Archbishop Ignatius Chama of the Kasama Archdiocese has issued a strong appeal to Zambian Christians, calling on them to participate in nationwide peaceful demonstrations organized by the Oasis Forum.
He warned that the proposed constitutional amendments could undermine key safeguards and weaken the country’s democratic foundation.
Speaking on Radio Lutanda’s Ishiwi lyakwa Kacema program on Friday, Archbishop Chama said the protest — scheduled for November 28 at State House in Lusaka — should be viewed not simply as a political event, but as a moral and civic duty grounded in Christian values and constitutional responsibility.
“The Constitution is not a mere legal document; it is a covenant between the state and its people,” he said. “When that covenant is manipulated, when rights are quietly stripped away under the guise of reform, it becomes the duty of citizens — and the conscience of the faithful — to rise in peaceful, orderly protest.”
He emphasized that the right to peaceful assembly is protected by Zambia’s Constitution, urging believers not to remain silent in the face of governance overreach. With Christians making up roughly 70 percent of the population, he warned that apathy could weaken both moral leadership and democratic accountability.
“The Church does not endorse disorder,” he stressed. “We reject violence and destruction. But we also reject complicity. When governance drifts away from transparency, equity, and accountability — when the dignity of the poor and the protections of the vulnerable are at risk — the faithful must speak, and they must march.”
Archbishop Chama fully endorsed the Oasis Forum’s call for mass demonstrations, describing its concerns as legitimate and constitutionally sound. He encouraged young people, in particular, to take an active role, invoking the words of Pope Francis at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro: “Do not wait for others to change the world. Be the agents of change.”
“That message is especially relevant to Zambia,” he said. “Young people cannot be bystanders. They are custodians of our future. When constitutional reforms appear to bypass public consultation or concentrate power instead of expanding rights, they must be at the forefront.”
Turning to the Zambia Police Service, the Archbishop urged officers to protect demonstrators rather than suppress them.
“Protesters are not enemies of the state,” he said. “They are its conscience. The true enemies are those who enrich themselves through corruption, who silence dissent, and who manipulate institutions for private interests, not the public good.”
He called on the police to uphold their constitutional obligation to safeguard peaceful assembly, maintain order, and direct their efforts toward combating corruption and abuse of power rather than intimidating citizens.
“Let the police be the shield for the people, not the sword against them,” he added. “The real threat to national stability is not the crowd at State House — it is the quiet erosion of justice behind closed doors.”
Archbishop Chama concluded by reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity. He urged all Zambians — across faiths and political backgrounds — to stay informed about the proposed amendments, remain vigilant, and use lawful, nonviolent channels to express their concerns.
“The Constitution belongs to the people,” he said. “And when it is threatened, the people must respond — not with rage, but with resolve; not with chaos, but with clarity; not with silence, but with sacred courage.”
The nationwide protest is scheduled for November 28, 2025, at State House in Lusaka, with participation expected from religious bodies, civil society groups, student unions, and labour organizations.
By Kuchalo Reporter
Picture: Archbishop Ignatius Chama
