Southern African Bishops’ Conference Official Warns Clergy against Using Church Office to Promote Political Parties

The Associate Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, Fr. Nhlanhla Mchunu, warned priests and Church officials against using their positions to persuade Catholics to support specific political parties. In a statement issued Monday, October 5, titled "Clerics and the Political Space," Fr. Mchunu said partisan affiliations can divide the pastoral communities that priests are called to serve.

Fr. Mchunu stated that the Church does not belong to any political, economic, or social system and that attempting to align the Church with a particular ideology or economic system compromises its mission. He noted that while Christians have a responsibility to participate in political life to help build just and peaceful societies, clergy should help people exercise their civic duties according to their conscience rather than promoting political parties.

Drawing on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, Fr. Mchunu said the Church must engage society and promote the common good while remaining distinct from political systems. He emphasized that the primary responsibility of the Church and its ministers is to proclaim the Gospel to all people fairly and justly, regardless of their political or social affiliations.