ZAMBIA: Bishop Kasonde Responds to The Poor and Defenseless
Mwenya Mukuka
To show God’s love to the poor and the defenseless in the midst of Covid-19, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has donated food stuff and other items.
This is to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
Bishop Kasonde says though Solwezi Diocese has not been hit hard by Covid-19, people’s movements are bringing in the pandemic to the area, resulting in asymptomatic cases of Covid-19.
“I know Solwezi is not hit hard by Covid-19, but we remain susceptible and vulnerable because Solwezi town releases and receives about 15 buses to and from Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces every day. This interchange of people is bringing the disease in the province,” he said.
“This is the ministry of the Church, to take care of the poor and identify with them. We shall continue and endevour with prevention and enhancement of the lives of our people,” he added.
Bishop Kasonde who is also AMECEA Chairperson has further revealed that though Covid-19 cases in the Diocese are asymptomatic, they cannot take things for granted. For that reason, his Diocese has proactively continued to distribute facemasks to the people.
On the 8th August, 2020, the Shepard of Solwezi Diocese has revealed that bucket’s, hand sanitizers and detergents were distributed at a cost of over US $3,000.
Speaking from his Diocese to Catholic Media Services, Bishop Kasonde added that all Parishes and sub-parishes in the Diocese benefited, and an additional US $55 cash was given to each parish for the purpose of any work that enhances evangelization during this pandemic.
“The emphasis of this is to show God’s love in the midst of trouble and also the Church’s closeness to the poor and defenseless in the midst of Covid-19,” he said.
Parish Chairpersons from various parishes have since thanked the Bishop for the gesture.
Bishop Kasonde also said food items and face masks from Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Diocesan Social program, local Association of Sisterhoods and the Conference of Scottish Bishops were distributed.
