‘Mpundu should not drag Catholic Church into politics’

By SANFROSSA MANYINDA  TELESPHORE Mpundu is being mischievous and trying to drag the Catholic Church into politics by demanding that Father Lastone Lupupa withdraws from pastoral over remarks he made last week, Christian Democratic Party president Danny Pule has said. Dr Pule said the former Catholic Archbishop should just shut up and leave Fr Lupupa alone, as his statement was sober and not injurious. He said it was high time Archbishop Mpundu came out clean and concentrated on supporting the UPND rather than tarnishing the image of the Catholic Church by dragging it into politics. This follows an outburst by Archbishop Mpundu over Fr Lupupa’s statement that it was better to rig elections than to allow evil politicians into State House. “Archbishop Mpundu is a spiritual man who ought to take such matters in a neutral manner. Let him leave Fr Lupupa alone and avoid politicking in the church,” he said. Dr Pule said Archbishop Mpundu, as an elderly person in the ministry was supposed to call Fr Lupupa and sit him down if there was something wrong in his statement unlike talking to him through the media. He called on Zambians to ignore Archbishop Mpundu and continue treating the Catholic Church with respect it deserved. And Kitwe Pastors Fellowship chairperson, Raddy Lewila said withdrawing Fr Lupupa would only affect those that benefitted from his preaching. Bishop Lewila said Fr Lupupa admitted his mistake that was why he withdrew it and apologised. Bishop Lewila was however quick to mention that the church did not support the sentiments he expressed but that one ought to be forgiven once they apologised. “What Father Lupupa did showed maturity and our role as a people in a Christian nation is to forgive him and not to withdraw him,” he said.