ZAMBIA: New Bishop for Livingston Appointed
Rt. Rev. Valentine Kalumba, Bishop Elect of Livingstone
His Holiness, Pope Francis on 18th June 2016 has appointed Rev. Fr. Valentine Kalumba, O.M.I, as Bishop of Livingstone. Until his appointment Fr. Kalumba was Parish Priest of Blessed Mary Theresa in the Diocese of Kabwe.
Bishop Elect of Livingstone
Bishop – elect Kalumba takes over from Bishop Raymond Mpezele whose resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Livingstone (Zambia) was accepted by the Holy Father Pope Francis in accordance with Can. 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
The Bishop – elect was born on 16 January 1967 in Mufulira in the diocese of Ndola (Zambia). He completed his philosophical studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Mpima, Zambia (1994-1996), and his theological studies at St. Dominic Major Seminary in Lusaka. In January 2001 he entered the Novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. On 20 February 2002 he professed his perpetual vows. He was ordained a priest on 22 October 2005.
Meanwhile, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Superior General, Rev. Fr. Louis Lougen arrived in Zambia from the USA to celebrate with the OMI in Zambia the 200 years of its inception. The Missionaries have been serving in Zambia for the last 32 years and are working in Mongu, Lusaka, Kabwe and Livingstone dioceses.
Fr. Lougen who arrived in Zambia on Tuesday 22, June implored the religious to deepen their faith and commitment to God. “Religious need to continue serving the Church through the poor, who they should reach out to. Religious, especially the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, should ensure that they emulate their founder, Eugene de Mazenod, who was close and available to the people,” Fr. Lougen said adding that many people are poor materially and spiritually, hence the need to be at their service.
He further called on every Christian to be close to Jesus Christ in order to serve him and his people diligently and also to enhance prayer life among God’s people in order to experience true joy and overcome temptations.
Fr. Lougen is expected to join the OMI community for the 200th Anniversary Eucharistic celebrations, which will be presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi His Grace Julio Murat at Mary Immaculate parish in Lusaka Saturday June 25.
Zambia Episcopal Conference President, Most Rev. Telesphore Mpundu, Archbishop of Lusaka and Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyemba, OMI, Mongu Diocese will attend the event.
By Mwenya Mukuka, ZEC Communications Officer
