edwin Mulandu
Bishop of Mansa Bishop of Mpika
Rt. Rev. Raphael Mweempwa
Bishop of Monze
Rt. Rev.Gabriel Msipu Phiri
Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata
Millennium TV Zambia