Maravi

Catholic priest questions huge gap between rich and poor

Catholic priest questions huge gap between rich and poor
By George Zulu in Monze
Tue 07 Sep. 2010, 14:00 CAT

A CATHOLIC priest Constantino Cheepa has observed that the disparity between the poor and the rich in Zambia is too huge and unacceptable.

During the thanksgiving mass held in chief Chona’s area on Sunday, Fr Cheepa said the disparity between the rich and the poor in the country was too wide, subsequently leading to high poverty levels.

He said as a Christian nation, Zambians needed to work together in order to address the high poverty levels.

Fr Cheepa said the need to address the current poverty levels in the country was evident going by the discontent and frustration among the people.

“It has become very clear that among us worshipers and non-worshipers some of you are ‘stinking’ rich. You have amassed a lot of wealth. It is again true that among us here there are people who are ‘stinking’ poor and this is unacceptable in this world,” Fr Cheepa said.

He said it was sad that Africa and Zambia in particular had not taken an initiative to address poverty by investing in rural development and the people.

Fr Cheepa said developing an area did not require one to become a member of parliament, councillor or businessman.

He said development could take place through concerted efforts but it was regrettable that many people were preoccupied with enriching themselves.

He said it was sad that some people would soon flock to the area promising people development and other things as the country headed to the polls.

However, he advised people to be wary of such individuals because they were “bad neighbours.”

“A good neighbour will always think about others and it is also true that a bad neighbour is a danger to development. The solar panel being put at this school today should be taken care of. You should not be like a neighbour who decides to buy many shoes without considering others then you should know that the money he is using is stolen money and that will bring discontent among the people and himself,” said Fr Cheepa.

Solar panels worth US $10,000 have been mounted at Chona Basic School with the help of a Canadian Non-Governmental Organisation, Global-Light Project in partnership with Matantala Rural Integrated Development Enterprise (M-RIDE).

Labels: CONSTANTINO CHEEPA, POVERTY, SOLAR ENERGY

posted by MrK @ 4:17 PM