CATHOLIC Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo's wife, Maria Sung, yesterday wept for him.

Maria who is in the country to lobby the Zambian government to pressurise the Vatican so that she could have access to Archbishop Milingo yesterday told a press briefing that they were still married despite the Vatican's declaration that the relationship was over.

"I don't believe the marriage is over, I did not marry the Vatican, I married Archbishop Milingo," Maria said. "I hope to have a child and even the Archbishop desires that."

Maria, who broke down during her testimony of how she has 'suffered' for the past one year, said she had always supported Archbishop Milingo to continue with the Catholic church but was concerned that her husband was now 'imprisoned'.

Maria lashed out at the Vatican for marriage interference saying marriage was an institution put together by "God which no man should put asunder". She challenged the Catholics to respect the word of God if they were true believers by allowing her access to her husband.

Maria said Archbishop Milingo had been called upon by God to end the many problems that had rocked the Catholic church which included homosexuality and lesbianism.

"Because of these problems he has not been at peace. He received a message from God that go to Reverend Moon who is going to guide you to a lady so that you fight celibacy," she said.

Maria described Archbishop Milingo, 70, as a very loving and caring person. Vice-president Enoch Kavindele, who is also acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, said government had assurances from the Vatican that Archbishop Milingo was on retreat and well.

But Maria complained that she was not allowed any access to Milingo for the last one year since he went to the Vatican soon after their marriage. Maria expressed concern that the Vatican had not even allowed Milingo's sister to meet or communicate with him on phone when she travelled to the Vatican this year.

"He is dying and he wants us to help him, I have not seen him for a year," Maria said. "Even an imprisoned person in the maximum prison is given a chance to see people."

Maria said she knew Archbishop Milingo as his personal medical doctor two years before they were united by Reverend Moon of the Unification Church at a mass wedding.

Vice-President Kavindele said although there were assurances that Archbishop Milingo was alright, the Zambian government was concerned that he could not be contacted by anyone.

Archbishop Milingo renounced his marriage with Maria after the Vatican threatened to excommunicate him and went for a retreat which was supposed to end in May this year. Vice-President Kavindele said the Zambian government had a meeting with Pronuncio to the Pope who assured that Archbishop Milingo was on a long retreat where he was not supposed to be disturbed.

He said the Vatican representative had also assured that Archbishop Milingo would return to the ministry and be able to meet his wife and relatives at the end of his retreat. "At that time the Archbishop may find time to travel to Zambia," said Vice-President Kavindele. "We have been assured that he is alright, retreat is part of the arrangement in the Catholic church."

Vice-President Kavindele said government would pressurise the Vatican so that Archbishop Milingo could be communicated to in one way or another.