Church bans pastor-turned-MP over politics
By a Correspondent
WINNING Lusangazi independent member of Parliament Dr Clement Mwanza has been dismissed from conducting church services in the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) for participating in active politics.
Dr Mwanza, a former vice synod moderator, lost his pastoral licence for breaching the church’s constitution by actively engaging in politics.
A resolution to ban him from doing ministerial work was reached during the 34th RCZ Synod Council meeting held in Katete from 2 to 5 September.
RCZ synod moderator Reverend Ackson Banda said Dr Mwanza breached Article 43 of the church’s constitution by failing to resign before entering active politics.
Rev Banda said the constitution explicitly forbade pastors from engaging in active politics.
He said the consequence for any pastor who did so without resigning was immediate removal from the pulpit.
“Dr Mwanza remains a member of the church, but has been recalled from the pulpit and barred from participating in any role within church institutions,” Rev Banda said.
The synod also dismissed two other reverends for various breaches of the church’s constitution and doctrine.
“Withdraw the ordination certificate and practising licence in the RCZ from reverend Kachinga Kalumba following his resignation from the pastoral ministry. Dismiss reverend Caxton Phiri from pastoral ministry in the RCZ. Dismiss reverend Dr Clement Mwanza from pastoral ministry in the RCZ for abrogating Article 43 by joining active politics,” the resolution notice reads in part.
The council also turned down an appeal from Rev Allan Sakala, who was seeking re-admission to RCZ’s ministry following his earlier resignation.
The notice indicates that all the named clerics remain members of the church but are barred from performing any pastoral role in any congregation or church institution.
