-State ready to partner with church-Kabimba

——Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba says government has the desire and commitment to partner with the church in addressing the many challenges being faced by the general citizenry in the country.

He also said government recognizes the pivotal role that the church plays in the quest to promote holistic social and economic development of the people.

Mr. Kabimba, who is also Patriotic Front Secretary General said this when he officiated at the United Church Synod Executive Meeting held at the Diakonia Centre in Kabwe.

It is apparent that the prevailing cordial relations between government and the church in Zambia, dates back as far as independence.  

Mr  Kabimba observed that it was imperative that both government and the church continue nurturing cordial relations and take every opportunity to consult and engage one another on critical issues of social and economic development.

Mr. Kabimba said the state shall not attempt to interfere in the spiritual and administrative affairs of the church, [that is] if the church desists from acting as an agent or spokesperson of one group against another in the political arena or play the role of judge in non-spiritual matters.

He further advised that Instead  the church must only offer moral and spiritual guidance by engaging the state and other parties directly and not always through the news media. 

“As moral conscience of our nation, the church must manifest impartiality and objectivity at all times in its comments in matters of good governance,”  he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to ZANIS in an interview, United Church of Zambia Synod Bishop, Mutale Mulumbwa, said the church is  ready to partner with government in addressing key matters to do with the country’s socio-economic development.

Bishop Mulumbwa reaffirmed that the two entities have had an overwhelming partnership in developmental matters and that the relationship has overwhelmingly prevailed through all preceeding governments and now with the incumbent Patriotic Front government.

“We have had nice times with government, since the Kaunda era [up to date] and I should confess that it is not at all times that we agree with each other, as at times we differ in the way we look at things, however, in-a-nutshell, we have the same goals and objectives.”