THE ARCHDIOCESE of Lusaka has dismissed assertions by the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) media term that Archbishop Alick Banda commended President Hakainde Hichilema for his display of statesmanship during late Pope Francis’ recent funeral mass.
And the Archdiocese says a handshake, alone, with the President Hakainde Hichilema does not erase months, even years, of tension, antagonism, or political abuse directed at the Church and its leaders.
In a statement, the church said it is disturbed with the UPND’s deliberate twist of the Bishop’s words during that service.
“A disturbing trend that has emerged from the United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Team, the deliberate misrepresentation of Archbishop Alick Banda’s words during Mass for the late Pope Francis on Friday April 25th, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus.
“It is being widely circulated that the Archbishop “commended” President Hakainde Hichilema for his display of statesmanship”.
The Archdiocese clarifies that the above assertion is not only misleading but borders on a dangerous distortion of a sacred moment meant for praying and remembering the late Pope Francis.
“Let us be clear; at no point in his homily did Archbishop Banda issue a commendation.
“Yes, there was a handshake between him and the President, but a handshake, with absent sincere dialogue and contrition, is not a symbol of reconciliation; it is an empty gesture.
“A handshake alone does not erase months, even years, of tension, antagonism, or political abuse directed at the Church and its leaders. It is naive, or worse, deceitful, to present it as a seal of endorsement or a sign of political validation,” the statement reads.
It adds that Archbishop’s role, particularly during such solemn occasions, is not to play politics but to shepherd his flock and people of goodwill with spiritual nourishment and moral guidance.
“To twist his reverent homily into a political soundbite for partisan mileage is to dishonour both the office he holds and the sacredness of the moment. It is not only disrespectful to him personally, but it also misleads the public and undermines the Church’s nature and its spiritual authority”.
The Archdiocese adds that if the UPND truly wishes to be seen as reconciliatory, it should begin by ceasing the manipulation of truth for optics.
“True leadership is shown through humility, not propaganda. If there is contrition, let it be spoken not assumed. If there is reconciliation, let it be real not fabricated,” the statement reads.
There has been a seeming tiff between the governing UPND and Archbishop Banda especially after UPND secretary general Batuke Imenda made an offensive statement against the cleric.
In May 2023, Mr Imenda described Archbishop Banda as “the Lucifer of Zambia” who wants to take advantage of citizens by promoting the former governing Patriotic Front who gassed citizens, promoted bloodshed, divided the country.
(Mwebantu, Thursday, 1st May, 2025)
‘I never praised HH and I did not reconcile with him. The handshake was an empty gesture’- Archbishop Alick Banda
