On 23 March 2020 we put our Bishop Justin Mulenga to rest. Our bishop died in UTH (Lusaka) on 20 March. He succumbed to a heart and kidney related illness which he was aware of and managing.

The plane with his body arrived at noon at Chibansa airfield in Mpika. The body was brought to the cathedral and received by Archbishop Ignatius Chama. The faithful had ample time to pray and pay their respects to our late bishop. Because of COVID19 restrictions there were hourly masses with up to 50 participants the whole night through.

The next morning 24 March, the funeral mass was said, presided by Archbishop Chama in the presence of the following bishops: Bishop Patrick Chisanga (Mansa), Bishop Charles Kasonde (Solwezi), Bishop Valentine Kalumba (Livingstone), Bishop Moses Hamongolu (Monze), Bishop Evans Chinyimba (Mongu), Bishop Clement Mulenga (Kabwe) and Bishop George Lungu (Chipata). Government officials were present as well as many faithful who were sitting ourside and listeing over speakers to the ceremony. After Holy Mass the burial took place right next to the Cathedral. May the soul of our bishop rest in the peace of Christ our saviour.

On Thursday the 7th of April Bishop Justin Mulenga blessed the new classrooms at Mulanga Basic School. The project of building a new 1 x 3 classroom block at Mulanga has thus come to a successful conclusion. It was funded by DESWOS, Germany and Bridge of Friendship (BOF), Germany.

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Coat of Arms of Bishop Mulenga

On Saturday 12 March 2016, Fr. Justin Mulenga was consecrated Bishop and enthroned as Bishop of Mpika. For the impressive ceremony it seemed as if the whole of Zambia had come to celebrate the event, from the Republican President himself, members of the the PF government, traditional rulers, local government officials, members of the armed forces, the bishops from Zambia and Tanzania, priests, religious and hundreds of the laity. The liturgy was solemn and very colorful, with the Stella Girls and the Buomba dancing.

The highlight of the ceremony was the ordination and enthronement of the Right Rev. Justin Mulenga, as Bishop of Mpika and a great shout of joy went up as he was enthroned. His consecrators were Archbishop Chama, chief consecrator, assisted by Bishop Lungu from Chipata and Bishop Chisenga from Mansa.

Holy Mass endet at 13 hrs. followed by the presentation of gifts and after the ceremony over 300 invited guests were entertained to a sumptuous lunch in the grounds of the diocese (canteen and new parish hall).

The Podium of Bishops

Pope Francis received the Bishops of Zambia on Monday who are in Rome on their Ad Limina Visit. In his remarks to the group the Pope spoke about the importance of the family and the need to reach out to the poorest and most afflicted and in society. He also spoke to the Bishops about encouraging young people to play an active role in the life of the Church.

Our Bishops in Rome

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On Sunday the 26th of October, Mr. Lonnie Dow Porter III died in Chilonga at his home, after a long struggle with Prostate cancer. He was put to rest on Friday the 31st of October in Chilonga cemetery. Lonnie worked for many years for Mpika Diocese as a builder and constructor. He built, for example, the Church at Kopa Musumba. Lonnie was born on 29 January 1945 in Selma, Alabama in the USA.

Lonnie on the day of his wedding

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With deep regret we announce the death of Fr. Patrick Chibuye Mukuka Mpepo. He died in the early hours of Tuesday, April 2, 2014 in Lusaka, where he had gone for treatment.

Father Patrick was born on 22 October 1973 and ordained by Archbishop T-G. Mpundu in St. Monica (Tazara) on 12 July 2003. He served as Parish Priest at St. Joseph`s Cathedral from 2005-2007, then in Mulilansolo from 2007-2008. He was Caritas Mpika Director from June 2009 to July 2013. At the same time he was also the Diocesan Health Coordinator.

Fr. Chibuye (3rd left) at his ordination

His Ordination motto was: “Neci calenga nokuti Umutima wandi uletasha Lesa” (Lk 1:46)

May his Soul rest in Peace.

Funeral Mass will be on Friday, 4 April at St. Monica’s, Tazara, starting at 9:00 hrs, followed by the burial at Chilonga

The funeral House is St. Monica, old Church (hall). We expect the body by tomorrow, 3 April at around 18:00 hrs. There will be a memorial service, as soon as the body is in.

Fr. Kashimoto R.I.P.

With deep regret we announce the death of Fr. Muba Daniel Kashimoto our Vicar General. Fr. Kashimoto died on 1st January 2014 at around 18.40 hrs. in the evening after a long struggle with cancer. Fr. Daniel was born on 12 March 1963 in Chayansa (Chief Kabinga’s area) and was ordained priest on 25 August 1990 in Kopa. As a priest he stayed in Mpulungu (1990-1992), in St. Andrew’s, Mpika (1992-1994), Kayambi (1994-1999), Isoka, St. Marc’s (1999-2001), Chilonga (2001-2002) and Mulilansolo (2002-2007). From July 2007 to October 2013 he served as Pastoral Coordinator of the diocese. on 21 April 2012 he was appointed Vicar General by the apostolic administrator, Archbishop Ignatius Chama.

The requiem Mass is on Saturday, 4 January at St. Joseph’s Cathedral followed by his burial in Chilonga cemetery. May his soul rest in peace.

Fr. Muba, front, during the opening of Tazara

On Sunday the 15th of December 2013 Archbishop Ignatius Chama blessed the new Tazara Church dedicated to St. Monica. Thousands of people were present and filled the big new Church, they were even sitting outside and standing on the walls and between the pews. It was a moving service, many had never experienced the consecration of a new church: The knocking at the door of the new church, ” be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD…”; the blessing of the Church inside-out with holy water, the consecration of the altar with holy Chrism oil, the incensing of the entire building, the lighting of the candles on the alter and the 12 lamp-stands; all very solemn and edifying. Even the many children were attentively following the ceremony only to fall into slumber again during the sermon…

Many kids watched the event

Bishop addressing the faithful

Procession from the old to the new Church

Entering St. Monica

The faithful were very happy and thanked the bishop for this new church, made possible through the contribution of our trusted donors from the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Church-in-Need in Königstein, the Fürstenberg Trust and others. Thank you very much for help and support, it made this new church possible.

Outgoing Parish Priest P.Bwalya (3rd left)

Consecration of the Altar

Incense

Filled to capacity

Archbishop Chama thanked the faithful for their contribution and help as well as Lwanga Contruction Ltd. the builders of the church for their workmanship and finishing standards. The pictures show the joy and solemnity of the event.

Stella Girls dancing

Thanking the Lord

On Sunday the 24th November around 15 hrs a heavy rainstorm passed Nabwalya. So strong was the rain, that the area flooded immediately. This was accompanied by strong gusts of wind and a storm. So much rain in a very short time!

The wind took away the roof of Nabwalya school, as shown in the pictures below. Let’ s hope this rainy season will not bring more of these anomalies.

Zur Zeit ist es superheiß in Zambia. Mit den Freiwilligen Esther Ludwig und Joshua Hemcke sind wir nach Nabwalya gefahren. Es war superheiß, eine richtige Affenhitze, wie es auf dem Bild zu sehen ist. Ein köstlicher Anblick der sich uns da bot!

Affenhitze in Nabwalya