Maravi

There are still many problems in Zambia, says Girasoli

There are still many problems in Zambia, says Girasoli
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tue 03 Jan. 2012, 13:56 CAT

THERE are still many problems in Zambia that need urgent attention, says Archbishop Nicola Girasoli. Analysing his six-year tenure as Vatican Ambassador to Zambia, Archbishop Girasoli, who leaves Zambia this month, said many things had happened during his stay in Zambia. Archbishop Girasoli, 54, said poverty levels were still very high in the country.

"We cannot imagine a country that grows so fast but at the same time, the levels of poverty are still very high. This is an issue that should be addressed very openly. I repeated this to the head of state. I met him and very openly I addressed this with President Michael Sata and really I see consideration of my humble suggestion," he said.

"I am sad about leaving Zambia but we know in the diplomatic service that we have to leave at some point."

Archbishop Girasoli said he wanted to see a Zambia in future that had fewer poor people.

He said corruption in the last six years was something that everyone knew about and was very painful.

He said it must be understood that corruption is bad not only because it is bad to steal but because it damages a lot of people.

Archbishop Girasoli noted that the PF government had taken a very strong stand against corruption.

He said The Post had taught Zambians that pronouncements against corruption however big, were not enough and what was needed was concrete action.

"You need to act quickly and directly when cases are there," he said.

Archbishop Girasoli said President Sata won the September 20 elections because there was great worry in the nation that things were going wrong.

"Of course, corruption reached very high levels, which I think Zambians decided to give a U-turn on politics based on these issues. I am happy that the new government and President Sata understood this; he is aware of this and the action they are taking is to show the world that they are not sleeping on this subject. I think that this is one of the elements that is really in the hearts of Zambians," he said.

Archbishop Girasoli said the six years he had spent in Zambia were the most beautiful years of his life because it was the first time he was Apostolic Nuncio and Vatican Ambassador on the African continent.

He said the beauty of Zambia, which unfortunately was not very well known overseas, also impressed him.

"I have tried also to be an ambassador of the beauties of Zambia overseas during my holidays. I would go and even now I would say, ‘Go to Zambia, visit Zambia' because you have such striking natural beauty. Even myself before coming to Zambia, I didn't know and I think this needs to be known more to even attract more tourists," he said.

He hailed Zambians for being peaceful and mature.

Archbishop Girasoli said he was impressed with the cooperation among Christians in Zambia.

"What I found in Zambia, the way the three church mother bodies (Zambia Episcopal Conference, Council of Churches in Zambia and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia] collaborate and take the same approach on certain issues is unique. You cannot imagine this in Latin America, you cannot imagine this in any country in Europe where the Christian churches are competitors. Here there is unity and I have expressed this very openly even to my superior in Rome; that really this unity and collaboration among the three mother bodies helps a lot," he said.

Archbishop Girasoli also said he was deeply impressed by the freedom that the media enjoyed in Zambia.

"Of course, if we look at the last six years, we know very well that there were moments of tensions, misunderstandings, even between me and the government certain times. Because really, it is the freedom of press that gives life to democracy," he said.

On the political front, Archbishop Girasoli said there were many challenges in the last six years.

He cited the constitution-making process which he said was yet to be completed.

He also said there was need to improve rural hospitals by equipping them adequately.

Archbishop Girasoli said the Catholic Church was worried about education in rural areas although there had been some improvements in the number of children accessing education.

Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, POVERTY

posted by MrK @ 6:04 PM