Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
3 June 2008
Lusaka — The Catholic Church here advised the faithful to ignore the excommunicated former Archbishop of Lusaka, Emmanuel Milingo, who is visiting the country.
In a statement, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) advised the Catholic faithful to ignore religious functions conducted by the former archbishop. Milingo is holding prayer and healing sessions until Wednesday.
"Following what has come out in the media this week, we the ZEC wish to reiterate what we said in November 2006, that the former Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo still stands excommunicated from the Catholic Church, said ZEC president Bishop George Lungu.
"We, therefore, repeat our advice to the Catholic faithful to be aware that if the former archbishop is holding any religious functions, then those ceremonies are being done outside the Catholic Church."
Bishop Lungu said even if the signs and symbols as well as attire that ex-Archbishop Milingo was using during the services resembled those of the Catholic Church, the services conducted were not part of the Church.
Bishop Lungu said ZEC, however, noted that the former archbishop was a Zambian who was free to come home and do as he wished.
Local media reported that Milingo conducted his first service in Zambia on Sunday, since being excommunicated two years ago and held a healing session at a lodge in Lusaka.
He said he was still Catholic as the Vatican had failed to give him a hearing to defend himself after he ordained married priests.
The former cleric hit out at the Vatican for its stand on compulsory celibacy and urged priests expelled or suspended by the Church for breaking the rule to come out and go on with pastoral work.
"We are coming back. Saint Peter was married; all of them [apostles] were, except John the evangelist. We are not a sect but just reminding you of your duties. You can't just sit down. The priests should not fear excommunication. It does not exist. You are priests forever."
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