This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
On May 7, Holy Thursday, a tragic incident occurred at the Kaunda Square Parish house in Lusaka, Zambia. A married woman, who was also a member of the Catholic Women's league from St Maurice Catholic church, died under mysterious circumstances.
According to Archbishop Alick Banda, the woman had lied to her husband that she was attending a funeral, but in reality, she was at the priest's house. The priest, Father Abel Mwelwa, has been identified as the woman's lover.
Archbishop Banda suspended Father Mwelwa with immediate effect, stating that he had ceased being Parish Priest of Kaunda Square Parish as well as Judicial Vicar of the Archbishop of Lusaka. In a memo, Archbishop Banda wrote, 'I hereby wish to inform you that I have with immediate effect suspended the Very Rev. Ringford Abel Mwelwa from the priesthood indefinitely. With this suspension he ceases to be Parish Priest for Kaunda Square Parish as well as Judicial Vicar of the Archbishop of Lusaka.'
It is alleged that Father Mwelwa injected the woman with a substance in an attempt to abort her pregnancy. The deceased's family has reportedly mandated the priest to pay for the funeral expenses.
Published on June 18, 2020.
