CATHOLIC Church Vicar General for Mansa Fr Mambwe Mpasa says Frank Bwalya is no longer a priest because he cannot be a priest and president of a political party at the same time.
“It is wrong for people to call him president Fr Bwalya because our Canon Law does not allow us to involve ourselves in politics up to that extent. We cannot hold political offices and at the same time be priests. And I think this is an impression that should be corrected. If he is a president, then he should ask the church to be freed from priesthood,” he said.
“What has he seen in politics that makes him leave the holy priesthood? What services is he going to offer to the people that he couldn’t in priesthood? What is it, which is better than being a religious leader? My heart really bleeds to lose such an energetic young man,” Fr Mpasa said.
“I just hope and pray that my brother has not overrated himself. I have seen people leaving the pulpit for politics who have proved to be failures. I hope my brother has done his homework and is not overrating himself. The popularity he had as a priest is different from what he is going to have as a politician. He might have had a lot of following because people thought he was promoting and preaching justice and peace for them and they followed him. I pray that he has not been cheated by a few, who told him to form a political party” said Fr Mpasa.
And Zambia Episcopal Conference president Archbishop Ignatius Chama says Ndola Bishop Alick Banda gave his position on Bwalya a long time ago. He said reference should be made to the statement that was given by Bishop Banda on Bwalya sometime back.
According to the memorandum dated August 29, 2011, Bishop Banda ordered Bwalya not to act or represent the Catholic Church in any way during his indefinite leave, and further asked him not to perform any priestly duties, wear priestly attire and to be away from the presbytery during his leave.
Bishop Banda said the church had consented to Bwalya’s request and granted him indefinite leave of absence.
Bishop Banda advised Bwalya to remain obliged and maintain his celibacy until the competent ecclesiastical authority determines a new way of life
But Fr Bwalya says he will marry when he becomes president if there will be need to do so “I cannot marry but when I become president or before I become president, if it becomes clear that I need to marry, I will make the decision at that time,” he said. “……I am sure when I am in State House there will be big headlines saying ‘president Frank Bwalya marries’.”
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