Council of churches joins EFZ to decline participation in proposed memorial for late president Lungu

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has become the second church organisation to distance itself from the planned national memorial activities for the late President Edgar Lungu, saying burial should take precedence.

Ealier, Zambia Monitor had reported that the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) had directed all its structures, affiliates, and member churches to stay away from proposed nationwide memorial activities for late President Edgar Lungu, citing moral and procedural concerns ahead of his burial.

Reverend Canon James Phiri, General Secretary of CCZ, said the Council had taken note of the proposed National Memorial activities being organized in honour of the late former President.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Phiri said the position of the church body was informed by the fact that late president Lungu had not yet been laid to rest.

Phiri said the Council’s considered view was that the nation’s immediate priority should be to facilitate a dignified, honourable, and mutually agreeable resolution to the outstanding matters surrounding the burial of the former Head of State.

He said memorial activities were more appropriately held after burial had taken place, and that holding them while burial issues remained unresolved was premature.

“CCZ wishes to clarify that it is neither participating in nor endorsing the proposed National Memorial activities. This position is informed by the fact that the late former President has not yet been laid to rest,” Phiri said.

He expressed deep concern that nearly a year after the passing of the former President, Zambia was yet to accord him a final resting place. It described the situation as unfortunate and regrettable.

“This situation is both unfortunate and regrettable, and continues to prolong the grief of the bereaved family as well as the nation’s desire for closure,” Phiri said.

He said the delay was prolonging grief for the Lungu family and denying the nation closure, calling the matter a national concern that required urgent resolution.

Phiri appealed to all parties involved to work towards a swift, amicable, and respectful resolution in the interest of the family, national unity, and the dignity of the office once held by late President Lungu.

“The Council therefore continues to appeal to all parties involved to work towards a swift, amicable, and respectful resolution of the matter in the interest of the family, national unity, and the dignity of the office once held by the late President,” he said.

Read More: ‘Morally inappropriate to hold memorial before burial,’ church group distances self from alleged Lungu memorial plans

In addition, Phiri called on Christians across the country to remember the Lungu family in prayer as the nation marks one year since the passing of the late former President.

He encouraged believers to offer prayers in their homes and wherever they may be gathered, asking God to comfort and strengthen the bereaved family.

“We further appeal to churches across the country to remember the family during Sunday worship services and to pray for wisdom, peace, and a swift, amicable, and dignified resolution to the matters surrounding the burial of the late former President, so that he may finally be accorded a proper and honourable burial,” Phiri said.

He concluded that resolving the burial impasse would allow the nation to move forward with healing while giving the late President the honour due to his office.

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