ZAMBIA: Bishop Hamungole Will Always Inspire the Church in Zambia to Effectively Evangelize Using Modern Means of Communication

Mwenya Mukuka.

A cross-section of Zambian society has continued to mourn Rt. Rev. Bishop Moses Hamungole, of Monze Catholic Diocese.

Two weeks ago, Bishop Hamungole announced that he tested positive to Covid-19 and was under treatment at Levy Mwanawasa hospital and succumbed on 13^th January,2021. And the president of Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Bishop George Lungu in mourning Rt. Rev. Moses Hamungole said the late bishop served with distinction in spreading the apostolate to and through the media

Bishop Lungu said Rt. Rev. Hamungole played a critical role in the establishment and advancement of several Catholic media outlets such as Lumen Television Zambia.

“He was recently elected as Director of the Association of the Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy. In this portfolio, he exhibited immense love and deep appreciation of the irreplaceable role played by diocesan priests in the work of integral evangelisation within the local church,” said the ZCCB president.

He further hoped that memories of Bishop Hamungole will always inspire the Church in Zambia to evangelize effectively by making good use of modern means of communication as well as inspire genuine vocations to the diocesan priesthood.

Rt. Rev. Lungu also disclosed that in the wake of Covid-19 which left a number of households in need of humanitarian assistance, Bishop Hamungole spearheaded the charitable response for the Catholic Church in Zambia.

He then reiterated the Catholic Church’s call to all mourners to strictly follow the public health regulations, especially masking up, washing hands regularly and thoroughly with soap, sanitizing, and observing social distance.

On his part, State President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu has described Bishop Hamungole as an accomplished theologian and professional communicator who, through broadcasting at the then Yatsani Studios in Lusaka and at the pulpit in Monze, worked hard to improve the livelihoods of all regardless of their religious beliefs.

The President added that Covid-19 has robbed Zambia of a great man and urged all citizens to protect themselves and the people they come into contact with saying there is need to fight Covid-19 together.

Born on May 1, 1967, Bishop Moses Hamungole was also Bishop-Director of Communications at the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).

Two weeks ago, Bishop Hamungole announced having tested positive to COVID-19.

Since his ordination to priesthood for the Archdiocese of Lusaka on August 6, 1994, he served in several roles.

Before his appointment as Bishop, he was Director of the Vatican Radio in charge of English and Swahili programmes from 2010 to 2014.

After his primary and secondary schools, he went to St. Augustin Philosophical Seminary and later to the Theological Seminary of St. Dominic in Lusaka.