A pastoral letter that must be heard: Bringing the Bishops’ call home to the people
…The Bishops pose a hard but necessary question: If a candidate has a history of tribalism, corruption, manipulation, or division, can such a person be truly entrusted with the future of our nation?
By Elvis Ng’andwe
AS ZAMBIA approaches the August 2026 General Elections, the Catholic Bishops of Zambia have once again spoken with clarity, courage, and moral authority. Their Pastoral Letter of 30 January 2026, titled “A Renewed Call for Peace, Justice, Unity, and Integrity”, is not an abstract theological text. It is a direct intervention into our national life, addressed to “brothers and sisters in Christ and people of goodwill,” and meant to shape how we think, act, and vote .
At a time when political noise is high but political substance is thin, this letter stands out as a moral compass for the nation.
Why this letter matters: The Bishops situate the 2026 elections as a decisive crossroads, asking whether Zambia will “move forward in building a society rooted in peace, justice, and unity, or allow ourselves to drift into division, indifference, and manipulation.” This framing matters because it reminds citizens that elections are not just about power, but about the kind of country we are becoming.
Crucially, the Bishops insist that hope is not passive. Citing Romans 15:13, they remind us that hope “is the fuel that empowers us to act, to build, to renew.” In other words, faith without civic responsibility is incomplete.
Politics reclaimed as a moral vocation: One of the strongest interventions in the letter is the Bishops’ insistence on the true meaning of politics. They reject the idea that politics is merely a contest for power or self-interest. Instead, they state plainly that politics is “a noble and difficult calling, a vocation of service to the human family.”
They remind both leaders and citizens that “the authentic purpose of political life is to serve the common good,” defined as “the sum total of social conditions which allow people… to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily.” This matters deeply in a Zambia where politics is too often reduced to slogans, insults, and personality clashes, while ordinary people struggle with the high cost of living, unemployment, debt, and inequality.
The Bishops warn political leaders to resist “corruption, manipulation, and the use of power merely for self-preservation or ideological purity.” This is a direct challenge to politics driven by survival, not service.
Elections as a moral duty, not a favour: The letter is unambiguous, voting is not optional. It is “a moral act, a duty to the common good.” Drawing from Micah 6:8, the Bishops describe voting as one way we “do justice” for “the poor, the voiceless, and future generations.”
They strongly caution citizens against selling their vote or being manipulated by “fear or tribal loyalty.” In Zambia’s context, where handouts, intimidation, and ethnic appeals have increasingly entered political campaigns, this warning could not be timelier.
Citizens are called to be informed, reflective, and courageous, not desperate or distracted.
A demand for credible elections and responsible institutions: The Bishops reaffirm that “a peaceful election must be preceded by a transparent and credible process.” They emphasise transparency at every stage, registration, nominations, campaigning, voting, counting, and transmission of results.
They once again urge the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to act with “independence, professionalism, and impartiality,” reminding all political actors that electoral rules are “not optional guidelines but binding expectations.” This speaks directly to growing public anxiety about fairness, trust, and institutional credibility.
Campaigns must be about issues, not insults: The Bishops explicitly reject toxic politics. They warn that “we cannot build a united Zambia if we tear each other apart during campaigns.” Instead, they call for issue-based campaigns, demanding that politicians clearly explain:
- How they will address the rising cost of living
- How they will manage national debt responsibly
- How they will improve the energy sector and economic sustainability
- What concrete steps they will take to tackle poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment
- How they will promote unity and resist tribalism
This section speaks directly to the current political reality where opposition fragmentation, recycled rhetoric, and personal attacks have replaced serious policy debate. The Bishops are effectively telling politicians: stop wasting people’s time.
The church is not a campaign platform: The letter firmly reiterates that the Church “must never be a mouthpiece for any political party or candidate.” Church premises must not be used for campaigns, clergy must not accept political inducements, and the pulpit must remain “a place of prophetic truth and moral clarity, not political opportunism.”
This clarity protects both the integrity of the Church and the conscience of believers.
Choosing leaders of character and vision: The Bishops remind the nation that “the quality of leaders we elect will determine the kind of Zambia we build.” They urge voters to choose leaders who:
- Love Zambia and serve selflessly
- Are committed to fighting corruption and tribalism
- Protect the dignity of every Zambian
- Are honest, competent, and morally upright
They pose a hard but necessary question: if a candidate has a history of “tribalism, corruption, manipulation, or division,” can such a person “be truly entrusted with the future of our nation?”
A direct call to citizens and to the opposition: This letter is not addressed to politicians alone. It calls on every citizen, especially the youth, to rise “not in violence or apathy, but with vision, courage, and unwavering commitment.”
At the same time, the message implicitly challenges opposition political actors to get serious. Zambians deserve credible alternatives, not endless infighting, recycled candidates, or opportunistic alliances. Democracy is weakened when voters are forced to choose between poor options.
If politics is truly about the common good, then offering credible leadership choices is not a favour, it is a duty.
Conclusion: A call that must be heeded
The Bishops conclude with a powerful reminder: “Let no one divide us by tribe, region, or party. We are One Zambia, One Nation, One People.” This pastoral letter is not neutral commentary. It is a call to conscience, a summons to maturity, and a roadmap for peaceful, principled participation in the 2026 elections.
To ignore it would be to ignore both faith and reason. To heed it is to take responsibility for Zambia’s future.
