Republic of Zambia Speech by His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the republic of Zambia, at the Commissioning of the Bishop John Osmers House of the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia Sunday, 25th April, 2021

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State House Lusaka

• Eastern Province Minister, Hon. Makebi Zulu, MP;
• National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister, Hon. Rev. Godfridah Sumaili, MP;
• Presidential Affairs Minister, Hon. Freedom Sikazwe;
• Other Cabinet Ministers present;
• Senior Government officials;
• Your Worship, The Mayor of The City of Chipata;
• Your Grace The Most Reverend Albert Chama, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of Central Africa;
• Right Reverend William Mchombo – Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia;
• John Osmers, Retired Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia;
• Members of the Clergy;
• Distinguished guests;
• Ladies and gentlemen.

It is my honour to have this opportunity to join christians in eastern province on this historical occasion, “The silver Jubilee celebration for the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia and The Commissioning of The Bishop John Osmers House.”

Your Grace,

My Bishops,

The commissioning of the Bishop John Osmers House of the Anglican Diocese signifies that the Eastern Diocese has not only grown in the number of years but in deeds as well.  We are not only celebrating the years you have been an independent diocese but also your works which you have continued to carryout in order to uplift peoples’ lives.  For this i wish to sincerely commend the Anglican Church.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Anglican Church’s first mission was at St. Paul’s here in Eastern Province in 1905 before moving on to Mambwe District, Mapanza in Southern Province and Fiwila in Central Province.  However, Eastern Province was under the Diocese of Lusaka until 1995 when it was established as a diocese with the Right Reverend John Osmers as the bishop.

Today’s celebration, therefore, is testimony of the growth of the diocese which has been achieved through the power and mercy of god.  This should give the church the confidence and courage to continue with good works, small as they may seem, in seeking god’s intervention for sustained national peace, unity and prosperity of our country Zambia.

Your Grace,

My bishops,

My government is grateful for the work that the church has been undertaking since its establishment in the country.  The church has been actively working with government in the provision of quality education and health services.

We in government are appreciative of the schools that you are running which have produced eminent people who have contributed immensely to the development of this country.  The products of the renowned St. Mary’s then and Saint Luke’s today, as well as Saint Francis in Msoro, have gone on to become top civil servants.

Some of the alumni include former Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Robert Mataka, former Maina Soko Military Hospital Commandant, Dr. Freda Kazembe, and former ZESCO managing director, Mr. John Kaluzi.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

In the health sector, Saint Francis Hospital in Katete, for instance, does not only serve the people of eastern province but people of Mozambique and Malawi.

The Anglican Church has been involved in providing timely counsel to government on various topical issues. You have engaged government past and present on various topical issues affecting the country.

The famous Cathedral of the Holy Cross meeting in the early 1990s between president Kenneth Kaunda and the opposition, led by Dr Frederick Chiluba, who later became president, was facilitated by the Anglican Church.

I wish to commend you, for the silent diplomacy approach you have adopted in engaging government.  That is how it should be, and I pray that you will continue, especially this year as we prepare for the General Elections which will be held on 12th august, 2021.

Your Grace,

My Bishops,

It is my prayer that the church will continue to lead the nation in prayers for peaceful and fair elections.  Pray for everyone in leadership at all levels — political leaders, the clergy, the family and the community.  Let our faith be anchored firmly in god that he, and he alone, will bring everlasting peace, unity and prosperity to our motherland Zambia.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

Government is grateful for the works the church is involved in.  Government is committed to support you in this noble cause.  Your works, as I said earlier, supplement government efforts and we will, therefore, not relent in providing the support you need in accordance with the overall government policy.  I wish to encourage you to continue working in communities to fulfil your mandate of being the salt of the world.

I also invite you to partner with my government in promoting the national values and principles as enshrined in the constitution.  The church is cardinal in inculcating values among the citizens.  I wish to call upon the church to work with my government, to inculcate the values and principles in order to transform citizen’s lives for a better Zambia.

Your grace,

My bishops,

I know that the church is already involved in one way or another in addressing some of the vices the nation is grappling with.  These include:

1. Ending early marriages: the girl child should be protected from dropping out of school at an early age.  Children should be given an opportunity to pursue their dreams and actualise their potential by attending school; and
2. Alcoholism, drug and substance abuse: this vice has been on the increase.  With your prayers and counselling programmes, many of our young people can be assisted to avoid being addicts.

Your grace,

My bishops,

Let me pay special tribute to Bishop John Osmers for being an ardent freedom fighter for the liberation of Southern Africa and being the first bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Zambia.

During your reign as bishop, you started this sustainability programme.  You acquired a number of housing units in order to be self-sustaining.  You supported and continue to support the under-privileged in society, especially, with tertiary education.  I understand that you have also dedicated your time working with people who have been displaced in their own countries.  Indeed, you have touched many lives.

Let me also pay special tribute to the current bishop of Eastern Zambia, Bishop William Mchombo for continuing strengthening this resolve of sustainability by constructing this structure, which will generate income for the diocese.

The need for hard work in the country for all institutions and individuals cannot be overemphasised.  It is through hard work and such initiatives that the church can be self-sustaining and an example to all on how to pray and be relevant to the community.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

As I conclude, I wish to congratulate the bishop, the clergy and lay faithful of the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia for the 25 years of service and witness, after being delinked from the Diocese of Lusaka.  Also, I wish to reiterate my call to the church to continue providing counsel to the government and our colleagues in the opposition prior, during and after the General Election slated for 12th August 2021.

Zambia is bigger than anyone individual, therefore, we should endeavour to protect the peace and unity of this nation.  Let us not resort to violence no matter what happens.  Let us condemn violence in all its forms.  Let us live our faith wherever we are, in church, at work, at home and in our various social gatherings.

It is my prayer that this occasion will be one to strengthen our faith to boldly face any challenges with hope through prayer and fellowship.

May the almighty god bless our country.

 

May the almighty god bless us all.

I thank you.