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| Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyemba, Bishop of Mongu |
Rt. Rev.Evans Chinyemba, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mongu, has urged the Catholic laity to always be on the forefront to speak out when national resources are being misused.
In his monthly address to his faithful through the diocesan monthly bulletin Banahaesu, under the theme Catholic lay faithful and their participation in the political life of a country, Bishop Chinyemba said that Catholic Christians who remain quiet when political power is being misused are neglecting their baptismal duty towards the attainment of a just society.
According to the Bishop, Catholics have a duty and responsibility to be actively involved in the country’s governance issues.
“If you cannot speak as a concerned laity who else will speak on your behalf; when power is misused and you remain silent, know that you are neglecting your duty as a lay faithful. When attempts to silence masses are made and you remain mute, you as laity you neglect your duty as a baptized person who is commissioned. To remain silent is to have sold ones conscience,” he said.
Bishop Chinyemba said, inspired by the Gospel and their political involvement, the laity have a duty to shed light on issues of justice, corruption, quality leadership, economic wellbeing, housing, education, health care, security, issues of youths and many other interventions that would help build a better Zambia.
He said that while there are Catholic politicians who try to discharge their duties well, sadly, some have compromised their faith and have neglected the spirit of service for political gain saying they chosen to lie in order to continue holding on to power at various levels.
He added that other bad examples of Catholic lay faithful have entered politics not to serve but to enrich themselves.
“Take your rightful place and present what is valuable to politics. I urge you to bring to the political field the values that make you a good Christian and a credible Catholic,” He urged.
Bishop Chinyemba said that Catholic Christians have a duty and responsibility to be actively involved in the country’s governance issues saying the Church leadership has clearly expressed such aspect at various forums and through some of its doctrinal documentation.
By Mwenya Mukuka, ZEC Communications Officer