ZAMBIA: Bishop of Livingstone in Zambia Calls for Heartfelt Lent, Beyond Rituals
Bishop Valentine Kalumba OMI
Fr. Arthur Ntembula
As the season of Lent begins, Bishop Valentine Kalumba OMI of the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone has urged the faithful to move beyond mere religious rituals and embrace a period of genuine spiritual renewal.
In a Lenten message released on March, Bishop Kalumba emphasized the call to “rend your hearts, not your garments,” echoing the words of the prophet Joel.
The bishop’s message titled ‘A Call to a Meaningful Lent: From Ritual to Renewal’ addresses the common tendency to observe Lent as a routine, a passive adherence to religious obligations.
“Do not observe Ash Wednesday and Lent by default,” he implored, stressing that Lent should be a time of active change, introspection, and a deepening of faith.
Bishop Kalumba particularly challenged the faithful to examine their motivations behind their Lenten practices.
Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, he warned against “empty formalism,” urging the faithful to ensure that their fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are rooted in genuine love and a sincere desire to connect with God, rather than a desire for public recognition.
“This year’s Lenten journey is further enriched by the Jubilee Year, a period of grace, renewal, and mercy,” he highlighted
“The Jubilee goes beyond being just an event; it is an opportunity to rediscover the depth of God’s forgiveness,” Bishop Kalumba wrote.
He emphasized that the doors of mercy are wide open, inviting believers to accept the fullness of God’s love.
