Bishop Banda is Being Illogical-Siliya

21 April 2011

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has said it is illogical for Ndola Diocese Bishop Alick Banda to oppose President Rupiah Banda’s directive to write off debts of some housing units for people on the Copperbelt.

And a staunch Catholic of Kitwe, Sydney Chisenga has described asunfortunate that Bishop Banda has down-played President Rupiah Banda’s housing empowerment gesturewhen the issue involves people who are not only MMD members.

Ms Siliya said in Lusaka yesterday that the church was known forsiding with the poor and marginalised and that it was illogical for Bishop Banda to criticise the government over the decision.

“As MMD it made sad reading that Bishop Banda is against the people.We are therefore, challenging Bishop Banda to stop hiding behind the pulpit and join politics. The economy is growing so we are sharing wealth. Bishop Banda is supposed to be on the side of the poor,” she said.

She said President Banda’s directive to write off debts of some housing units on the Copperbelt was in line with the MMD Government’spolicy on empowerment.

She said Government through the Ministry of finance and national planning had revised the procurement guidelines in favour of Zambians saying all these efforts were aimed at ensuringthat Zambians were empowered.

And Mr Chisenga said it was unfortunate that Bishop Banda could choose to down-play President Banda’s housing empowerment gesture when the issue involved people who were not only MMD members.

Speaking in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Chisenga said Bishop Banda’s comments were not only reckless but also exposed his true character of a heartless shepherd.

He said it was shocking that Bishop Banda had chosen to view the President Banda’s gesture with a negative attitude when the issue affected some people who were Catholics and belong to other political parties other the ruling MMD of housing empowerment.

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