By Mwenya Mukuka
As they launch the 2020 Lenten campaign, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) say that in the light of recent happenings in the country, they cannot ignore the fact that true peace abounds wherever there is justice, genuine dialogue and reconciliation.
The Bishops have since said three principles should become the nation’s special focus of attention during this year’s Lenten observation.
In a message during the Lenten campaign launch, Sunday 1st March,2020, on behalf of the conference, ZCCB President Rt. Rev. George Zulu noted that what is being witnessed in Zambia has never been seen in the history of the country not even during the struggle for independence.
He said burning of human beings through mob justice is barbaric, unchristian and is a culture of the stone-age.
“Incidents of killings and reports of ritual murders and gassing of people in their homes have occupied space in both our social and mainline media. What does all this mean for us as baptized people? It means that though baptized, we are not yet converted and are not repentant,” he said adding, “Though we shout from the roof tops and hail this country as a Christian nation, there is no corresponding evidence in our lives to substantiate that claim. “
“As a God fearing people, we must also avoid participating in acts of destroying property and looting shops which probably have nothing to do with the gassing phenomenon,” Rt. Rev. Lungu added.
The ZCCB president has further noted that Zambia is currently facing major challenges in all aspects of human life - socio-economic, political, cultural and religious.
He nonetheless said that God’s Word has the power to open people’s eyes and hearts so that they can renounce sinful ways and embrace a new path of sharing, of solidarity, respect of the rule of law, respect for human dignity and reverence for the sacredness of life, dialogue, reconciliation and love.
“In this way, we shall truly claim to be children of God,” said Bishop Lungu who is the Ordinary for Chipata Diocese.
The Lenten Campaign 2020 launch is also a call to response to the Pope's invitation to do charity works with new vigour. Earlier in his apostolic letter, “Intima Ecclesiae Natura” given in Rome, on 11thNovember, 2012, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminded people that service of charity is a constitutive element of the Church’s mission and an indispensable expression of her very being.
He further said that all the faithful have the right and duty to devote themselves personally to living the new commandment that Christ left, called on the faithful to be part of the National Campaign for contributions towards Charity.
On this note, Rt. Rev. George Lungu emphasized that the appeal is not meant only for the Catholic faithful and Catholic organizations but all the people of good will.
“You know what the Catholic Church means and does when she embarks on such a campaign in an effort to reach out to people in need. With more reoccurring calamities due to climate change, we need to be proactive. When nature strikes, it does not respect rank, colour, tribe, creed and status. Time to prepare is now. Time to give and help is now. Rest assured that your contributions, will be channeled to genuine beneficiaries in a very accountable and transparent manner,” he said.
The 2020 Lenten Campaign is under the theme Living the Word of God Through Charity; a Call to Justice, Peace and Reconciliation
To help carry out the Lenten observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the Bishops’ Conference has designed reflection materials for use during the six weeks of Lent, before the Holy Week.