ZAMBIA: Conference of Catholic Bishops Orients National Synod Contact Team

Mwenya Mukuka

Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has initiated preparations to sensitise Christians on the forth coming XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of bishops.

The Zambia Catholic Bishops through its Secretariat has since set up a national contact team to spearhead the process.

Making the announcement of the 7-man Synod National contact team during a virtual orientation meeting held on 12^th October, 2021, ZCCB Secretary General Father Francis Mukosa said it is expected that the National Synod Team understands well the Synod on ‘Synodality’.

Father Mukosa explained that Synodality is the nature of the Church, adding that it focuses on how people are living the life of the Church and walking together.

He also said that the team should develop methods of collecting inputs from dioceses in a timely manner.

The ZCCB Secretary General added that the team will also coordinate the ZCCB Pre-Synodal Assembly which will attract the bishops, national contact team, contact persons from every local Church and others.

“ The team will also draft a national synthesis and contribute to the continental (SECAM) synthesis before March 2023 through the regional assembly AMECEA,’’ Father Mukosa revealed.

The meeting attracted about 30 participants majority of whom are Pastoral Coordinators from across the dioceses in Zambia.

The Synodal process preparations are expected to be launched from 16^th of October, 2021 and expected to end by April 2022.

The Zambia National Synod Contact Team (NSCT) comprises of Fr. Jonas Phiri (ZCCB Catechetical Coordinator) as the contact person, Fr. Winfield Kunda (ZCCB Communication Secretary) as the media person, Fr. Leonard Namuhumba (ZCCB Education Secretary) as in charge of spiritual matters and Fr Teddy Musonda (St. Dominic’s Major Seminary Lecturer) for methodologies.

Others appointed to the NCT are Frs. Thomas Banda, Evaristo Chuya and Bboloka Nchimunya, SJ. who will work as theological commissioners.