ABSTRACT
The chapter engages with the place of religion in the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia. It explores the responses of religious bodies to COVID-19 as exemplified by the Church umbrella bodies, namely, Council of Churches in Zambia, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and Independent Churches of Zambia. Drawing on Content Analysis of interviews, press statements and communications in the media from the Church umbrella bodies, the chapter shows that the responses were characterised by strides to use religion positively during the pandemic. Religious bodies followed the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health by suspending public worship and organising online national prayers. Besides advocating for accountability and support towards society’s vulnerable groups, they provided spiritual and public health education, and material support to assist people in the moment of suffering induced by COVID-19. This signified how religious bodies reinterpreted their Christian dogma during the pandemic. Contrary to using religion as a barrier in the context of the pandemic, the chapter argues that religion was used as a resource for dealing with suffering and mobilising people for the good of human life.
