Statement issued on behalf of the Universal
Church of the Kingdom of God in Zambia
Released: 28.02.06

 

Following the expulsion of the two most senior UCKG pastors in Zambia, Bishop Renato Cardoso, who heads the church throughout Africa, has issued the following statement:

“We simply do not begin to comprehend why Pastor Carlos Barcelos, Pastor Jamir Saores Craveiro and their families have been expelled from Zambia.

“Their only purpose in the country was to spread the Word of God and do good. They worked for the Zambian people through Christian prayer and practical outreach activities supporting the poor, the old and children in particular.

“This action by the government of Zambia amounts to a denial of the human rights and religious freedom of four good people. It is not the action of a democratic and open government to expel individuals for no reason - and no reason has been given to the individuals concerned, the church, the Zambian parliament, or to people of Zambia, through the media.

“It is a fact that UCKG was totally exonerated over the false accusations that were levelled at it towards the end of 2005. At the beginning of this year High Court Judge Tamula Kakusa ruled that the church should continue meeting and the pastors retain their status quo in the country. Since then nothing has changed to the best of our knowledge and belief.

“I therefore call upon President Mwanawasa and Home Affairs Minister Bates Namuyamba to explain why action has been taken against our pastors and their wives, wrongly and unfairly, and to act as statesmen of integrity by putting matters right.”

 

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