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| A toast to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationships Between the Republic of Zambia and the Vatican |
The Republic of Zambia on 10thNovember celebrated 50th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic relations between the Holy See in an event that was attended by the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Most Rev. Richard Gallagher.
Archbishop Gallagher who represented the Holy Father Pope Francis in the celebrations that were held at the Vatican Embassy in Lusaka said Vatican’s bond with Zambia has been propelled to motion as an active fabric of Zambian life. This he said has contributed to the promotion of freedom of activity for the church and dignity of the human person.
“Such relations have seen the fruitful growth the Catholic Church, with her institutions open to all, without distinction and without any other aim, save that of the progress and the care of the dignity of each person” Archbishop Gallagher noted.
He also acknowledged the appreciation of the successive governments in Zambia of the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Gallagher also said that for a country associated with Christianity it’s unthinkable that the weak and the poor be left behind. He said that any project for development must start with them and be directed to them, knowing that the one who believes in Christ cannot be concerned for the poor.
“By reason of the Christian quality that has always characterised the identity of the country, and of which Zambia is proud, being a champion of the values of unity, peace and equality, it is unthinkable that the weak and the poor should be left behind. The Church has to cry for the poor, because they are her members and in her the find solace,” he said.
Meanwhile he pledged the Catholic Church’s support and collaboration in building an ever more beautiful and vigorous Zambia, where the care of the environment is an integral part of the development, as the Holy Father Pope Francis recently said in his encyclical letter: Love, overflowing with small gestures of mutual care, is also civic and political and it makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world. Love for society and commitment to the common good are outstanding expressions of a charity which affects not only relationships between individuals but also macro-relationships, social, economic and political ones.
Pope Paul IV opened the Nunciature in Zambia on 27th October, 1965 with Archbishop Alfredo Poledrini being the first Apostolic Nuncio.
By Mwenya Mukuka, Communications Office, ZEC
