Catholic Archbishop in Zambia Cautions against “politicization of ethnic identities", Calls for Spiritual Solidarity

Lusaka, 01 October, 2025 / 12:15 AM

The Local Ordinary of Zambia’s Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka (ADL) has cautioned against what he describes as a growing “politicization of ethnic identities” in the Southern African nation.

In a Monday, September 29 statement, Archbishop Alick Banda warned that the vice poses a serious threat to national unity and to the values upon which Zambia was founded. 

“The current drive to politicize our ethnic identities constituting our nation and republic, aimed at establishing a hegemony inimical to our unity of purpose, will be resisted by every citizen of good conscience and will,” said Archbishop Banda in the one-page statement he addressed to the people of God under his pastoral care, whom he urged to pray for the nation.

He added, “I, therefore, in good conscience, wish to urge you all and ask that you find time in your communities and parishes to pray for our country, Zambia, through the intercession of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the messengers and defenders of the nation of Zambia.”

The Zambian Catholic Church leader reiterated the need to safeguard the ideals and spirit of unity of purpose on which the country was founded and for which it is renowned.

“Let us also pray for a spirit of dialogue and constructive engagement in national issues affecting our country,” he said in his appeal for prayer on September 29, the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the Archangels.

Archbishop Banda, who has been at the helm of the Zambian Metropolitan See since his installation in April 2018, called for an end to “divisive politics,” which he says have “beleaguered” the nation.

“Accordingly, on this Feast Day of the Holy Archangels, may God give us, collectively and severally, as a nation, the wisdom and grace of unity of purpose to listen to the cry of the poor and marginalized in our country,” he implored.