CATHOLICS REJECT HH’s 800,000
Fr Chifumbe said the context and manner in which the pledges were made risked compromising the Catholic Church’s long-standing position of political neutrality and inclusivity.
By Mast Reporter
THE Catholic Diocese of Mansa has rejected a donation of K800,000 from President Hakainde Hichilema towards the celebration of 120 years of the existence of Lubwe Catholic Mission in Chifunabuli District, Luapula Province.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the diocese yesterday, the church has also rejected the donation of 200 bags of mealie meal and two cows from Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Peter Kapala.
Kapala is aspiring to stand as Chifunabuli member of Parliament in the 2026 general elections under the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket and was the guest of honour at the fundraising event in Samfya District last Saturday where the donations were pledged.
“While the church values acts of generosity and goodwill, the Diocese of Mansa, guided by a sense of pastoral responsibility and ecclesial integrity, will not accept the aforementioned donations. This decision is informed not by ingratitude, but by a conscientious commitment to uphold the impartiality and moral authority of the Church,” Mansa Diocese vicar general Fr Felix Chifumbe said in the statement seen by The Mast.
Fr Chifumbe said the context and manner in which the pledges were made risked compromising the Catholic Church’s long-standing position of political neutrality and inclusivity.
He said the church leadership had not agreed on the donation despite the parish priest going ahead with the fundraising.
“The Diocese wishes to make it clear that the Bishop, Rt Rev Patrick Chisanga, OFM Conv, had expressly advised the parish priest against proceeding with the fundraising event until clarity was provided regarding the perceived partisan political overtones in its organisation. Regrettably, the event went ahead without the consent or blessing of the Bishop,” Fr Chifumbe said.
He said the office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Mansa had been receiving diverse and mixed reactions to the circulation of a report on various social media platforms concerning the fundraising event held on Saturday in Samfya.
The event was reportedly conducted in preparation for the 120th anniversary celebration since the establishment of the first Catholic Mission station at Lubwe, in the present day Chifunabuli District, scheduled for June 28.
“According to the report, it was publicly announced during the event that the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, pledged to contribute K800,000 towards the celebration. In addition, the Honourable Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Engineer Peter Kapala, aspiring candidate for the United Party for National Development [UPND] parliamentary seat for Chifunabuli Constituency, who was the guest of honour at the function – pledged 200 bags of 25kg mealie meal and two cows,” Fr Chifumbe said.
“The Diocese of Mansa reiterates its unwavering commitment to collaboration, dialogue and mutual respect with the government at both national and local levels. However, such cooperation must always be anchored in transparency, inclusiveness and the non-partisan character of the Church’s mission.”
He said the church’s vision of ‘Embracing everyone with the love of Christ’ requires that all diocesan activities, particularly those of a public or pastoral nature, remain open to all persons, regardless of political affiliation.
“Unfortunately, the organisation and execution of the said fundraising event were perceived to carry a partisan bias, thereby excluding many would-be participants and undermining the spirit of unity and communion that the church stands for,” Fr Chifumbe said.
“We urge all Catholic faithful and members of the public to remain vigilant and to continue to support the Church in ways that reinforce her prophetic voice. spiritual mission and social impartiality.”
He said it was the bishop’s wish that the forthcoming June 28 celebration be held in a deeply spiritual atmosphere of thanksgiving to God for the 120 years of Catholic witnessing to the Gospel of Christ and contributing to the integral good of the people of Luapula and Zambia at large.
