RELIGION BULLETIN-ZAMBIA: Government Bans Church for Alleged Satanic Rituals

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Namasiku Ilukena

LUSAKA, Sep 13 1998 (IPS) - In a move which some religious leaders say was long overdue while others shout religious intolerance, Zambia’s government has banned a local church which was at the centre of controversy for its alleged satanic practices.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Machungwa proscribed the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God at the end of August, arguing that the church had not operated “within the laws of the land”.

Although the minister did not go into details, it has been an open secret in this Southern African nation that former members of the Universal Church have alleged that members are required to donate blood for satanic rituals.

Former members also say that the prayers and religious teachings of the church havea”satanic slant”.

Acording to Bishop John Mambo of the Church of God, a number of “satanic” churches are operating in Zambia, which was declared in 1992 a “Christian Nation” by President Frederick Chiluba, who is a born-again Christian.

“The laws on the registration of churches are very weak in this country and need to be reviewed in order to maintain peace and stability in the country,” Bishop Mambo says.

He suggests that umbrella groups like the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia should be allowed to scrutinise applications for the registration of new churches.

Another Zambian evangelist Frederick Chapewa also voices support for the government’s action against the church, but some Zambians believe that the government is trying to impose its religious will on others.

“It is as if the minister woke up one morning and decided to close the church,” says a University of Zambia lecturer who declined to be named.

The Baptist World Alliance in a letter of protest to President Chiluba says the government should have investigated the claims before taking action against the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

Nilson do Amaral Fanini, President of the Baptis Alliance, says the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is an evangelical denomination, which was started in Brazil in 1975. The church, he adds, has spread to 64 countries and has millions of followers.

Peter Shumba, secretary of the banned church, also says the allegations that the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God practices satanism are false.

According to Shumba, who was a Minister of State during the former government of Kenneth Kaunda, following reports in April that the church was demanding blood from members, he and the church’s pastor, Carlos Alberto Marques Correia, were summoned to State House where they met Peter Chintala, the Deputy Minister in charge of Religious Affairs. Zambia’s Registrar of Societies (religious and civic groups), H. Nyendwa, also attended.

“We exculpated ourselves and were advised to refute the allegations in the media, which we did in the ‘Times of Zambia’,” Shumba says.

Nyendwa’s office rote the banning order which was issued by the Minister of Home Affairs. “Your continued registration is not in the interest of peace, welfare or good order in Zambia, as you are pursuing unlawful objectives other than your declared objectives, which is contravention of the provisions of section 17 of the Societies Act,” Nyendwa wrote in the banning order.

Correia, who is a Brazilian national, also denies that the church was involved in collecting blood from its members. “We have been ictimised and those acusing us should prove their allegations,” he says.

Members of the Universal Church in Zambia are also distraught, pointing out that besides evangelical work, the church also was involved in social projects, such as the building of a radio and television station and a health center.

The church began operating in Zambia in 1995 and it quickly spread from Lusaka to most towns in the urbanised corridor commonly known in Zambia as “the line of rail”, which stretches from Chililabombwe in the north to Livingstone on the border with Zimbabwe.