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African Bishops Solidarity With Arrested Zambian Archbishop
Confirmed
In Short: Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu and other African bishops expressed solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka, Zambia, following his arrest.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo, and president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), said the organization had learned with 'great concern' of the recent proceedings and investigations involving Archbishop Alick Banda.
Archbishop Banda was arrested by Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) over the alleged possession of a vehicle suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority.
The vehicle, a blue Toyota Hilux, was reportedly gifted to Archbishop Banda by former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.
Archbishop Banda appeared before Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The DEC alleges that Archbishop Banda had the vehicle in his possession between April 22, 2021, and December 2023.
The court ordered Archbishop Banda to surrender his travel documents and set bail at 80,000 Zambian kwacha (about $4,094).
Archbishop Banda spent a night in custody after failing to complete the bail process before close of business.
Zambian bishops, led by Archbishop Ignatius Chama of Kasama, president of the Zambian bishops’ conference, expressed concern about increasing incidents of arbitrary arrests and detention, the presence of military personnel in civilian places, and reports of excessive or unlawful use of force.
Archbishop Chama urged fairness, respect for the prelate’s dignity, and the application of due process as Archbishop Banda went through the trial.
The Zambian bishops also called for spiritual solidarity with Banda as he faces the charges, emphasizing the need for calm, peace, and unity in Zambia.
SECAM’s solidarity message urged Catholics in Zambia to remain calm, united, and prayerful, and called for the legal process to proceed without prejudice or intimidation.
Archbishop Chama said, 'Archbishop Banda has consistently spoken with courage and moral clarity, reminding the faithful and the society at large of our shared responsibility to build a society rooted in integrity, unity, and compassion.
What this adds
The solidarity from SECAM, the most important body of the Catholic Church in Africa, comes amid mounting government-fueled violence in Zambia.
What's confirmed
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo, and president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), said the organization had learned with 'great concern' of the recent proceedings and investigations involving Archbishop Alick Banda.
- Archbishop Banda was arrested by Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) over the alleged possession of a vehicle suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority.
- The vehicle, a blue Toyota Hilux, was reportedly gifted to Archbishop Banda by former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.
- Archbishop Banda appeared before Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
- The DEC alleges that Archbishop Banda had the vehicle in his possession between April 22, 2021, and December 2023.
- The court ordered Archbishop Banda to surrender his travel documents and set bail at 80,000 Zambian kwacha (about $4,094).
- Archbishop Banda spent a night in custody after failing to complete the bail process before close of business.
- Zambian bishops, led by Archbishop Ignatius Chama of Kasama, president of the Zambian bishops’ conference, expressed concern about increasing incidents of arbitrary arrests and detention, the presence of military personnel in civilian places, and reports of excessive or unlawful use of force.
- Archbishop Chama urged fairness, respect for the prelate’s dignity, and the application of due process as Archbishop Banda went through the trial.
- The Zambian bishops also called for spiritual solidarity with Banda as he faces the charges, emphasizing the need for calm, peace, and unity in Zambia.
- SECAM’s solidarity message urged Catholics in Zambia to remain calm, united, and prayerful, and called for the legal process to proceed without prejudice or intimidation.
- Archbishop Chama said, 'Archbishop Banda has consistently spoken with courage and moral clarity, reminding the faithful and the society at large of our shared responsibility to build a society rooted in integrity, unity, and compassion.
What's still developing
- “We trust that the competent institutions will discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the law, with respect for the rights and dignity of all those concerned, and in a manner that contributes to truth, justice and the common good,” Cardinal Ambongo said in a solidarity message on Oct. 1.
- “As he undergoes this process, we accompany him with our prayers, asking the Lord to grant him fortitude, serenity and wisdom,” Archbishop Chama said in his statement.
- The message of solidarity from SECAM — the most important body of the Catholic Church in Africa — came amid mounting government-fueled violence in the country.
- U.S. and African bishops displayed solidarity with one another as religious freedom in Nigeria took center stage in Washington, D.C., at a Mass and a congressional hearing.
- LUSAKA, Zambia — Archbishop Alick Banda of the Archdiocese of Lusaka in Zambia has been released from Chimbokaila Correctional Facility after meeting the bail conditions set by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.