SOME members of the Catholic Church have petitioned Pope Benedict XVI to remove Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu as head of the Roman Catholic Church in Zambia for allegedly bringing the name of the Church into disrepute.In a letter of petition presented to Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli yesterday, some Catholic Church members from Chainda and Kamanga Parish called for the immediate removal of Archbishop Mpundu for issuing alarming statements in the press, which they said have tarnished the image of the Catholic Church.
They have also called on the Pope to issue a public apology on behalf of the Catholic Church over Archbishop Mpundu’s stand towards Government.
The concerned Church members have further asked the Vatican to restore the relationship that the Catholic Church and Government used to enjoy over the years to enhance development in the country.
Group spokesperson Edmond Zulu said some Catholic members are concerned with the statements that Archbishop Mpundu and other senior members of the Catholic Church are issuing, which he said have brought the name of the Church into disrepute.
“We, the undersigned, who are concerned members of the Catholic Church in Zambia have been following with keen interest the unfolding developments within the church and its relations with the Government and opposition political parties.
“It is worrying to note that for some time now, some senior members of the Catholic Church, including Fathers and Bishops, have been issuing alarming remarks in public, bringing the name of the Church into disrepute,” he said.
Mr Zulu said some Catholic members are dismayed, especially with the recent remarks in the press attributed to Archbishop Mpundu, whom he accused of dragging the Catholic Church into his personal fights with the political leadership.
Mr Zulu said it is wrong for the Archbishop of Lusaka to drag the Church into his personal beliefs and family fights as this undermines its integrity.
“It is disheartening that in recent times, we have observed, and sadly so, the emergence of a few misplaced and disgruntled church leaders who have seized the opportunity to use the Holy Church to further their own shadowy agendas.
He said Archbishop Mpundu should be removed as head of the Catholic Church in Zambia because his high moral and spiritual standing has become questionable.
“With the foregoing, it has become clear that Archbishop Mpundu no longer holds the position of high moral and spiritual standings that is expected of him…this means that his continued mandate to preside over millions of faithful Catholics is questioned,” Mr Zulu said.
Earlier, Ambassador Nicola Girasoli refused to receive the petition until police came to provide security.
Mr Zulu expressed confidence that all the concerns raised in the petition will be presented before Pope Benedict.
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SOME members of the Catholic Church have petitioned Pope Benedict XVI to remove Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu as head of the Roman Catholic Church in Zambia for allegedly bringing the name of the Church into disrepute.Mr Zulu expressed confidence that all the concerns raised in the petition will be presented before Pope Benedict.