23 November 2009
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president, George Lungu has challenged priests in Chipata Catholic Diocese to be obedient and stick to their vows in order to serve the calling of God.
Speaking during the occasion of the closure of the years of evangelisation and the launch of the year of the priest held at St Anne's Cathedral Parish in Chipata yesterday, Bishop Lungu who is in-charge of the diocese said he was aware that some priests were committed and dedicated to the calling of God while others were not
He said priests should always know that it was not their culture to get married but should always stick to their celibacy life.
Bishop Lungu said some priests in the diocese were well qualified and should not take advantage of that to break the calling of God.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Eularia Syamujaye called on Christians to desist from condemning priests, which in turn made some of the priests to despair.
Ms Syamujaye said the Government would continue working with the church for the common good of the welfare of the people.
She commended the Catholic Diocese of Chipata for challenging the Government in many ways by reaching the remotest places such as Lumimba in Lundazi to provide social services.
Ms Syamujaye said the programme of evangelisation aimed at deepening the faith of the church and the community at large, so that more people would commit themselves to the Lord.
Four priests were given robes and crosses for the purpose of marking the year of the priests.
The recipients were St Atanazio Parish Priest, Father Richard Chiyanjano, St Annes Parish Priest, Father Mathias Banda, St Mathias Mulumba Parish Priest, Father Jamba and Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Father Andrew Phiri.
Four parishes in Chipata Deanery St Atanazio, Mary Mother of God, St Annes and St Mathias Mulumba converged at St Annes to mark the closure of years of evangelisation and opening of the year of priest.
District Commissioner Moses Nyirenda and Chipata Mayor Malvern Zulu attended the ceremony.
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