Milingo in land dispute with Catholic Church

Lusaka, Sunday

Defrocked Roman Catholic archbishop Emmanuel Milingo is embroiled in a land ownership dispute with the Zambian Church and Vatican officials.

Archbishop Milingo, 80, claims that the Catholic Church transferred land ownership deeds from his name to the Zambia Helpers Society without his consent.

He also claims that he acquired the land in his personal capacity when he served as the Archbishop of Lusaka.

Archbishop Milingo formed the Zambia Helpers Society, a volunteer group, to provide health care to the poor.

Catholic Church’s sisters — the Daughters of Redeemers — currently operate a hospital on the land in Lusaka.

Following his defrocking in December 2009 for advocating the abolition of celibacy among Catholic priests, archbishop Milingo is now demanding that the land be given back to him.

However, the Church in Zambia declined to comment on the matter.

Superior of the Daughters of the Redeemer, Sister Emelda Moomba, declined to comment while Fr Paul Samasumo, spokesperson of the Zambia Episcopal Conference, said he is seeking more information.

According to the Sunday Times of Zambia archbishop Milingo has reported the matter to the police.

But Zambia Police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana and Lusaka Province Police commanding officer Greenwell Ng’uni said they were not aware of any reports by the archbishop.