Maravi

Maureen hails Catholic Church

Maureen hails Catholic Church
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Mon 14 June 2010, 04:00 CAT

MAUREEN Mwanawasa has said the role of the Catholic Church in both spiritual and developmental issues cannot be ignored.

Speaking during celebrations at Little Sisters of St Francis on Saturday at Maramba Parish in Libuyu, Maureen who is former first lady, said there was a lot of suffering in the world and the Catholic Church was doing a lot to help people.

“There are several programmes being run by the Church and timely advice and guidance being given to our leaders in the country. There is enough suffering on earth and the Church is mandated to be part of the solution. We have among ourselves street kids, orphans, widows, poverty-stricken households who need a helping hand,” she said.

She said serving the underprivileged in communities was not possible unless wealth creation is part of the agenda.

“The Little Sisters of St Francis have a particular role to play in this process in order to fulfill the gospel commission and commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ of caring for the underprivileged in our communities. We give glory to God for the Little Sisters of St Francis who have given their lives to taking care of both the spiritual and physical needs of the community they serve,” she said.

Maureen added that the Little Sisters of St Francis were making several interventions to change the living standards of the people.

“My encouragement to the Little Sisters of St Francis is simply do not give up doing what is fine. Nevertheless, serving God is not easy.”

She said that activities carried out by the Little Sisters of St Francis through the Catholic Church must also carry an economic component in order to create sustainability.

And Livingstone Catholic Church Bishop Raymond Mpezele said that was need to grow the spirit of service to serve the community effectively.

Bishop Mpezele said he normally wondered what was supposed to be on the top of the list when it comes to serving the community between resources and service.

“I sometimes ask myself what our priorities are in the need to serve the community and country. Yes resources and materials are needßed but before that, we need the spirit of service and that is the challenge we face in Zambia and Livingstone. Unless we grow the spirit of service even if we have material resource, people will not be serviced,” said Bishop Mpezele.

Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, MAUREEN

posted by MrK @ 11:51 AM