AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Covid-19: the Church promotes a radio program of spiritual and psychological assistance

Monday, 31 August 2020 catholic radios coronavirus local churches

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Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) - Amidst the effects of Covid-19 on people, the Pastoral department for Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has launched a counselling and radio-based group therapy program.
The program dubbed Tele and Radio Counselling is aimed at helping the people that are infected or affected with the effects of the pandemic.
ZCCB National Biblical and Liturgical Coordinator Fr. Jonas Phiri who has confirmed the development said that the program has been initiated with support from AMECEA Secretariat’s Pastoral Department.
"We have initiated this program after looking at how we can be of service to the people during this Covid-19 pandemic, apart from the materials support that the Church has been giving out. We want to encouraging share of experiences, to listen to one another, to provide comfort and speak a word of hope to the infected and affected. This program is targeted at everyone, not only Catholics", Fr. Jonas said.
The weekly Tele and Radio Counselling hosted on Radio Maria Yatsani Voice broadcasts to Lusaka and beyond.
There are plans to spread the reach of the program to the other parts of the country.
Fr. Phiri has disclosed that people are excited and have welcomed the initiative which will run for 4 months because they now have someone they can talk to in confidence on the effects of Cid-19 and related issues.
So far 12,025 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Zambia, with 287 deaths and 11,454 people hospitalized. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 31/8/2020)