LIKE in many other countries, the Church and the State in Zambia are partners in national development because the roles they play benefit all citizens.
While Government formulates policies to spearhead development, among its other duties, the Church plays a critical role towards social change and improvement on society’s value system.
The Church has a vital role to play in economic development of the country. Churches have, in the past, driven a crusade to provide education to people. The education system that exists has its roots in the Church.
For instance, the Catholic Church immensely contributes to nation-building through different developmental projects in the education and health sectors.
The Catholic Church has constructed many respectable learning and health institutions that have complemented those set up by Government.
It has also continued offering social services to people living with disabilities, orphans, as well as extension of development and relief services to the underprivileged in society.
It is, therefore, apt to state that the Catholic Church and Government are not competitors but vital partners in national development.
As a result of this partnership and warm relations that exist between Government and the Catholic Church, the two parties always convene to dialogue on matters that promote the well-being of the general citizenry.
In fact, President Hakainde Hichilema has consistently stated that his administration will always be open to receive ideas from stakeholders such as the Church and the traditional leadership in the country.
That is why even after the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) issued a pastoral letter last Friday highlighting national matters that it feels need to be addressed, President Hichilema is ready to meet the clergy and see how such issues can be tackled.
On Wednesday, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said President Hichilema is ready to dialogue with ZCCB to find consensus on matters raised in the pastoral letter.
Yesterday, ZCCB secretary general Francis Mukosa welcomed the proposal by Government for a roundtable dialogue over issues raised in the pastoral letter.
“It is just ordinary procedure that once concerns are raised, a response is given in form of a dialogue, which entails sitting down together and looking at the issues raised,” Fr Mukosa told us in an interview.
Indeed, dialogue is the best way to go in so far as addressing national issues is concerned.
Dialogue is important because it provides a powerful tool to listen and learn more about stakeholders. It also offers a mechanism to maintain and strengthen relationships.
As such, it is important that after the release of the pastoral letter, both Government and the Catholic bishops are ready to sit together and cordially discuss matters that are crucial for national development and citizens’ well-being.
Government and the Catholic Church have always been collaborating in various spheres with the common goal of improving the lives of Zambians, the collaboration which should continue.
Continued collaborative efforts between the Church and Government are expected to strengthen, resulting in more significant strides in areas
of education, healthcare, and social welfare.
With a shared vision for a prosperous Zambia, the New Dawn administration and the Church are poised to work together to fulfil the needs and aspirations of Zambians.
Church, State partners in development
LIKE in many other countries, the Church and the State in Zambia are partners in national development because the roles they play benefit all citizens.
While Government formulates policies to spearhead development, among its other duties, the Church plays a critical role towards social change and improvement on society’s value system.
The Church has a vital role to play in economic development of the country. Churches have, in the past, driven a crusade to provide education to people. The education system that exists has its roots in the Church.
For instance, the Catholic Church immensely contributes to nation-building through different developmental projects in the education and health sectors.
The Catholic Church has constructed many respectable learning and health institutions that have complemented those set up by Government.
It has also continued offering social services to people living with disabilities, orphans, as well as extension of development and relief services to the underprivileged in society.
It is, therefore, apt to state that the Catholic Church and Government are not competitors but vital partners in national development.
As a result of this partnership and warm relations that exist between Government and the Catholic Church, the two parties always convene to dialogue on matters that promote the well-being of the general citizenry.
In fact, President Hakainde Hichilema has consistently stated that his administration will always be open to receive ideas from stakeholders such as the Church and the traditional leadership in the country.
That is why even after the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) issued a pastoral letter last Friday highlighting national matters that it feels need to be addressed, President Hichilema is ready to meet the clergy and see how such issues can be tackled.
On Wednesday, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said President Hichilema is ready to dialogue with ZCCB to find consensus on matters raised in the pastoral letter.
Yesterday, ZCCB secretary general Francis Mukosa welcomed the proposal by Government for a roundtable dialogue over issues raised in the pastoral letter.
“It is just ordinary procedure that once concerns are raised, a response is given in form of a dialogue, which entails sitting down together and looking at the issues raised,” Fr Mukosa told us in an interview.
Indeed, dialogue is the best way to go in so far as addressing national issues is concerned.
Dialogue is important because it provides a powerful tool to listen and learn more about stakeholders. It also offers a mechanism to maintain and strengthen relationships.
As such, it is important that after the release of the pastoral letter, both Government and the Catholic bishops are ready to sit together and cordially discuss matters that are crucial for national development and citizens’ well-being.
Government and the Catholic Church have always been collaborating in various spheres with the common goal of improving the lives of Zambians, the collaboration which should continue.
Continued collaborative efforts between the Church and Government are expected to strengthen, resulting in more significant strides in areas
of education, healthcare, and social welfare.
With a shared vision for a prosperous Zambia, the New Dawn administration and the Church are poised to work together to fulfil the needs and aspirations of Zambians.