ZAMBIA: Diocese of Solwezi Commissions 15 Justice and Peace Members
Fr. Wilbroad Musonda
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi Rt. Rev. Charles Sampa Kasonde who is also Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has urged 15 new members of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) on the necessity of grounding their work on facts acquired through research when engaging on issues of justice and peace.
The Local Ordinary of Solwezi emphasized that quoting facts backed by research is the benchmark for justice and peace advocacy. He took advantage of the Vocation Sunday to commission fifteen men and women in the diocese in a colorful Holy Mass celebrated at St. Daniel Cathedral Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi, Zambia.
“In this era of social media where a lot of news stories are flooded on the various social media platforms some of which may not be true, it is vital that those involved in finding solutions to challenges on issues of justice and peace in society carry out thorough research before coming out with a final report,” said Bishop Kasonde in his homily.
The Bishop stressed that some social media-generated information could compromise their work and findings with mediocrity. Compromised and substandard reports, the Prelate noted, yield findings that are devoid of solutions to matters of peace and justice.
The diocesan coordinator for the CCJP in the Diocese capitalized on the ritual of commissioning on the occasion to reaffirm to the Local Prelate that the newly commissioned members had undergone a rigorous formation that equipped them with the right tools for evangelization.
“We do not doubt that the candidates have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their mandate to promote and advocate for justice and peace in line with the Mother Church teachings”.
Bishop Kasonde evoked the Holy Spirit to awaken God’s people (CCJP Commissioners) to their evangelical mission of promoting and defending human dignity through Christ.
The Prelate further led the candidates to recite together the Justice and Peace Prayer of Faith and Commitment in which they recited in part saying “We believe that working for justice, peace and wholeness, we share in the work of God in the world He loves. We celebrate God’s gift of life to all people and we are sure of the final triumph of His love in human hearts.
The 15 members of CCJP Parish Commissioners comprised six women and nine men. They were presented with a certificate, IDs, and the Justice and Peace Constitution. The Prelate, in conclusion, imparted his blessings on them.
Earlier in the year the CCJP Parish candidates underwent structured training as a pre-requisite to their commissioning as CCJP Parish Commissioners. The content for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace formation is a culmination of four modules namely: Spirituality of Justice, Economic Justice, Parliamentary Liaison, and cross-cutting issues that include Education, Health, Agriculture, Environment, and religion among others.
As a capstone during their formation, the new CCJP Commissioners worked on an investigation entitled: An Investigation into the Non-Maintenance of the Kimiteto High-Cost Graveyard: A Case Study of Solwezi Municipal Council, 2020.
