Church of Central Africa Presbytery (CCAP) Blantyre Synod has said that the synod will not be dragged to comment on political issues as this is against its constitutional mandate.
Synod General Secretary Billy Gama made the remarks during a press conference the church held in Blantyre on Thursday.
The press conference was called to clarify on the synod’s stance following the synod’s prison chaplain for the eastern region Stanley Chimesya recent remarks through an audio clip he released in which he bashed President Peter Mutharika’s decision to withhold his assent on electoral Bills recently passed by Parliament.
“No, we do not take political sides. In fact, the minister [Chimesya] was making such comments personally and was not sent by CCAP Blantyre Synod. While we appreciate the difference in opinion amongst our membership, we remain strictly non-partisan.
According to Gama, any position by the synod is communicated to the public through its constitutionally appointed spokesperson, who is the general secretary.
“Therefore we can just come out and comment on various socio-political issues simply because our brothers elsewhere have had a say on the current political situation in the country. Unlike others, such decisions are made at the synod’s general assembly conference which has not met yet,” he said.
Quizzed when the said council would meet to make a stand on the same, Gama was hesitant before saying “in June this year.”
Meanwhile, the synod has also announced that Chimesya has apologised to the church for his outbursts, and has since committed to ‘sin no more’,
According to Gama, the synod has also settled to forgive him. He was however quick to argue that Chimesya’s fate may change owing to new evidence on his offense.
A new audio clip making round on social media also purports the ‘errant’ minister also making an apology to Presidential spokesperson Mgeme Kalilani who was the prime target in his recorded outburst earlier on.
Efforts to talk to Chimesya proved futile as he could not be reached over his mobile phone lines.
In a related development, the church has also announced that it is not going to suspend prayer service in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
“No, not yet. Of course we remain cautious despite that the country is yet to officially register a case on the same. On the other hand, we will continue to pray for God’s protection over such a calamity that has befallen
the entire world,” said Blantyre Synod moderator Masauko Mbolembole.
