Lusaka, 03 February, 2021 / 7:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Catholic Bishops in Zambia have encouraged consecrated persons in the Southern African country to strive to be beacons of hope amid COVID-19-related challenges.
In their message issued on the occasion of the 25th World Day for Consecrated Life Tuesday, February 2, the Bishops also encourage Religious men and women and members of the Clergy who “constitute a significant section of frontline workers who are witnessing daily the harsh reality of this pandemic” to observe COVID-19 health guidelines.
“I salute you, on behalf of other Bishops, and cheer you on to continue bearing the light of hope in Christ even in such desperate situations,” members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) say in the statement signed by Bishop Patrick Chisanga, the Director for the Commission for Consecrated.
They add, “Though this year’s celebration of the Day of Consecrated Life is clouded with the general sombre mood in our country and the world at large, may you be bearers of the light of hope, which is Jesus Christ to one another and to the people you minister to.”
There is an urgent need to “protect and preserve the indispensability and warmth of human relationships that are under serious threat in the current circumstances,” ZCCB members say, making reference to social and physical distancing as one of the recommended COVID-19 preventive measures.