On
May 29, 2011, Bishop Evans Chinyama CHINYEMBA became the second Bishop of Mongu
diocese, the 149th Oblate of Mary Immaculate to become a bishop and
the 20th African-born bishop. Below is an excerpt of his remarks following his
episcopal ordination.
I come in humility to a land full of
potential--the province of my birth!
My birth in Lukulu and my upbringing have
taught me a lot about life and relationships. I am a witness to the growth of
the Church of Western Province and also the many dynamics that shape our lives
as a people. With this, I take up the role of leading the Church of Mongu
Diocese. We shall share the stories of Sikongo, stories that shape the lives of
the people of Kakwacha; we shall speak of Kashina Ng’ombe; we shall talk of the
life in Siyombo; we shall share of the life of the people of Longe and of
Likapai, of Nalonde and Muyondoti. That is our life. In humility we shall do
that which the Lord Jesus Christ is telling us to do for the Church, and for
the diocese. Above all, we shall be aware of what Jesus is telling each one of
us to be and do for the poor and the voiceless of our society. Listening to the
Words of Jesus, as recorded in the Scriptures given to me today, will help me
to do that what Jesus tells me to do.
I pledge myself to work with everyone in
the Diocese, both the Catholics and those from other denominations. I will work
with the deacons, the local clergy of the diocese, the laity, the religious men
and women in the diocese. My role will be that of a shepherd, a teacher in
communion with other bishops. I pledge myself to preserve unity in the Church.
Our life as Church is missionary in nature. I will promote missionary works
that leads to evangelization of peoples. Promotion of vocations will be
fundamental in the diocese.
I extend my working relationship also to
all the politicians that carry the political dispensation of our nation. My
role is to animate and shepherd. Be free to interact with me. Welcome to my
diocese, the Catholic Diocese of Mongu. Never be a stranger in this diocese. Let
us work together so that our diocese and province can graduate from being the
poorest and become like the rest of the provinces in the country. In fact, the
province in its richness has already contributed a lot to the nation by
providing leaders and other prominent persons who run the affairs of the
nation.
Our voices on the issues of development
will never be silenced. The Church’s voice will always be sound and clear when
it comes to issues of justice, peace, reconciliation, morality, development,
economics, education, health, and other issues that affect our people. The
people of Western province know the colour, shape, size and the taste of
development. When we come face to face with development, we shall not hesitate
to tell the nation that development has now visited us and has come to stay…. We
are still being called the poorest province in the nation; then how can we be
told that Western Province is experiencing development! My voice will be heard on
these issues. My voice will not be silent and silenced. To be silent on issues
affecting our people will be to betray what I have committed myself to today. I
might be young, yet I know what development looks like when it comes knocking
on our doors.
To the political leaders of the province, I
will be your frequent visitor to look at various issues that will bring about
good political dispensation in the province. I know that working together as
Church, the political leadership, government representatives and the Barotse Royal Establishment, we can achieve a lot for our province and also we can offer a lot
to the nation. We can no longer live together separately. … I shall speak, not
because there is a certain political party in power, but because in the
province there is the presence of the voiceless and poor. So, my voice will
always be there [whatever] ... parties we have in Zambia are in power. This is
a promise I make at this time. We shall never rest until our hearts rest in
real issues of our nation.
