Zambia: The Diocese of Solwezi commissions new Justice and Peace members

Fr. Wilbroad Musonda – Solwezi.

Bishop Kasonde stressed the importance of facts backed by research as a benchmark for justice and peace advocacy and promotion, in the Diocese of Solwezi.  The Bishop said this when he commissioned fifteen men and women during the Mass at the diocese’s St Daniel Cathedral Parish.

Beware of social media

“In this era of social media where a lot of news stories are flooding social media platforms, some of which may not be true, those involved in finding solutions to challenges on issues of justice and peace in society must carry out detailed research that is based on facts before coming out with a final report,” said Bishop Kasonde in his homily. 

The Catholic Diocese of Solwezi Bishop, who is also AMECEA Chairperson, cautioned the new commissioners when against using information posted on social media without recourse to verifiable research from credible sources.

In cautioning the new commissioners, the Bishop stressed that reliance on social media-generated information could compromise their advocacy and findings. The Bishop further noted that mediocre, compromised and substandard reports yield findings that negate real and tangible solutions to matters of justice and peace.

Newly commissioned CCJP members in Solwezi Diocese

Accompanied by the Holy Sprit

Solwezi Diocesan Coordinator for the CCJP informed the Bishop that the newly commissioned members had undergone a thorough and rigorous formation that equipped them with the right tools for their mission.

“We have no doubt in our minds that the candidates now have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their mandate to promote and advocate for justice and peace in line with Catholic Social Teaching,” he said.

Bishop Kasonde invoked the Holy Spirit to descend upon the new commissioners and to accompany their evangelical mission of promoting and defending the dignity and rights of all within the Diocese. 

During the commissioning, the candidates recited the Justice and Peace Prayer of Faith and Commitment, by which they dedicated them to work for justice, peace, and wholeness.

Finally, they were blessed and commissioned as fully fledged CCJP memebers. The fifteen members were drawn from different parishes of Solwezi Diocese and comprised 6 women and 9 men. They were presented with a certificate, IDs, and the Justice and Peace Constitution.

Rigorous training, study and research

Earlier in the year, the CCJP Parish Candidates underwent structured training as a pre-requisite to their commissioning. The content of their formation, consisted of four modules: Spirituality of Justice, Economic Justice, Parliamentary Liaison, and cross-cutting issues that include education, health, agriculture, environment, and religion, among others.

As part of their research project, the fifteen members were guided as they work on an investigative project entitled, “An Investigation into the non-maintenance of the Kimiteto high-cost graveyard: A case Study of Solwezi Municipal Council, 2020.”