By: Luke Chimwaza
The Catholics bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been advised to strive in proclaiming unity to the citizens of their countries.
The President of the Republic of Zambia, His excellence Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu made the call at Lusaka in Zambia on Monday February 3 as he officially opened the 2020 first regional consultative meeting of Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
President Lungu emphasized the need for Catholic bishops to preach unity not only to the church but also among people in their sub-region for a meaningful promotion of pastoral unity among all sectors of society such as the lay faithful, the consecrated and the clergy.
A three-day meeting which was held under the theme ‘Enhancing Pastoral Collaboration of the church in the sub-Region’ brought together Presidents and Secretaries of member Episcopal Conferences among others delegates.
The delegates at the meeting had an opportunity to reflect on massages from various key people including the Holy Father, Pope Francis who in his message appealed for more effective proclamation of Gospel and total pastoral care for God’s people.
Having considered the common factors shared among the three countries such historical, cultural, political, religious and socio-economic which have influence on pastoral situation, the Episcopal Conferences have resolved to enhance pastoral collaboration among concerned stakeholders, conduct solidarity visits in both good and difficult times to embrace spirit of brotherhood as well as continuously holding of meetings rotationally to mention but a few.
Other participants to the meeting were include the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellence Most Reverend Gianfranco Gallone, and bishops from the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) and the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) led by Most Reverend Thomas Luke Msusa, Archbishop for Blantyre.