Peter Sinkamba writes:
WHY ARCHBISHOP DR ALICK BANDA & OTHER CATHOILIC CHURCH LEADERS SHOULD AVOID STEPPING DOWN ON ACCOUNT OF A MERE ARREST
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Catholic leaders avoid stepping down solely due to state arrests in authoritarian or weak-rule-of-law contexts, as immediate resignation validates weaponized legal systems and undermines the Church’s prophetic mission. When political regimes use executive power, police apparatuses, and subverted judiciaries to target religious figures, stepping aside creates several significant institutional risks.
First, automatic resignation
is tantamount to succumbing to political exploitation and weaponization of the justice system. If a government knows an arrest automatically removes a vocal bishop or priest, criminal charges become an easy mechanism to silence critical voices. Demanding that charges be proven in court prevents the state from using trumped-up claims to alter Church governance.
Second, ignoring champions of resignation preserves the prophetic voice of the church.
In many African nations, Zambia inclusive, the Catholic Church acts as a crucial check on state power, speaking out against human rights abuses, corruption, and constitutional subversion. Resigning upon arrest sends a message of retreat, weakening the Church’s capacity to advocate for the marginalized.
Third, ignoring resignation calls protects Canonical and due process norms. Under Catholic Canon Law (Canon 401 §2), a bishop is urged to offer his resignation if ill health or another grave cause renders him unsuited for office. However, a state-sponsored arrest or fabricated charge does not automatically trigger canonical incapacity. The Holy See retains sole authority to evaluate whether an arrest stems from legitimate wrongdoing or political persecution before making any leadership changes.
Fourth, standing firm upholds presumption of innocence and moral integrity. Stepping down immediately can be interpreted by the public as an admission of guilt, damaging the reputation of both the individual leader and the broader ecclesiastical institution. Remaining in office while defending against charges asserts moral legitimacy against arbitrary state power.
Fifth, is an aspect of institutional protections. When a Catholic leader faces criminal charges under questionable circumstances, the Church typically responds through structural measures rather than forcing a permanent resignation.
The Vatican may appoint an administrator to oversee daily diocesan governance temporarily, protecting the local church’s operational integrity without removing the bishop. Additionally, Rome conducts its own independent Canonical inquiries via the Dicastery for Bishops or local Episcopal Conferences to separate genuine criminal conduct from political interference.
So His Grace Archbishop Alick Banda should ignore calls for his resignation from some quarters excersising their freedom of speech. Let government commence trial now, if really there is any merit in its case before Lusaka subordinate court. Afterall, investigations have been taking place for four years now (i.e. since 2022). Why waste more time now? We the Catholics are longing for commencement of trial, not resignation.
The call for His Grace Dr Banda is like calling for President Hakainde Hichilema to resign on account of the ongoing “Pe Lampi” mantra in stadia on Copperbelt. Would President Hichilema accept to resign on that account? I would be shocked if he accepted to do so.😀😀😀