Churches in Zambia issue a message of condolences following the demise of the country’s president

The church in Zambia has expressed its sadness following the death of the country’s president, Michael Chilufya Sata. President Sata died on Tuesday October 28, while undergoing medical treatment in a hospital in London.

In a joint statement published on Wednesday 29 October, the three church mother bodies in Zambia say they have received the news of the passing on of the Republican Head of State with deepest sorrow and heartfelt sadness.

The joint letter is signed by Rev. Suzanne Matale, General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia, Rev. Pukuta Mwanza, Executive Director of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia and Fr. Cleophas Lungu who is the Secretary General for Zambia Episcopal Conference.

Below is the full statement

CHURCH SADDENED AT THE DEATH OF ZAMBIA’S PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA

The three church mother bodies in Zambia have received the news of the passing on of the Republican Head of State His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata with deepest sorrow and heartfelt sadness.

This is according to a joint letter signed by Rev. Suzanne Matale General Secretary, Council of Churches in Zambia, Rev. Pukuta N. Mwanza Executive Director, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Fr. Cleophas Lungu Secretary General for Zambia Episcopal Conference.

The letter says the development  is very disturbing and casts a  dark cloud  over  the nation  and that the sudden  death   of  President  Sata  has come  at  a  time   when  the  country   has  been commemorating  its golden  jubilee.

“On behalf  of the  three  Christian  church  mother  bodies  in Zambia we  express our  sincere condolences  to  the  first  family,  the  government   and the  people  of  Zambia following   this great loss. We  urge  all  the  Zambians  to  remain  calm,  peaceful  and  united   during  this  period  of mourning  so that  we can give the late President a befitting  and a dignified  send off.

We urge everyone to unite and pray for the peaceful transition   in both government   and the rest of the country,” The letter read.

The three church mother bodies has since said that the nation  must  turn  to  God during  this  very  sad moment  and pray for  the  comfort  and encouragement from  God.

May the  soul of the  late President  rest in God's eternal  peace and may Zambia continue  to be united  in the difficult  circumstances  as we look to the future.