The Holy See has praised relations with Zambia

The Holy See says its bond with Zambia has been inserted into the vibrant and active fabric of Zambian life. This, according to the Holy See, has contributed to the promotion of the freedom of activity for the Church and dignity of the human person in the country.

The Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said this when he attended a special celebration to mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Zambia in Lusaka. The celebration was held Monday at Lusaka’s Apostolic Nunciature.

“Such relations have seen the fruitful growth of 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 acknowledged the appreciation and high esteem in which the Catholic Church is held by in Zambia by successive Zambian governments.

And Archbishop Gallagher has said that in a country identified with Christianity it would be unthinkable that the weak and the poor are left behind. He said development projects must start with the poor and the weak and be directed towards them, knowing that the one who believes in Christ is always 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.” He said.  

“The Church has to cry for the poor, because they are her members and in her the poor find solace” He added.

Meanwhile Archbishop Gallagher has 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 development, as the Holy Father Pope Francis recently said in his encyclical, ‘Laudato sì,’: “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 pro Nuncio.

(Zambia Episcopal Conference)

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