Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “ We wish to take up the testimony left by the missionaries, to continue spreading the Gospel, in communion with the Universal Church,” says Fr. Bernard Macadani Zulu, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Zambia, in an interview with Fides on the situation of the country and the Church.
Presidential elections were recently held in Zambia, as a result of the death of President Levy, and Rupiah Banda has won. How would you evaluate the evolution of the electoral process?
We are satisfied with how elections have taken place, although it was an unscheduled event which occurred as a result of President Mwanawasa's death. In a situation like this, violence could have broken out and thanks be to God, there hasn't been any. The electoral campaign has been upright, and the elections have taken place with tranquility. It should be kept in mind that we are a fairly young democracy, and parties and free elections were recently established in 1991 and, therefore, the fact that these elections have been carried out correctly is a good sign. We are aware of the fact that there is still much to be improved in our democratic system. In particular, the political parties should keep their electoral promises and the government should make a better effort in seeking the common good, working for the welfare of the people. We have to improve the way in which we use the country's natural resources, placing them at the service of all people. We have the problem of corruption, which the deceased President had begun treating, and I hope this process continues. We have to be aware that this problem affects us all and all of Zambia's citizens have to feel a part of the fight against this reality.
The Church has done her share in promoting a democratic culture among the people, in collaboration with other Christian Churches as well. As Catholics, we are aware of the fact that evangelization implies every aspect of our lives.
The Church in Zambia began thanks to missionaries. How do local Catholics there live Jesus' call to evangelize the world?
The Church in Zambia is the fruit of missionary labor. We are eternally grateful to these brothers of ours who left their countries to come to this far-off land to bring the message of the Gospel. It is a historic gesture. Many missionaries have died in our country. We want to be inspired in following their example in the faith. We feel a part of the Universal Church and it is for this reason that we wish to follow Jesus' commandment to spread the Message to the ends of the world. We wish to bring the gift of the faith that we have received through our brothers. We live out our missionary vocation in Zambia, collaborating with the various dioceses, and outside our borders, sending priests even to Europe. The missionary demand is very present in our thoughts and we often ask ourselves how we can be true instruments of the evangelization.
In this missionary labor, the PMS have a central role to play...
The PMS collaborate with the Bishops of Zambia in the work of evangelization. I thank God for the gift to be able to serve as Director of the PMS, as it allows me to have a wider vision of the Church's challenges. I am confident in the Church's future in Zambia. We have many vocations to the priesthood and religious life and we are trying to make sure that these vocations receive an adequate formation. It is a challenge, but we could say that although the harvest is great, the workers also abound. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 12/11/2008)
