Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:05:21 +0000
By LINDA SOKO TEMBO and MOSES SINJWALA
ALLOWING bars to continue operating while banning churches from congregating because of the cholera epidemic is a misplaced decision, a clergyman has said.
Reacting to Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale’s statements that Government had not banned prayers but congregating of people, Reverend Panji Chipeta of the Kingdom Business International said he was disappointed with the decision.
He wondered why the minister would allow bars to operate while stopping the faithful from congregating.
He said alcohol only contributed a small fraction to the gross domestic product of the country (GDP) and insisted the decision was misplaced.
Mr. Mwale said, “We as Christians are encouraged to pray from our homes or wherever we may be comfortable as individuals.
In fact, we need more prayers now than ever before; we need God’s strength, comfort and grace as we fight this epidemic.
“Coming to the issue of bars, we have allowed bars in some areas to open from 11hrs to 19hrs, based on a belief that is anchored on keeping the wheels of the economy running while intensifying inspections to ensure hygiene standards are upped or at least maintained.
“We take cognisance of the fact that manufacturers, distributors, retailers all have financial obligations such as salaries, rentals, taxes etc. to meet even in times like this.
We are definitely not in any way going to compromise the health of our citizens even as we try and ensure their economic safety.”
But Rev Chipeta wondered why those drink could not be told to buy alcohol and drink from their homes too.“People who meet at bars should also drink from their homes. They can buy bottles of beer and go and drink from their homes as well but to stop the church from congregating, that is sabotage on the church,” he said
He called upon the Church mother bodies and other religious leaders to speak out on the matter as it did not depict the values of a Christian nation.
