The Editor Zambia
The Church occupies a respected and indispensable place in every democratic society because throughout history, religious leaders have spoken against injustice, defended the vulnerable, and reminded governments of their moral obligations.
That prophetic role deserves protection and respect. However, it is equally important that the Church remains above partisan politics and avoids becoming a platform for political mobilisation disguised as religious teaching. 
Recent statements by Archbishop Ignatius Chama, alongside similar remarks from Archbishop of Lusaka Alick Banda and Fr. Frank Bwalya Kabuswe, have once again raised concerns about whether some members of the clergy are venturing beyond their ecclesiastical calling into active political campaigning worse still tribal politics.
By portraying Zambia as a nation trembling in fear like the biblical Kingdom of Judah and suggesting that the country is steadily descending into violence, Archbishop Chama paints a picture that many citizens struggle to reconcile with realities on the ground.
While biblical metaphors can be powerful teaching tools, they should be supported by convincing evidence before they are used to characterise an entire nation.
It is also interesting to note that the three clergy mentioned above all hail from the North and Eastern clique. No sane Zambian should be fooled that they are speaking from the religious point of view, instead of a partisan podium where they are openly supporting the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance combination of North and Eastern ticket as initially espoused by former Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri that only a Northerner and Easterner led presidential ticket can dislodge President Hakainde Hichilema from office.
Public rallies are taking place, radio stations host vigorous political debates daily, newspapers publish differing opinions, civil society organisations remain active, and church leaders themselves continue to criticise government policies without censorship. These are hardly the characteristics of a country where freedoms have completely disappeared.
Ironically, even Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile recently acknowledged during a radio interview that his campaign team had generally conducted peaceful campaigns across the country.
Such an admission makes sweeping claims that Zambia is on the verge of collapse difficult to sustain.
It is totally agreeable that the tragic death of Nelson Chikumbi deserves condemnation and a thorough investigation. Every life lost through political violence is one too many, and justice must be allowed to take its course.
However, one criminal incident should not be presented as conclusive proof that an entire nation has become consumed by fear or that democratic institutions have ceased to function.
Mature democracies are judged not by the absence of crime but by the willingness of institutions to investigate wrongdoing and hold perpetrators accountable.
It suffices, therefore, for one to conclude that repeated pronouncements from Archbishop Chama, Archbishop Banda, and Fr. Kabuswe is an open campaign for Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance.
One can even go further to conclude again that the three clergy are doing this because of their personal hatred against President Hichilema.
Whether intentional or not, consistently presenting only one side of Zambia’s political landscape risks creating the perception that these church leaders have abandoned neutrality in favour of a partisan regional activism.
The Church’s mission is to unite people around faith, peace, and reconciliation but should caution against violence from every quarter and encourage peaceful participation in constitutional processes rather than employing language that may heighten political anxiety.
History demonstrates that fear, when constantly amplified by influential voices, can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Zambia has weathered difficult economic challenges, constitutional disputes, political transitions, and natural disasters without abandoning its democratic foundations.
And interesting enough, the three clergy have lived through these periods but chose to keep quiet, only to come out now just because someone they don’t approve is in charge.
The role of priests is to preach the Gospel, promote justice, and encourage peace, not to become participants in political contests, especially of a hegemonic nature.
The forthcoming election should be decided by voters after carefully assessing policies, leadership qualities, and performance, not through fear-inducing narratives or comparisons with ancient kingdoms facing destruction.
Religious leaders best serve democracy when they remain impartial guardians of morality instead of appearing to campaign, directly or indirectly, for particular political formations.
For the umpteenth purposes, it should be emphasised that Archbishop Ignatius Chama and Archbishop Alick Banda are high priests and should avoid issuing statesments that may promote divisions among Zambians.
