By MILDRED KATONGO  –
GOVERNMENT has urged the church to speak out against wanton acts by some people in the habit of demeaning the office of the President by issuing indecent and disrespectful remarks.

. Kambwili

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili noted that of late, some people especially those in opposition political parties were issuing derogatory remarks  against President Edgar Lungu for no justifiable cause.
He said the church should not sit back while the President was being insulted by some people in society but should instead speak against such acts.
“The church should not only fold its arms but rise to the occasion by speaking against the acts and pray for those people insulting the President so that they are forgiven for their acts, for they do not know what they are doing, as the Bible says,” he said.
Mr Kambwili, who is Chief Government spokesperson, was speaking when he officiated at the launch of the St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church’s Golden Jubilee under the theme, ‘Glorifying God through stewardship, talent and prayer’, in Luanshya yesterday.
Mr Kambwili said Government was not opposed to criticism but people criticising it should be decent and sincere in their comments on national issues.
He said there had been some unfounded and unjustified criticism against Government from people on many issues pertaining to the current power outages.
Mr Kambwili said Government was working hard to reverse and address challenges being faced through various measures in the short and long term.
“As Government, we have said, and will say it again that the low water levels we have suffered this year are not man made, this is a natural calamity, however Government is working hard to address the challenges.
“It is therefore, Government’s humble appeal to the church to help disseminate these issues to the general public,” he said.
He said Government values the immense contribution of the Catholic Church in improving the living standards of citizens in various spheres of life.
“Government under the leadership of his Excellency President Edgar Lungu values the immense contribution of the Catholic Church in various spheres of life among them education, health and community service,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said that since Zambia was declared a Christian nation, it was anchored on the principle of good stewardship through the use of various talents that God had provided to all.
He said the church continues to be a key partner in the management of peace, justice and good governance in the communities.
Mr Kambwili urged the church to continue praying for the people and leadership of the nation in order to move the country to higher levels of prosperity, peace and unity.
St Charles Borromeo Parish priest Bernard Kapembwa said that the launch of the St Charles Boromeo golden jubilee symbolised the unity and a praying community that existed in the country.
Father Kapembwa said that the event was a great moment that defined a great future to come for the congregation.