ZAMBIA: Small Christian Communities Thrive in Ndola Diocese; Says Bishop Alick Banda
The Small Christian Communities (SCC) of Ndola Diocese in
Zambia is a big success despite of the challenge of having fewer men attending
in Ndola Diocese.
Zambia is a big success despite of the challenge of having fewer men attending
in Ndola Diocese.
Speaking to AMECEA
Online News in Nairobi, Rt. Rev Alick Banda, Bishop of Ndola said that having
fewer men attending SCCs is a scenario which is also found in many other
Dioceses and countries within AMECEA and thus should need a common pastoral approach
to tackle the problem. However, he said, there are other SCCs that are male
dominated, where men are the majority in his diocese.
Online News in Nairobi, Rt. Rev Alick Banda, Bishop of Ndola said that having
fewer men attending SCCs is a scenario which is also found in many other
Dioceses and countries within AMECEA and thus should need a common pastoral approach
to tackle the problem. However, he said, there are other SCCs that are male
dominated, where men are the majority in his diocese.
He said that SCCs are very well established throughout
the diocese of Ndola such that catechesis, pastoral meetings and preparations for
all kinds of celebrations are all done through the Small Christian Communities.
the diocese of Ndola such that catechesis, pastoral meetings and preparations for
all kinds of celebrations are all done through the Small Christian Communities.
“Small
Christian Communities are now more of local churches while the parish is only a
center of celebrations. We live our lives in the Small Christian Communities
where our own challenges, difficulties and joys are shared,” he explained.
Christian Communities are now more of local churches while the parish is only a
center of celebrations. We live our lives in the Small Christian Communities
where our own challenges, difficulties and joys are shared,” he explained.
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| Rt. Rev. Alick Banda, Bishop of Ndola |
The Bishop
added that SCCs provide avenues for people come to know one another at very
closer level and give solidarity to each other where necessary. “If someone is
facing certain challenges, other members swiftly move in to assist and if one
is having a celebration then it is also that Small Christian Community you
belong that comes in to celebrate with you,” he said adding that “For us it has
really become as a bonus because it translates our lives the way we are both in
difficulties as well as happiness.”
added that SCCs provide avenues for people come to know one another at very
closer level and give solidarity to each other where necessary. “If someone is
facing certain challenges, other members swiftly move in to assist and if one
is having a celebration then it is also that Small Christian Community you
belong that comes in to celebrate with you,” he said adding that “For us it has
really become as a bonus because it translates our lives the way we are both in
difficulties as well as happiness.”
For young
adults who often feel that they are too old to participate in the SCCs for the
youth or do not fit well in the SCCs dominated by elderly people; the Bishop
said that they have resolved the problem by creating SCCs for young adults taking
into consideration age issue. “By so doing, these young adults are able to
integrate well and share their experiences with one another,” he said.
adults who often feel that they are too old to participate in the SCCs for the
youth or do not fit well in the SCCs dominated by elderly people; the Bishop
said that they have resolved the problem by creating SCCs for young adults taking
into consideration age issue. “By so doing, these young adults are able to
integrate well and share their experiences with one another,” he said.
Ndola
Diocese which politically and geographically falls in the copper belt of Zambia
is geographically the smallest diocese in the country but the most populated
with almost two million inhabitants out of which 860,000 are Catholics. The
diocese has 89 parishes.
Diocese which politically and geographically falls in the copper belt of Zambia
is geographically the smallest diocese in the country but the most populated
with almost two million inhabitants out of which 860,000 are Catholics. The
diocese has 89 parishes.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
