The Vatican's ambassador to Zambia and Malawi said the church in Africa should avoid partisan politics and stick to defending human rights.Archbishop Nicola Girasoli said that politics belong to politicians and civil society.
"We all know that human rights are not negotiable -- we can negotiate everything except human rights," he said.
"In social issues, the church should be the guardian of human rights, avoiding any kind of involvement in partisan political debates," he said.
Archbishop Girasoli, who has served as the Vatican ambassador in the two countries since 2006, said he is happy with the relationship between the church and most governments in Africa, particularly in Zambia.
"All institutional personalities at all levels in Zambia continue to acknowledge the great support that the Catholic Church offers to all Zambians, regardless of their religious affiliations, especially in the sectors of health and education," the archbishop said.
The archbishop noted the Catholic Church helps the needs of African society by running hospitals, clinics, hospices and schools, especially in the rural, remote areas of the continent.
"The Catholic Church is one of the major partners of African governments in health and education development. They both have one common purpose -- to serve the people, although in a different way," he said.
The archbishop said church and government officials must discuss differences that might arise, but he cautioned that the church must always uphold the voice of the voiceless.
"The poor as individuals and as people are never a burden," he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the current global financial crisis called for nations to model their behavior according to the principles of fraternity and responsibility.
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