Lusaka, 27 November, 2025 / 6:18 pm (ACI Africa).
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.
