Maravi

Development is moving at a very slow pace, bemoans Bishop Lungu

Development is moving at a very slow pace, bemoans Bishop Lungu
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tuesday April 15, 2008 [04:00]

ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu has said people do not need to wait for another election for them to see development. And Bishop Lungu has urged leaders to reflect on how they serve people. Bishop Lungu, who was represented by Chipata Catholic Diocese vicar general Fr Wilfred Phiri during the Good Shepherd Sisters (GSS) profession vows in Petauke last Sunday, said the church would not stop crying to the government over the need to foster development in the country.

"There are lots of vices that negatively affect people. Hunger, bad roads, HIV/AIDS and Satanism are all in our midst," Bishop Lungu said. "We will not stop complaining to government because our development has not reached an advanced stage.

There is still more which needs to be done, that's why we are still crying to government on issues of electricity in hospitals and schools. And when we ask like this we are not asking for free favours, but these are things that have been paid for.

"Development is moving at a very slow pace in Eastern Province. We don't know whether we should wait for another election for us to see development?"

Bishop Lungu further said traditional and church leaders should not work in isolation if they were to raise genuine issues that affected people.

"When we fail as traditional and church leaders to sit together and look at the problems that are affecting our people, Satan takes advantage and confuses us more. That's why every time we have only one person doing spot patching on our roads," he said.

And Bishop George Lungu urged leaders, at all levels, to reflect on their service to the nation.

"There are so many things that happen resulting from the leaders' behaviour. If you are a doctor, why is it that some patients request to be discharged while they are still on a drip? If you are a politician, why is that you always change political parties? If you are a teacher why is it that pupils want to be transferred from your school? Even me, I will ask the priests on how I am serving them," Bishop Lungu said.

He also said leaders should reflect on the delay by Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to pay off the farmers.

"People grew maize quite alright. They sold it, now they are not paid. Over four months have gone. I think it is better to give them back so that they eat," he said.

Bishop Lungu advised the sisters to persevere in their religious life.
"According to the Pope’s message, if you have accepted God's calling then you have also accepted sufferings. The only way to promote vocation was through perseverance," said Bishop Lungu.

Labels: DEVELOPMENT, GEORGE LUNGU

posted by MrK @ 5:27 AM