ZAMBIA: ZEC thanks God for Zambia’s 50thAnniversary of Independence
As the
country celebrates the 50th anniversary of independence, the
Catholic Church in Zambia celebrates and thank God for tremendous achievements
the Church and the people of Zambia as a whole have attained over the years,
says Fr. Cleophas Lungu, Secretary General to the Bishops Conference.
country celebrates the 50th anniversary of independence, the
Catholic Church in Zambia celebrates and thank God for tremendous achievements
the Church and the people of Zambia as a whole have attained over the years,
says Fr. Cleophas Lungu, Secretary General to the Bishops Conference.
Speaking to AMECEA Online News from Lusaka, Fr. Lungu
said that the Church has tremendously grown since independence time as well contributed
a lot to the development of the country especially in pastoral ministry,
education and health sectors.
said that the Church has tremendously grown since independence time as well contributed
a lot to the development of the country especially in pastoral ministry,
education and health sectors.
“The church
from 1891 has been proclaiming the Good News so much so that there is no part
in Zambia which has no Catholic presence,” he said.
from 1891 has been proclaiming the Good News so much so that there is no part
in Zambia which has no Catholic presence,” he said.
According to
Fr. Lungu, the conference had very few priests at independence, more or less
50,but over the years the number has grown to over 500 local, diocesan priests.
“At the time of independence we only had one or two bishop natives of Zambia;
now we have a conference which we can proudly say is truly Zambian; all current
bishops are Zambian citizens, some religious, others diocesan,” Fr. Lungu said
adding that “We are proud of the growth in the Church.”
Fr. Lungu, the conference had very few priests at independence, more or less
50,but over the years the number has grown to over 500 local, diocesan priests.
“At the time of independence we only had one or two bishop natives of Zambia;
now we have a conference which we can proudly say is truly Zambian; all current
bishops are Zambian citizens, some religious, others diocesan,” Fr. Lungu said
adding that “We are proud of the growth in the Church.”
Fr. Lungu
said that the contribution of the Church to areas of education and health are
quite tremendous and a reason to celebrate and thank God. “Many Zambians have
been educated up to university level because of the Church’s contribution to
education sector; while the Catholic Church runs some of the best medical facilities
in the country.”
said that the contribution of the Church to areas of education and health are
quite tremendous and a reason to celebrate and thank God. “Many Zambians have
been educated up to university level because of the Church’s contribution to
education sector; while the Catholic Church runs some of the best medical facilities
in the country.”
“As Zambia
Episcopal Conference we would like to extend the message of good will and
congratulations to the Republic and the people of Zambia upon the attainment of
this golden Jubilee,” Fr. Lungu said.
Episcopal Conference we would like to extend the message of good will and
congratulations to the Republic and the people of Zambia upon the attainment of
this golden Jubilee,” Fr. Lungu said.
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| Fr. Cleophas Lungu, Secretary General ZEC |
He further
said, “This is the moment when we look back and see the many good things that
the Lord has done for us. We have enjoyed 50 years of peace, and of ethnic
integration, there are more than 73 tribes in the country and yet we are living
in relative peace and harmony.”
said, “This is the moment when we look back and see the many good things that
the Lord has done for us. We have enjoyed 50 years of peace, and of ethnic
integration, there are more than 73 tribes in the country and yet we are living
in relative peace and harmony.”
He said that
over the years the country has witnessed transition from one government to the other,
a sign that Zambia is growing; though not yet mature,democratically.
over the years the country has witnessed transition from one government to the other,
a sign that Zambia is growing; though not yet mature,democratically.
Fr. Lungu
said that it is important for Zambian citizens especially those charged with
various leadership responsibilities to take this momentum event to look back
and see where as a country they could have done better for the good of all.
said that it is important for Zambian citizens especially those charged with
various leadership responsibilities to take this momentum event to look back
and see where as a country they could have done better for the good of all.
“Some of the
areas where we may have wasted a number of years would be areas of coming up
with the constitution that represents the aspirations of all Zambians. In other words a people driven constitution and establishing
better public services for the good of all especially in health and education
sectors,” he pointed out.
areas where we may have wasted a number of years would be areas of coming up
with the constitution that represents the aspirations of all Zambians. In other words a people driven constitution and establishing
better public services for the good of all especially in health and education
sectors,” he pointed out.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
