Bishop in Zambia Calls for Responsible Use of Power as Colleague Summoned in Suspected “state-sponsored persecution”

Bishop Kasonde warned that resentment and jealousy can lead people to harm others, saying, “Sometimes we are ready to kill when we don't have. We are ready to make others suffer because we have missed the point.”

He emphasized the need for the people of God in Zambia “to engage in self-introspection,” describing the process as “part of the human condition, learning, growing, and exercising control over one’s actions.” 

“What is it that I am doing well? Stand by it. What is it that I am doing badly? Take responsibility for it and pledge to do better in life,” the Zambian-born Catholic Church leader said.

Further calling for sincerity and openness to God’s will, he said, “A person who is sincere is opened up to the will of God and also is opened up to change. But if you always consider yourself righteous, not needing the help of others, then you may not change. Let us always remain open to the will of God.”

Archbishop Banda was reportedly summoned on 31 December 2025 to appear before the DEC’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit on Monday, January 5, in relation to ongoing investigations into allegations that he received an unlawfully auctioned vehicle from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

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Members of the ZCCB have expressed their solidarity with Archbishop Banda and the Catholic Church in Zambia, following what they describe as “ongoing attacks against the Church’s mission and its leadership.”

They term the move by state authorities against Archbishop Banda as an attempt to silence his voice.

“We view this as an attempt to suppress his voice as a shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lusaka and a member of the ZCCB,” the Bishops stated in their statement circulated on Sunday, January 4.

Meanwhile, the Southern African nation’s DEC issued a statement on January 5 after Archbishop Banda honored the summons to appear before it, stating that it had “formally warned and cautioned” the Zambian Catholic Church leader.

The commission alleges that “on dates unknown, but between 22nd April 2021 and 27th December 2023,” the Archbishop “did have in his possession a motor vehicle, a Toyota Hilux, registration number ALF7734, property which is reasonably suspected to have been obtained from ZRA.”

“The public may wish to note that, when granted an opportunity to explain how he obtained possession of the said motor vehicle, Dr. Alick Banda chose to remain silent,” the January 5 DEC statement reads in part.

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.