. Lungu

By JAMES KUNDA –
PRESIDENT-ELECT Edgar Lungu has announced plans to create a ministry specifically dedicated to handle affairs of religion in the next five years of his tenure of office.
Mr Lungu said the move was aimed at encouraging the participation of Christians in politics to overcome the elements of tribalism and violence in the political arena.
The Head of State said this in Lusaka yesterday when he graced the reception service for the election of Sydney Sichilima as the Synod Bishop of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ).
Bishop Sichilima was formerly UCZ Copperbelt Presbytery Bishop, and his election to the new post was commemorated yesterday at UCZ St Andrews Congregation in Woodlands.
Mr Lungu said as soon as the petition contesting his victory in this month’s elections was resolved by the Constitutional Court and his five-year mandate of office commenced, he would create the Ministry for Religion.
“I am going to create a Ministry for Religion. I don’t know what we will call it, but as soon as the court process is done and the outcome I pray is favourable, I will move to create this stand-alone ministry.
“I am saying so because I feel that the belief shared by Christians in the Church should be translated to the political arena to promote tolerance and a divergence of views,” Mr Lungu said.
He said all political players should exhibit humane treatment for one another, including the people upon whose affairs they wished to preside.
Mr Lungu said he would visit all the provinces where the Patriotic Front (PF) scored poor results in the just-ended elections.
“I want to show the people who didn’t vote for us that I mean it when I talk about One Zambia One Nation,” he said.
During the service, Mr Lungu witnessed the preaching of the Word, participating in Bible reading as well as song and dance.
Mr Lungu, who presented some presents to Bishop Sichilima and his wife Ruby to congratulate them on the achievement, also mingled with congregants during the service and before his departure.