ZAMBIA: Catholic Church in Zambia Honors Pioneer Missionary on World Mission Sunday

By Meckias Banda

The Catholic Diocese of Chipata in Zambia took part in the commemoration of World Mission Sunday with a special Mass ceremony to exhume and re-enter the remains of Brother Thomas Gruyters, one of the pioneering missionaries who brought Catholicism to the region.

Bishop George Lungu of the Diocese of Chipata, who led the ceremony at the Lavigerie Formation Center, used the occasion to emphasize the importance of missionary work and the role of Catholics in spreading the Gospel.

He noted that Pope Francis established World Mission Sunday to remind priests, religious brothers and sisters, and the laity of their duty to evangelize.

In his homily, Bishop Lungu expressed concern that many people are excluded from God’s heavenly banquet due to worldly distractions.

He urged Catholics to be more active in church programs, underscoring that everyone is invited to the heavenly banquet.

The Bishop praised Brother Thomas Gruyters for his dedication to serving in Africa despite numerous challenges. He said the Church is grateful that Brother Thomas chose to be buried in the African soil, a testament to his commitment to the people.

And Bishop Lungu encouraged the congregation, comprising priests, religious brothers and sisters, and lay faithful, to emulate Brother Gruyters’ example.

As messengers of God, he urged them to go beyond their comfort zones and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

The exhumation and reinterment of Brother Gruyters’ remains from Old Santa Maria to the Lavigerie Formation Center coincided with the global celebration of World Mission Sunday, highlighting the Church’s commitment to evangelization and missionary work.

The ceremony was attended by the clergy, religious leaders, and lay faithful from across the Chipata Deanery, who reflected on the significance of missionary work and the importance of spreading the Gospel message.

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