ZAMBIA: Vatican and Zambia Celebrates Golden Jubilee Relationship
 |
| A toast to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationships Between the Republic of Zambia and the Vatican |
The Republic of Zambia on 10th
November celebrated 50th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic
relations between the Holy See in an event that was attended by the Holy See’s Secretary
for Relations with States, Most Rev. Richard Gallagher.
November celebrated 50th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic
relations between the Holy See in an event that was attended by the Holy See’s Secretary
for Relations with States, Most Rev. Richard Gallagher.
Archbishop Gallagher who represented
the Holy Father Pope Francis in the celebrations that were held at the Vatican
Embassy in Lusaka said Vatican’s bond with Zambia has been propelled to motion as
an active fabric of Zambian life. This he said has contributed to the promotion
of freedom of activity for the church and dignity of the human person.
the Holy Father Pope Francis in the celebrations that were held at the Vatican
Embassy in Lusaka said Vatican’s bond with Zambia has been propelled to motion as
an active fabric of Zambian life. This he said has contributed to the promotion
of freedom of activity for the church and dignity of the human person.
“Such relations have seen the fruitful
growth the Catholic Church, with her institutions open to all, without
distinction and without any other aim, save that of the progress and the care
of the dignity of each person” Archbishop Gallagher noted.
growth the Catholic Church, with her institutions open to all, without
distinction and without any other aim, save that of the progress and the care
of the dignity of each person” Archbishop Gallagher noted.
He also acknowledged the appreciation
of the successive governments in Zambia of the Catholic Church.
of the successive governments in Zambia of the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Gallagher also said that for
a country associated with Christianity it’s unthinkable that the weak and the
poor be left behind. He said that any project for development must start with
them and be directed to them, knowing that the one who believes in Christ
cannot be concerned for the poor.
a country associated with Christianity it’s unthinkable that the weak and the
poor be left behind. He said that any project for development must start with
them and be directed to them, knowing that the one who believes in Christ
cannot be concerned for the poor.
“By reason of the Christian quality
that has always characterised the identity of the country, and of which Zambia
is proud, being a champion of the values of unity, peace and equality, it is
unthinkable that the weak and the poor should be left behind. The Church has to
cry for the poor, because they are her members and in her the find solace,” he said.
that has always characterised the identity of the country, and of which Zambia
is proud, being a champion of the values of unity, peace and equality, it is
unthinkable that the weak and the poor should be left behind. The Church has to
cry for the poor, because they are her members and in her the find solace,” he said.
Meanwhile he pledged the Catholic
Church’s support and collaboration in building an ever more beautiful and
vigorous Zambia, where the care of the environment is an integral part of the
development, as the Holy Father Pope Francis recently said in his encyclical
letter: Love, overflowing with small
gestures of mutual care, is also civic and political and it makes itself felt
in every action that seeks to build a better world. Love for society and
commitment to the common good are outstanding expressions of a charity which
affects not only relationships between individuals but also
macro-relationships, social, economic and political ones.
Church’s support and collaboration in building an ever more beautiful and
vigorous Zambia, where the care of the environment is an integral part of the
development, as the Holy Father Pope Francis recently said in his encyclical
letter: Love, overflowing with small
gestures of mutual care, is also civic and political and it makes itself felt
in every action that seeks to build a better world. Love for society and
commitment to the common good are outstanding expressions of a charity which
affects not only relationships between individuals but also
macro-relationships, social, economic and political ones.
Pope Paul IV opened the Nunciature in
Zambia on 27th October, 1965 with Archbishop Alfredo Poledrini being
the first Apostolic Nuncio.
Zambia on 27th October, 1965 with Archbishop Alfredo Poledrini being
the first Apostolic Nuncio.
By Mwenya Mukuka, Communications Office, ZEC
