Catholic Diocese in Zambia Issues Directives on Donations from Politicians Ahead of 2026 Polls

Lusaka, 27 November, 2025 / 6:18 PM

Zambia’s Catholic Diocese of Mpika has issued directives barring the people of God within the ecclesial jurisdiction from receiving gifts from politicians or their representatives as the country approaches the general elections.

In a Wednesday, November 26 statement, the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese says the directive “is intended to safeguard the integrity, neutrality, and prophetic witness of the Church” during the electioneering period it describes as “sensitive.”

“As we approach the general elections, no Parish, lay association, institution, choir, ministry, or Church-related body shall receive gifts, whether monetary or in kind,” the statement addressed to the Clergy, the women and men Religious and the Lay faithful reads in part.

In the one-page statement issued following their November 25-26 meeting and in harmony with the resolutions adopted by the Diocesan Pastoral Council on November 20, the Presbyteral council says the directive takes “immediate effect.”

“The Church must remain a non-partisan moral voice and must not be associated with any political influence or favour,” it states, emphasizing that the guideline is “binding on all pastoral agents and communities” within the Episcopal See.

It also bars politicians and their representatives from giving “donations to the Church in Mpika Diocese,” emphasizing that they are “strictly forbidden” from doing so during the campaign period.

The Southern African nation is scheduled to hold its general elections on 13 August 2026, when eligible citizens are expected to vote to elect the president, members of the National Assembly, councillors, and council chairpersons.

In December 2020, members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops  (ZCCB) cautioned politicians in the country against the offering of gifts to Church members including the Clergy intending to lure them into partisan politics.

“We do not support any calculations to draw the Church into partisan politics, even by being offered gifts of one kind or another,” the Secretary General of the ZCCB, Fr. Cleophas Lungu said at the time, before the 2021 general elections.

He added, “the Church is very committed to ensuring that our esteemed political leaders do not abuse the Church and draw it into partisan politics.”

Meanwhile in their November 26 statement the Presbyteral Council of the Mpika Diocese urge the people of God to continue praying for the country as it prepares for the upcoming elections.

The council also calls on the to remain steadfast in promoting peace and moral integrity during the electoral period.

“We encourage all the faithful to continue praying for peaceful, transparent, and credible elections, while upholding our Christian values of justice, truth and the common good,” the statement reads.