ZAMBIA: Bishop of Solwezi Diocese Reminds Priests to Preach Peace and Unity

By Mwenya Mukuka

The Bishop of the Diocese of Solwezi Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has reminded priests to preach peace and unity to the faithful in their respective parishes.

Bishop Kasonde has also urged priests to show love to all congregants without taking sides as that is their duty of helping people experience the love of God, make them holy and be led to salvation.

‘‘For the priests, in the parishes where we are, let us be the people who bring peace to the congregants, the flock that God has given us. Be there for everyone without taking sides. As humans we can easily be overtaken by the wolves of this world and we must not incline ourselves to those who are able to give something in return. Instead, if we are faithful to the message of the Lord, the favors that we get, we should distribute them, share with our brothers and sisters so that through us we balance the equation,’’ Bishop Kasonde said.

Bishop Kasonde said this when he delivered his homily during the Chrism Mass at St. Daniel’s Cathedral Parish, Tuesday 30^th March,2021.

Meanwhile Bishop Kasonde has said the oils administered in the Catholic Church bring Christians to the love of God and protect them from the power of the evil one, also noting how other denominations have also started emulating what the Catholic Church has been doing more especially the use of blessed water to anoint.

“A number of our brothers and sisters in the protestant world did not so much participate in [using] them, but today we see them anointing people with water. Then I said to myself, ‘Why using water for anointing? It’s only the Holy oil we use for anointing!’ And they said, ‘No, this is the anointing water that will make you well and if you are not strong in faith you follow,’’ Bishop Kasonde added.

Bishop Charles Kasonde is also the chairperson of the Association of Member Episcopal Conference of East Africa (AMECEA).