President Banda has said the Catholic Church in Zambia has played a monumental role in the development of the country.
The President noted this in his congratulatory letter to Monsignor Evans Chinyemba on his ordination as Bishop of the Diocese of Mongu.
This is contained in a statement issued by President Banda’s special assistant for press and public relations Dickson Jere.
“The Catholic Church in Zambia has played a monumental role in the development of this country, notably in social sectors such as health in which it runs 69 hospitals, rural health centres, hospices and orphanages; education in which the church operates 221 schools, and countless social and development centres which serve all Zambians regardless of their religious background,” the President said.
He said Bishop Chinyemba has ascended to the office at a time when the Catholic Church is undergoing important changes, given the consecration of Monsignor Benjamin Phiri as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata on Saturday April 9, 2011, and the ordination of Monsignor Charles Joseph Sampa Kasonde to the position of Bishop of Solwezi a year ago, on May 29, 2010.
The President said the cleric’s appointment by Pope Benedict XVI is a demonstration of the Catholic Church’s confidence in the bishop’s ability to shepherd God’s people in Mongu.
“I believe your ordination has occurred in God’s time, and in His grace and strength you will be able to excel in your mission and ministry,” Mr Banda said.
And Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) spokesperson Father Paul Samasumo thanked President Banda for recognising the role that the church plays in the development of the country.
And President Banda has reiterated his pledge to continue working with the Catholic church for the good of all Zambians, reports ZANIS.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Defence Kalombo Mwansa, President Banda said the Catholic Church, just like any other church in the country, is a partner of Government as it has the similar aim of developing the country.
Mr Banda said the Church and Government are inseparable partners in the promotion of the social well-being of the Zambian people through education and healthcare provision, among others.
The President said this at the episcopal ordination of the newly-appointed Mongu Diocese Catholic Bishop Evans Chinyemba at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Mongu on Saturday.
President Banda said that Government and the church leadership must advocate peace, especially as the country goes to the polls this year.
[ Zambia Daily Mail]
pankolokofye chabe!!!!
That’s why representatives of the church must restrain themselves from openly taking sides in the political arena. It’s dangerously divisive for the flock who belong to different political parites. My humble appeal to our church reps – please preserve and guard you unique and privileged position as the platform for national unity and reconciliation!
Politics of poverty are a cancer. Surely tame Dora first and remove that plank from your MMD eyes before you can cheat the people that you are in good books with the katolikaz. they will and have already decided that you go bwana
yesterday on znbc tv i saw honourable eustarkio kazonga receiving holy communion at the installation of the new bishop for mongu. it is indeed true that many members of the catholic church are also members of the mmd? so who makes noises, is it bishop telephone and his minority clique of tribal bishops?
Other governments would have fired Dora. Look at the reasons they fired Mulongoti. Dora will this year cost her concubine the Presidency. But he cannot fire his mamacita.
The only solution to the differences between MMD and the Catholic church is to tame Dora and ask her to apologize for insulting the fathers .
Rupiah showing his condescending attitude towards the Catholic Church again!!
boza! these guys have declared war on the catholic clergy and its no retreat no surrender esp that silly dola has not apologised for insulting the fathers and accussing them of serious immoral acts.
Its a cow which gets back to eat its own vomit.
#4 it a pity can not understand catholic church whoever will be in power even sata doesnt have policies and project propoor will be attacked by the church. we have members in the govt who are catholics but they become greedy so we speak against them so that we remain truthful to our calling of Jesus Christ.
Catholic church is so complex that no one will silence or corrupt it not even by its member.
how can we have people living below poverty level yets we have ministers who gets salaries and allowances like those in developed country and you want us to be silence.
we will stop speaking until your life and lives of zambians is better
Dora Dora Dora Doca Dollar Hule Yaba has already cost u “our” (Catholics’ )vote.She insulted our respected FATHERS(i.e Priests) without remorse.If the govt had been serious she would have been fired a long time ago.Rupiah show sam guts man,fire Siliya & atake kapwasha and i may vote 4 m m d.Otherwise ni President-Mwa mukolo(PF),
MP-Pa bwato(PF),
Councillor-Mu chombo(PF).
FYI She is a liability (Not an asset).
Crocodile tears! During the episcopal ordination of Rgt Rev Bishop Evans Chinyemba Rupiah Banda’s emissary Dr Kalombo Mwansa delivered a different message and Jere is talking different thing. He still harbours grudge against the Catholic Church. Why talk about Fr Frank Bwalya in Mongu? Read Human Abuse Report 2010 at the USA State Department. Shame on Rupiah. TULEVOTA 2011
You haven’t been to confession yet!! Get on you knees & confess & apologise!! You thought you were man enough, now you are cowering, trying to impress Mongu diocese, forget, ni mwamukolo!!!
On marriage by priests why take vows when you are going to become priests / it seems clear you are aiming at money. Still on marriage protestants hae accepted gay marriages soon priests will break away from those churches for gay marriages. Please leave pressures of the world. St Peter the first Pope left his wife for Gods work. St. Paul was not married. jeremiah was not. Why cling on marriage. Jesus Himself was not married at the age of 33. If it was important He would have been the best example. On marriage Jesus says some people are eunachs for the word of God. Some of you dont know the Bible. Lastly one Lord one flock this is the catholic church Jesus founded .Mathew chapter 16.