Zambia's Bishops receive solidarity after Archbishop Alick Banda's arrest

Catholic bishops and religious associations in Africa have expressed solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka following his arrest. SECAM expressed concern regarding the legal proceedings and requested that authorities guarantee justice.

The Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (ACBC-MAZAZI) extended spiritual support to the Archbishop and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, calling for fair, transparent, and lawful due process. The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) urged the Zambian government to ensure the legal process is not used as a political tool to intimidate the Church. The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) stated that while the Church recognizes the responsibility of public institutions to uphold the rule of law, judicial procedures must respect human dignity and remain impartial.

Church representatives in Zambia warned that the arrest could lead to further political polarization. Citing a report from The Tablet, Vatican News noted that leaders called for an end to the government using the law as an instrument of political influence. The arrest follows a period of political tension after general elections and recent criticism of the government by the Church. The Lusaka Association of the Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy (LUSAZADCC) reaffirmed its unity and communion with Archbishop Banda.