The Zambia Conference for Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have expressed sadness over the death of the First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda.
ZCCB Archbishop of Kasama Ignatius Chama says the country has lost a freedom fighter, and a true statesman, who united the nation and rendered a selfless service to the country.
He stated that Dr Kaunda has left a legacy of unity of knitting the various tribes into a united country, as well as inspiring Zambians to celebrate their unity in diversity by following the One Zambia One Nation motto.
Reverend Chama added that Dr Kaunda was a Pan African leader who greatly cared for Africa and played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle of countries in Southern Africa and beyond.
‘’He led by example in terms of servant leadership and hard work, and he was never tired of preaching the primacy and significance of God’s and of one’s neighbor,’’ he said.
We therefore convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family, President Edgar Lungu and his government as well as the people of Zambia who are mourning his demise,’’ stressed Rev. Chama.
He further encouraged the people of Zambia to mourn the fallen hero, by embracing the national values of love, peace and unity which he labored to inculcate into the fabric of the nation.
‘’Our prayer is that the good Lord may reward and receive him into his heavenly kingdom for the valuable services rendered to his beloved country, the African continent and the world at large. We also commend him to God’s mercy for all the failings he might have committed,’’
‘’Comforted by the words in the scriptures that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (I Thess. 4:14b), we call upon the Kaunda family and the entire nation to remain united in prayer and strengthen one another in faith.
Late President Kenneth Kaunda died on June 17, 2021 at Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for pneumonia.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS today by ZCCB Archbishop of Kasama Rev. Ignatius Chama.
Meanwhile, Catholic Diocese of Solwezi Bishop Charles Kasonde has described late first Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda as a patriot, who worked tirelessly for Zambia and its people.
Bishop Kasonde said that Dr Kaunda will be fondly remembered and honoured for leading the emancipation of Zambia from independence in 1964, and ensuring that freedom and peace defined the existence of the entire nation.
“Whenever he moved you would see him waving with a white piece of cloth. The handkerchief signaling purity and peace, the peace that he stood for.
We mourn his passing on to the heavenly spheres, because he was the nation’s founding father and a great leader at that.” Bishop Kasonde said.
Bishop Kasonde noted that Dr Kaunda continued being a father to the nation, even after he retired from politics, and also constantly offered himself to consultation, from both political players from within the country and beyond.
The Bishop explained that, although Dr Kaunda is gone, the country will remain with his good attributes, which include standing for the promotion of peace and tranquility across the African continent.
He said the late Dr Kaunda was a Pan-African, who inspired millions on the African continent and fought for the freedom of many of Zambia’s neighbouring countries.
Bishop Kasonde added that a number of countries have shared the fruits of his labour as a result of his generosity and availability, stating that Zambians are proud to be aligned with the success of the first Republican President.
Interesting. During his reign the catholic church was vehimently opposed KK. And now they are on his side….. Like the PF: Lying about everything, not delivering anything!
In death ,only God is a judge. When one dies ,we are only reminded of the good and we leave the bad for God to judge. That has always been our tradition.
Even when Ecl goes to sleep, the same will apply.
The job of the church is to criticize politicians where they go wrong and the Catholic Church has done very well in this regard. Remember that ECL, as Home Affairs Minister then, even deported Catholic Priest Banyangadora who merely reminded the govt about the poverty people were living in. Keep it Catholic Priests.