Divisive churches slammed

GOVERNMENT is dismayed with the behaviour by some church mother bodies abusing freedom of expression by insulting people instead of promoting peace and harmony.

GOVERNMENT is dismayed with the behaviour by some church mother bodies abusing freedom of expression by insulting people instead of promoting peace and harmony.

Ministry National Guidance and Religious Affairs Permanent Secretary, Reverend Howard Sikwela, said the church was supposed to be an anchor of peace but was dividing the nation.

Rev Sikwela said the church mother bodies had many times been insulting people in various fora which was sending a wrong message to their members.

He said during a dialogue with various church mother bodies yesterday in Lusaka, the people of Zambia were looking forward for the church to unite the country instead of bringing confusion.

Rev Sikwela said the church was key in fostering peace and should not be bringing confusion in the country.

"The church must be the anchor of peace and unity and not divide the nation in the name of freedom of speech.

Some church mother bodies are abusing the freedom expression to insult others, this is very wrong because we are sending a bad picture to the society," he said.

Rev Sikwela however said the country would next year be going to the polls and people were looking to the church to foster peace and unity in the nation.

He called upon the church to play a critical role in ensuring peace and unity reign before, during and after elections.

The country, he said, is looking to you for guidance to ensure peace and tranquility in the nation from now until 2021.