Clergyman backs State over Foote

A SENIOR clergyman has backed Government’s move to write to the United States to recall its Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote over his support for gay rights.

And the Patriotic Front (PF) says it is not shocked that United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema finds nothing wrong with foreigners’ calls for introduction of same sex marriages in Zambia. In an interview yesterday, Church of God Cathedral of Miracles presiding Bishop Naison Nyonyo said majority Zambians fear and support God’s creation and plan for mankind. “We are a Christian nation and cannot change that no matter how much aid we can be given by a foreign nation. We respect God and we value his image and his creation. No amount of money can change the people of Zambia to be used. “We are not animals and man cannot marry a fellow man. It is a taboo in the Bible and totally against God’s creation. Even Mr. Foote’s own leaders in America cannot allow that type of marriage. If he has somewhere else to go he can go and leave our nation alone. Let the people of this nation worship God because that is our way of life,” Bishop Nyonyo said. He said Mr. Foote must know that Zambians are God fearing and that he should leave Zambia as soon as possible. He said Government is correct to write to the American government to recall Mr. Foote and urged President Lungu to never tolerate nonsense. Bishop Nyonyo condemned Mr. Hichilema’s seeming support for Mr. Foote saying Zambians cannot trade their birthright with aid. Meanwhile, PF media director Sunday Chanda said Mr. Hichilema’s statement shared on his Facebook page shows that he is at pains trying to appease a well-known audience and for obvious reasons.