By SITEMBILE SIWAWA
THE Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ)
has observed that overnight prayer meetings are contributing to teenage
pregnancies and other vices.
The church mother body has suggested that overnight
prayers should thus be regulated.
Appearing before a parliamentary committee on
Youth and Sports yesterday, CCZ head of programmes Abraham Chikasa said
overnight prayer meetings are a breeding ground for illicit sex among teenagers.
Mr Chikasa told the committee chaired by MMD Ikeleng'i Member of Parliament (MP)
Elijah Muchima that there is need for the church leadership to regulate
overnight prayers as they are a breeding ground for teen pregnancies.
He was
responding to a concern raised by Lukulu West MP Misheck Mtelo that overnight
prayer meetings are contributing to teen pregnancies in the country.
"We're not
denying that girls are getting pregnant during overnight prayers but all we are
asking for is that there should be regulation during these prayers."
"I believe
churches also get a permit to hold such prayers and as such, they should ensure
they check what goes on," Mr Chikasa said.
He also said pastors should target
their preaching on messages to do with sex and purity during overnight prayers.
And Mr Chikasa has suggested that the re-entry policy has not been effective
because there is no law that compels mission schools to enforce it.
He said
girl-children should be given a second chance to get back to school and
contribute to development.
No comments:
Post a Comment