PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he is disappointed with the un-Christian behaviour of Catholic priest, Frank Bwalya.

Mr Banda said Father Bwalya was a Christian and that it was disappointing to hear him incite and advocate violence in the country instead of preaching peace and unity.

And Mr Banda has declared that he would not allow hatred to become part of his ruling in the nation because as a leader he had a duty to ensure that every Zambian was protected.

"I don't hate Fr Bwalya, I hate his behaviour, in fact I am disappointed with him, why should a Christian call for people to die if Government did not listen to their cries, that is advocating for violence, Christians should not advocate for death but promote peace," the president said.

The president was speaking at a Church service held in Lusaka's Matero Constituency at Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) yesterday.

He said the Church should also join Government in condemning some of the un Christian behaviours exhibited by some people who claimed to be Christians instead of keeping quiet.

Mr Banda said it was such un-Christian behaviour that had led other countries to experience violence and that this was the time when the Church should work in collaboration with the Government to have a successful and peaceful nation.

He asked the politicians to understand that they were children of one God and that the church did not condone the kind of hatred they were getting involved in emphasising that they should follow the rules of the Bible as they execute their duties.

"Let's follow the rules of the Bible, I'm happy I'm a leader who follows the rules of the Bible.

"I met three Catholic bishops I told them it is a miracle that I am the president and I thank him for that I was retired and by God's mercy, he made me president," he said.

He said it was better for Christians to love everyone even those that offended others as he was doing with his opponents who talked ill about him everyday because that was the only way a leader was supposed to behave.

Mr Banda has also asked the church to vote for MMD in the 2011 elections and understand that his Government was committed to provide all the necessary needs of the country but asked them to be patient because everything was done at a time.

He has also directed the Ministry of Works and Supply to find money and work on the three major roads in Matero.

The directive came after Matero Member of Parliament (MP) Faustine Sinyangwe made a passionate appeal to the president.

The Government was ready to work with all the Churches in the country and called on his administration to collaborate with the Church to improve the lives of people. a

And MMD Copperbelt Youth chairperson Evans Chibanda has said the arrest of Fr Bwalya should not be politicised as it was wrong for him to distribute the red cards on Youth Day.

He also commended the police for the good job they are doing in keeping law and order.

And eight civil organisations yesterday called for the immediate and unconditional release of Fr Bwalya who was arrested on Friday last week.

The eight organisations are Transparency International Zambia, Caritas Zambia, Citizens Forum, Change Life Zambia, SACCORD, National Youth anti-corruption movement, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction and Zambia Youth Association in the Fight Against Corruption.