The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has expressed unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda and the Catholic faithful amid ongoing attacks on the Church’s mission.
In a statement, Saturday, the bishops condemned a summons issued to Archbishop Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit, scheduled for 5th January 2026.
They described the move as an attempt to silence his voice as Shepherd of the Lusaka Archdiocese and a member of the ZCCB.
The ZCCB noted that Archbishop Banda has faced repeated name-calling and state-sponsored persecution, which it views as an abuse of authority by the ruling party in response to his critiques on governance.
President of the ZCCB and Archbishop of Kasama, Ignatius Chama, reaffirmed the Church’s role as a beacon of faith, justice, and service in Zambia.
He stated that no effort to silence its prophetic voice would succeed and condemned all forms of intimidation and harassment against Church leaders.
Chama said such actions wound the “Body of Christ” and threaten the moral fabric and unity of the nation.
He emphasised that the Church must continue to speak truth to power and uphold the national motto of “One Zambia One Nation.”
The Archbishop further stated that it is morally wrong to use state institutions to persecute those who express dissent on governance issues, urging for dialogue and mutual respect instead.
Chama expressed the ZCCB’s full solidarity with Archbishop Banda and called on Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to pray for calm, peace, and unity ahead of the general elections.
He invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace, for the nation.
