Embrace “unity of purpose, vision” to Grow Together as Local Church: Bishop in Zambia

The Catholic Bishop highlighted the issue of COVID-19 and the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality and said that unity and solidarity among the people enabled the fight against the pandemic and the participation in the Synod.

“We have gone through COVID-19 together; we have seen the need to continue along the same line of unity and solidarity, also with a view to a good preparation for the next Synod of Bishops,” he said.

The Zambian Bishop who has been at the helm of Ndola Diocese since August 2020 made reference to his Episcopal coat of arms and said that it represents unity through the cross.

He explained in reference to his coat of arms, “May we be one through the cross. This is because the cross is a uniting factor for all believers.”

“The spirit that encourages us to work together is growing among the pastoral agents and we hope, through this collaboration, to achieve more and more,” Bishop Phiri said.

Addressing himself to women and men Religious, the Zambian Bishop who will turn 63 years next month said that the Consecrated persons are not sent to Dioceses to do their own personal activities but they are sent to evangelize the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“The Religious do not come to a Diocese to take care of their own activities, but join the Diocese to support the efforts of the local Church and carry out what is in line with evangelization,” he said in the May 25 report by Agenzia Fides.

The Catholic Bishop continued in reference to women and men Religious, “In their apostolates they must work in collaboration to bear witness to Christ and evangelize for the salvation of souls.”

Bishop Phiri said that since the Religious are well informed on their duties, collaboration from the other members of the church is necessary. He added that focusing on a particular purpose is what is needed to achieve the common good of the Diocese.