ZAMBIA: “Invest More in Religious Formation” says Bishop Chisanga to Superiors of Sisters’ Congregations

Sr. Helen Kasaka, LSMI

Bishop Chairman responsible for Religious men and women Right Reverend Patrick Chisanga, has urged congregations of Catholic Sisters in Zambia to invest more in Religious formation of the Sisters.

Bishop Chisanga of Mansa Diocese was speaking during the opening the 62^nd Annual General Assembly for Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS) held at City of Hope in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka.

Rt. Rev. Chisanga urged the Sisters to invest more in the initial formation of the Sisters. “If you forget initial formation, I can assure you that Consecrated life or Religious life will be a disaster without a strong formation. Initial formation, ongoing formation will be built on a very shaky foundation and one day the whole thing will collapse,” he said.

He added that some major superiors often focus on professed Sisters, those who have lived in life for some time and lose focus on the need to prepare the necessary foundation for the future of the young Sisters.

He reminded the major superiors to reflect and focus on how much as a congregation they focus on initial formation before first profession and what happens between first profession and perpetual profession.

He said, “This is very important, otherwise we will have women who have all the possible credentials, academic credentials to show out there but nothing of the spirit, nothing Religious about them, no charity, no service, no sacrifice, prayer zero”.

He told the major superiors that they were the right people to provide such advice to the Sisters.

Bishop Chisanga also emphasized on the need to send more nuns for further studies, arguing that there is need for them to balance circular and religious professions.

“There is need to balance as you select the areas of specialization between the circular studies and the religious studies. As more and more Sisters become accountants, lawyers and experts in business management and development programs, we also need Sisters who are theologians, canon lawyers; Sisters who are experts in spirituality or other theological programs,” he said.

Bishop Chisanga, who began his speech by greeting the assembly on behalf of the conference of bishops in Zambia, acknowledged the work done by Sisters.

“We are always grateful as we recognize that you are prophetic women in our midst, in the Church here in Zambia. Without your presence the Church in Zambia would not take the shape it has taken today. It is your presence, your ministry, your witness of life, your generosity to serve, that has made the whole big difference in the Church in Zambia and especially in the ministry of the bishops and, I am here to say thank you,” the Bishop said.

ZAS Chairperson, Sr Sylvia N. Kagulura, thanked the bishop for according them time each year.

“You always plan for it that you be available for us. It is a rare opportunity and we wouldn’t take it for granted to recognize what you are doing for ZAS. You are always available when we need you to advise us and encourage us, we are so grateful.”

Sr Kagulura said she was also grateful that the bishop celebrated mass for the deceased sisters.

“This is a thought that we forget but the fact that you always remember to pray for each Sister, we are very grateful. May God bless you in your wisdom and grant you strength,” she said.

During the five (5) day annual general assembly, delegates reflected on the theme, “prophetic women of hope in the era of the pandemic”, focusing on the statutes, elections and mandate.