ZAMBIA: Newly Ordained Priests in Zambia Urged to Promote Peace, Justice in Parishes
By Fr. Wilbroad C. Musonda
In an unprecedented ceremony that was characterized by a joyous and colorful historic celebration of Holy Mass, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi, Zambia ordained nine men to the priesthood, marking the largest ordination that has entered the annals of the diocese’s history.
In his homily delivered during the momentous occasion on Saturday, August 10, at St. Daniel Cathedral Parish, Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde urged the newly ordained priests to be a sign anchored on the Christian and Universal values of Peace, Justice, and God’s favor.
“As you go out into parish ministry you have to be a sign of Peace and Justice and of God’s favour for the Christian community you will be guiding,” Bishop Kasonde said in his sermon while addressing the deacons awaiting ordination and thousands of congregants parked at Cathedral Parish that had in attendance including the clergy, religious, lay faithful, people of goodwill and a high powered delegation of six Cabinet Ministers and government dignitaries among others.
The Local Ordinary further underscored the need for the newly ordained to be diligent and consultative when serving God’s people expounding that prayer plays a pivotal role in the consultative process in a parish.
“In your work, the first consultation is through prayer” Bishop Kasonde expressed and explained, “When you sit before the Tabernacle the Holy Eucharist, pray to God that the Lord may guide you and grant you the wisdom to live among the people”.
Bishop Kasonde, who also doubles as Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region, further elaborated that in the dispensation of their priestly pastoral ministry in respective parishes that is aimed at the promotion of Peace and Justice, the newly ordained priests have to serve all people equally regardless of their social and financial status in society.
On the other hand, Minister of Defence Mr. Ambrose Lufuma who represented the country’s head of State, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema said that the government supports and complements each other with the church in socio-economic and social justice.
“So as the State, the government is there to serve the people. Therefore, we support and complement each other. We do so, especially in the field of socio-economic” said Mr. Lufuma in an official speech he read on behalf of the Republican President Mr. Hichilema” adding “But we as well as striving for social justice and peace. That’s what the government stands for”.
Speaking on behalf of newly ordained priests, Fr. Rashid Nkonde pledged to work tirelessly for the betterment of the Christian faithful and the community.
Meanwhile, the Pastoral Coordinator for Solwezi Diocese Fr. Yona Chipango extolled the friends, families, and lay faithful for their handwork that culminated in the superb holding of the momentous occasion ordination to the priesthood of nine men who are now incardinated in the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi.
“Dear friends, family, and the lay faithful, as we conclude the joyous celebration of the priesthood, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee and all who have made the momentous occasion possible,” Fr. Chipango said while moving a vote of thanks.
Adding on was the Diocesan Vocation Director, Fr. Benny Chunda, who described the occasion of the ordination of Nine Deacons to the priesthood as a significant milestone that underscores the diocese’s commitment to integral evangelization of God’s people that is aimed at meeting the material and spiritual needs of the people in the Diocese.
The Catholic Diocese of Solwezi where the Nine newly ordained priests will carry out pastoral ministry was established in 1976. It was originally part of the Vicariate Apostolic of Ndola. On 9th December 1976, Solwezi was raised to the status of Diocese and Msgr. Potani became the first Bishop. The current Bishop, Rt. Rev. Charles Joseph Sampa Kasonde was appointed on 15th March, 2010 and was consecrated on 29th May 2010 as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Solwezi.
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