ZAMBIA: Archbishop Banda Urges Priests to Avail Themselves to God and Service to Humanity
Fr. Winfield Kunda
The Archbishop of Lusaka, Most Rev. Dr Alick Banda has urged priests to make themselves available to service of God and to those entrusted to their care especially those on the peripheral, aged, sick and the vulnerable.
Archbishop Banda said this during the Chrism Mass which he celebrated together with priests who work in the Archdiocese.
“My dear brother priests, God requires that we be available and especially to those entrusted to our care; those that are on the peripheral of our society; those that cannot make ends meet; the street vendors who are always on the run looking for space to trade; the urged and the sick; the unemployed, prostitutes and the psychotropic substance abuse,” Archbishop Banda emphasised.
Archbishop Banda underscored that ability without availability is a liability.
“In the service of God and neighbour, there is one quality which is the greatest of all, namely availability. If we are not available to God and neighbour, no matter what kind of abilities we may have, it will not be good enough because ability without availability is a liability, Archbishop said.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Banda has thanked the clergy for their services to the local Church of the Archdiocese.
“I wish to acknowledge each one of you for the service you render to the Church and people of God entrusted to your care in your various ministries and apostolates. Your individual contribution in pastoral ministry makes a huge difference to the Archdiocese of Lusaka,” His Grace said.
Most Rev. Banda has also thanked the lay faithful for the support they render to the Archdiocese for support towards its initiatives to enhance evangelisation.
“I want to thank you more sincerely, my brothers and sisters, for your continued support to the Church and indeed to our priests be it in difficult times. I acknowledge the support you render to the Church, be at the Parish level, through Small Christian Communities or through lay movements. I thank you for great generosity,” Archbishop said.
He further urged the lay faithful to continue praying for their priests who minister to them in various and ministries and apostolate.
Present at the Chrism mass were the Religious men and women whom the Archbishop Banda acknowledged for their unwavering commitment of service to the Church through their different charisms.
Ends ///
