GOVT HAS BETRAYED CHRISTIANS
…Sumaili condemns cancellation of October 18 National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation
By Thandizo Banda
FORMER national guidance and religious affairs minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili has described government’s cancellation of the October 18 National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation as a serious betrayal of Christians.
The day was cancelled in consultation with some church mother bodies and merged with the commemoration of the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation on December 29.
Commenting on the decision, Rev Sumaili said it was an affront to God and the Christian faith.
“The cancellation of the 18th October National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation by government in consultation with some church mother bodies is a serious betrayal to Zambian Christian believers,” she said.
She said October 18 was not just a public holiday but a sacred day where the nation humbled itself before God in repentance and reconciliation.
Rev Sumaili said abolishing it for any reason amounted to telling God that Zambia no longer needed Him.
She wondered which Christian church, the church mother body leaders consulted to recommend the cancelation of the day.
“We do not know who those church mother body leaders consulted, which is why Zambia’s identity, values and aspirations have been taken away,” she said.
Rev Sumaili said it was imperative that the government should have exercised the utmost responsibility before making a move on such a critical matter of public interest.
She said it was also misleading to merge October 18 with December 29, as the two days had completely different spiritual needs and meanings.
Rev Sumaili said October 18 was a solemn day of repentance, fasting and seeking forgiveness, while December 29 was a day of celebrating Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation.
“I am wondering how a day of weeping and repentance could be combined with a day of celebration. This move shows a lack of spiritual understanding by those involved,” Rev Sumaili said.
She said the move had an impact on Christian believers and should be condemned by all citizens.
