ZAMBIA: President Lungu Disheartened with Number of Catholic Priests Succumbing to Covid-19

By Mwenya Mukuka

President Edgar Lungu is disheartened with the demise of several clergymen in the Catholic Church since the outbreak Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is disheartening that several clergy men in the Catholic church have lost their lives since the outbreak of the pandemic,” he said.

The national radio reported this week that the Zambian Head of State expressed his concern when he met the Apostolic Nuncio for Zambia and Malawi His Excellency Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone at State House on Tuesday, 26^th January 2021 to express his sympathy to the Catholic Church.

He has told the Apostolic Nuncio that he mourns with the Catholic Church during these challenging times.

President Lungu has since urged the Catholic Church to continue praying for God’s intervention and strength as the world grapples with the pandemic.

Monsignor Gallone said the Catholic Church in Zambia and the rest of Africa is going through trying times.

“it is saddening that the Church has been losing its members to Covid-19,” said Archbishop Gallone.

The Head of State later held private talks with the Apostolic Nuncio where the two discussed other matters of common interest.

Zambia has in the recent weeks lost a bishop, Rt. Rev. Moses Hamungole who was Director for Social Communications in Zambia Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Fr Charles Chilinda SJ who was founder and Director for Loyola Productions and Television due to Covid-19 pandemic, to mention a few.