MEMBERS of the clergy in Kitwe have overwhelmingly accepted that churches should have a self-regulatory framework that will standardize the running of churches and conduct of the clergy.
The Copperbelt-based members of the clergy, that met with National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili in Kitwe yesterday, welcomed the formation of a self- regulatory framework which they said would remove vices which some members had been engaging in.
Speaking on behalf of others, Kitwe Pastors Fellowship Pastor Rady Lewila told journalists after the meeting that the document would bring sanity and order in the way the clergy conducted their business.
“As you may know, there has been a lot of bad things that some ministers have engaged in, so the framework will curb bad practices,” Pastor Lewila said.
And Pastor Lewila said the church on the Copperbelt was in support of the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019.
He said the church felt the process of amending the constitution must continue so that Zambia could have the best constitution.
The clergyman said that the church would soon send representatives to Lusaka to make its submission on the process to the Parliamentary select committee.
However, Pastor Lewila said the church wanted some contents of the Bill to be amended.
He cited removing of the Christian Nation clause from the preamble into the main document as some of the contents of the bill that should be amended.
And during the meeting, Reverend Sumaili said government wanted the church to have a system in place to ensure that people were protected from false teachings.
“We need to protect our people, they are subjected to all manner of abuse especially the women and children,” she said
Reverend Sumaili said the church needed to have order and to be in good spiritual standing for it to hold government accountable.
She urged the church to have their voice heard in the constitution amendment process.
She said the church should sensitize its members that they could still make submissions on the constitution amendment process through the Parliamentary select committee.
The minister further prodded the church to make their contributions towards the construction of the National House of Prayers earmarked for Lusaka.
She also urged the members of the clergy to start preparing for this year’s National Day of Prayer and Fasting to be held on October 18.-ZANIS
