What really is the problem with Kabwe Diocese? Is it that when the Holy See creates a new diocese, it does not even put in place things such funds to build a cathedral, a house for the bishop, diocesan offices, vehicles for pastoral work and other logistics? I’m asking these questions in response to the article that appeared last week where the writer was very disheartened to see young priests leaving the ministry especially in Kabwe diocese, because of lack descent life and unfairness in treatment by the bishop. The article started that may be he was chosen bishop because on the presumption that his congregation would help him to develop the diocese. But does really the bishop need a congregation to develop his diocese? I don’t think the he needs his congregation to help him to develop the diocese, maybe that’s is why his congregation of Don Bosco seems to distant itself from him. And the writer of that article also argued that the bishop does not provide for his diocesan priests, which is contrary to Canon 384 which states in part that, “…He (bishop) is to ensure that they are provided with adequate means of livelihood and social welfare, in accordance with the law”. I feel this is a very serious problem that’s is why young priests are now applying to be employed by the government because some bishops are not providing for them. But the bishops are against the idea of priests being employed by the government. I think some Zambian bishops like Bishop Mulenga should be visiting countries like Tanzania where I m working from so that they may see how well Bishops look after their diocesan priests. And because of this, young priests are really motivated to do pastoral work not what was reported in Kabwe diocese. Now with the mentality of the bishop of Kabwe, can he really promote and foster vocations to diocesan priesthood? I don’t think so. That is why may be there is even shortage of personnel in that diocese. I remember when I visited Zambia last year I was surprised to hear that one person holds more than two posts in the diocese. He is a vicar general, parish priest, director for caritas and he is also the AZAC president. The diocese cannot perform well like that. So Your Lord Bishop treat your priests well so that you may have enough personnel. Furthermore the article stated that since he assumed office in 2012, has not built his house, diocesan offices, cathedral and he has never bought any vehicle for the diocese. Little does he know that the existing vehicles keep on depreciating and they will come a time when priests will start walking for pastoral work. May be this is why he prefers religious to diocesan because the religious have their own means. The Lordship bishop seems to be stuck; he does not know where to take the diocese. Very sad because the bishop is taking sides not. He favors religious more than diocesan priests; because he thinks the religious are better than diocesans. But this kind of mentality will not take the diocese anywhere. I agree with the article that this kind of mentality will not take the diocese anywhere. What the bishop should know is that missionaries come and go but diocesan are there to stay. So he needs them in as far as they need him. When the government makes mistakes in governing the people, we talk, in order to control certain mistakes the government makes. I think it is high time to start talking about the errors some of our bishops are making. This is because every person makes mistakes.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 14:59:02 +0000
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