Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema praised the strong partnership with the Catholic Church during the Chikuni Catholic Mission’s anniversary, emphasizing collaboration over competition. He assured support for the Church’s missions and services, reinforcing the importance of their alliance in tackling development challenges in the country.
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has recognized the enduring collaboration between the Catholic Church and his administration. While speaking at the 120th anniversary of the Chikuni Catholic Mission on March 16, he highlighted the importance of reinforcing their partnership, characterizing both entities as allies in development efforts rather than competitors.
President Hichilema remarked, “The Catholic Church and the government are development partners, we are not competitors. Continue with your missionary work, educational work, health service provision and we will do our part as government.” His comments underscore the need for cooperation in areas like healthcare and education, where both entities play significant roles.
To further strengthen this bond, he stated, “It is important that we advance the sense of partnership, which has endured many years and no one will break our partnership; the Catholic Church and the government will always be one and we will work together and I want to assure you that you have our full support.” This message highlights governmental backing for the church’s initiatives across the nation.
The president’s address also responded to an earlier remark made by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata regarding uneven development distributions in Zambia. This comment had received attention from the government’s Chief spokesperson, illustrating the challenges faced in ensuring equitable development throughout the country.
President Hakainde Hichilema’s remarks emphasize the vital collaboration between the Zambian government and the Catholic Church. He reinforced their partnership as essential for development, specifically in missions, education, and health services. This alliance aims to overcome challenges in equitable development in Zambia, highlighting the importance of solidarity and support between governmental and religious institutions.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
