“ONLY THE POPE CAN TELL ARCHBISHOP BANDA TO STEP DOWN”, -Caritas
Caritas Zambia and allied Catholic voices say calls from politicians, MPs and other church bodies for Archbishop Alick Banda to resign are outside Church law.
Their statement says:
“Catholic leadership in Zambia operates under a distinct global hierarchy and is guided directly by the Holy See in Rome, rather than by non-Catholic religious formations or external local bodies. Rome is fully aware of the ongoing situation in Zambia. Decisions regarding the administration, standing, and duties of a Catholic Archbishop remain within the deliberate and careful purview of the Holy Father and the relevant Vatican authorities.”
In Canon Law terms, they point to Canon 377 §1 — appointment and removal of bishops is the sole prerogative of the Supreme Pontiff. So civil allegations alone don’t automatically remove him.
The case: Archbishop Banda was arrested Sept 28 by the Drug Enforcement Commission for possession of a blue Toyota Hilux, reg ALF 7734, reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from ZRA between April 2021 – Dec 2023. He has pleaded not guilty and is on K80,000 bail.
– Trial date: State confirmed it is ready for trial starting November 3, 2026 before Lusaka Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe.
– Who is calling for step-aside: Govt Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana said clergy facing serious allegations should step aside, Nominated MP Noel Nkoma, Bweengwa MP Kasauta Michelo, ZCTU President Blake Mulala, and House of Clergy Zambia.
– Who is pushing back: CCZ General Secretary Fr James Phiri said Govt should not interfere in how Church operates, SACCORD and UNZA Prof Bizeck Phiri said Church has its own doctrines and should be allowed to decide.
The bigger clash:
Government says “no one is above the law regardless of religious office” and that a case against an individual cleric is not an attack on the Church. Caritas / ZCCB side says presumption of innocence under Article 18 of Zambian Constitution must apply, and stepping aside could be seen as admission of guilt.