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The Catholic Church in Zambia has banned political donations and the use of church premises for campaign activities, insisting that the pulpit must remain a place of prophetic truth, moral clarity, and national unity as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.
In a communiqué released on Saturday by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Church stressed that it will not allow politicians to use religious spaces or clergy for partisan advantage.
The bishops stated that the Church’s mission was spiritual and moral, not political, and must therefore remain free from influence, manipulation or endorsement by political players.
They emphasized that no clergy or lay leader should accept political donations and that church grounds must not be used as campaign venues, warning that those who compromise the Church’s neutrality risk undermining their sacred vocation.
The bishops expressed deep concern over the rising toxicity of political discourse in the country, recalling that in previous exhortations they warned against insults, tribalism and character assassination.
They noted that such behaviour continued to dominate the political space and urged political leaders to return to issue-based campaigns that focused on the real challenges affecting Zambians.
According to the communiqué, politicians must clearly articulate how they plan to address the rising cost of living, tackle the growing national debt, improve the energy sector, stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and unemployment, and foster unity in the face of persistent tribal tensions.
The bishops insisted that campaigns should be marked by honesty, clarity and civility, not hatred and bitterness, urging leaders to embrace dialogue, humility and respect.
The Church also renewed its call for voters to elect leaders of integrity, vision and moral uprightness. It appealed to citizens to reject individuals associated with corruption, tribalism, manipulation or abuse of power, arguing that Zambia’s future depended on leaders who prioritized the common good over self-interest.
The communiqué reminded voters that leadership was a moral responsibility and that the nation’s destiny would be shaped by the choices made at the ballot box.
Concerns over the misuse of public resources also featured prominently in the bishops’ message.
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They criticized the continued abuse of public media by ruling parties and reiterated that state-funded platforms such as the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation belonged to all citizens, not to those in power.
The bishops insisted that fair access to public media was essential for credible elections and warned that biased coverage undermined national unity and fuels division.
They urged journalists in both public and private media to uphold truth, fairness and professionalism, stating that sensationalism and misinformation posed a threat to peace and social cohesion.
The Catholic Church further called for active and informed participation from citizens, stressing that democracy thrived only when people remained engaged, vigilant and responsible.
It reminded Zambians, particularly the youth, that voting was both a right and a civic duty, and encouraged them to stay informed about national issues and to participate peacefully in the electoral process.
The bishops appealed to the nation to reject violence and apathy and instead embrace courage, patriotism and a commitment to building a just and united Zambia.
As the country moves closer to the 2026 general elections, the bishops urged political leaders and citizens alike to uphold peace, integrity and national unity, warning that the quality of leadership chosen in August will determine the direction of the nation for years to come.
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