President Michael Sata has learnt with profound sorrow and regret, the passing of Medardo Cardinal Joseph Mazombwe in Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on Thursday, August 29, 2013.
President Sata described the death of the Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka Archdiocese and Zambia’s first indigenous Cardinal, as a huge blow to the country and the Church.
“I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the entire Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), his family and all those who knew and venerated His Eminence Medardo Cardinal Joseph Mazombwe both home and abroad,” the Head of State said.
“I recall the late Cardinal as a courageous and enthusiastic revered cleric for many years, in particular as a young priest in the 1960s, as Bishop of Chipata Diocese in the 1970s and finally as the Archbishop of Lusaka until his retirement in 2006. Most visible among some of his numerous pastoral initiatives, is the magnificent Cathedral of the Child Jesus (Pope Square) in Lusaka.”
The President said the late Cardinal Mazombwe’s passion and commitment to the nation and the poor is equally worth of praise.
“In the months leading to the year 2000, Cardinal Mazombwe, as Archbishop of Lusaka then, was a fiery crusader for the cancellation of Zambia’s international debt, in the Jubilee 2000 movement,” President Sata said.
“Clearly, all those who had contact with this great cleric can testify that his priestly zeal, authority and fidelity to the Gospel was appreciated by multitudes. I pray to the Almighty God to grant all Catholic faithful and the entire nation comfort and strength as we go through this tragic period.”
Cardinal Mazombwe held several senior positions in the local and regional Church, such as Zambia Episcopal President (1972 – 1975; 1988 – 1990 and 1999 – 2002); and as Chairman of the regional conferences of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (A.M.E.C.E.A.) (1979 – 1986).
Issued by:
George Chellah
Special Assistant To The President For Press And Public Relations
Its a great loss.I agree up listening and watching this man talk.He even made me to understand the word Jubilee.Rest in peace Cardinal.
where is Nostradamus USA and his son Nostradamus jr from canada? Tuleya kuchililo!!.. i want to go and introduce our long lost son (nostradamus jr) to the family, so that he can grow up well na malaki not like fred mmembe
@Ndobo, I had to visit funeral home first thing in morning. Nabwelako.
Nachibipa sana, but if Sata get involved this funeral may end up not “holy”. Its simply too early for Sata to start sending ka George Chella kubila mbila. Behaviour yabena Flavor Flavor (Sata) sometimes needs to wait until after burial, when its appropriate to drink.
Ba Saulosi, napapa.
That’s the order of life, birth-old age-death, although in Zambia it is now birth-middle age-death. Well lived ba Medardo.
@Ndobo, I had to visit the funeral house, and attended morning mass to pray for Mazombwe. I think I made mistake in my prayers, I didn’t know that he was from Eastern Province… Anyway St. Naffaniunus will correct it.
“Cardinal Mazombwe passed away in Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital” not Joburg plus plus
Sad indeed for the man of God who had the less privileged at heart. MHSRIEP
baSata where did you hear Mazombwe’s demise mwendela muma chopper?
your point?
MAY MANY GENERATIONS TO COME BE INSPIRED BY HIS SELFLESS WORK. WE MOURN WITH YOUR EXCELLENCY!
Nga Sakeni ena alishani mwebantu?????
Ba Merdado mulale muchibote.
Silly coments reserved, i can only say am sure the man could see light at the end of tunnel as sata kissed his hand….alas…
Its strange that Daniel Mwamba (aka Mushota) is taking long to post coment ever since the mask was unveiled.
For a child of God to die is gain as Apostle Paul put. If he was born again, which from his works we believe he was, we saybgo ahead, we shall meet. Death is inevitable.
Jr. heeee, Junior Nostra… Jr, what time is it in Canada kanshi? phone just ringing… I am happy he has accepted to concentrate this semester. But lelo tuli nechililo, he has to come with me & Bashi Mwaba Ndobo for evening funeral visit.
I even called-off my first lecture on Tuesday (41 signed up for 1st course, that’s double requirement. I will demand for a raise) .
It feels like Good Friday today.
Everything it is to speak through George Cheela as if we voted for cheela,come 2016 you must still be speaking through cheela.We are monitoring you sir.
Ambuye Mazombwe as you are called in Chipata (Eastern Province)! Memories are still fresh, I remember ur hand on my forehead during confirmation at Msipazi Parish (St. Mary’s). Today you are no more! I thank God for your life. We need to celebrate it! I am a staunch and proud Catholic becoz of you! Ambuye Mazombwe, mzimu wanu uutse ndi mtendere (MYSRIEP)
I always remember his great latin and when he lead the mystery of our faith (singing/chanting)..*Zoonadi ambuye munatifera pam ntanda..*…..
….Munauka, Muuunauka, kwaa, kwa akufa, ife, ife tikuyembekeza kuti…..
Death is something we shall never understand!
Ambuye Mazombwe, I’m moved by your death.
I remember you when you told the entire Catechists who were on training that I’m the only young and energetic Catechist amongst the group at Marian Shrine in 2003 with late Fr. E.B Chuungu.
I thank you for your magnanimous life.
Mzimu wanu uutse ndi mtendere.
Yes, there’s pain in death, as our beloved go before us, to another world. I was 8 years old when Cardinal Mazombwe – all of us just called him ”aMazombwe” then- was ordained as a priest at Katete at the Show Grounds, near what was then called Area School, where my mother worked. As the new priest lay down in humility to be ordained, the decorative cloths around the altar caught fire! There was panic every where! Father Dreighter, being a practical Jesuit, just took three quick strides and tore off the cloth around the fire and that was the end of the fire! All the while, Father Merdado lay prostrate on the ground, communing with his God, oblivious to all the hustle around him. A few years later, I was enrolled a the minor seminary school at Santa Maria, east of Fort Jameson (Chipata)
Very Sad for the Country and Catholic Community: MHSRIP.
life is like a bank account no one knows the number of days left.am so grieved to learn abt the death of our Merdado Mazombe words cnt be enuf to express the pain inside my hrt,may the good lord receive in in his holy of holys.rest in peace