COMMENT - The cause of these 'imbalances' is the non-collection of taxes from the mines. Collect $1.3 bilion (or nationalize and, and collect at least $3 billion in taxes a year), and there will be plenty of money to invest in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and a lean, decentralized government. This will create more jobs than the mines ever can, by a factor of 10 or 20. That is the way forward, and it starts with collecting the taxes that are due from the mines.
Let's make 2012 our year, a year for Zambia
By The Post
Wed 04 Jan. 2012, 14:00 CAT
WE have carried many deficiencies, challenges, problems and injustices from the previous years into this year. Clearly, 2012 will not be a year of ease or resting but for incessant striving so that those in our political leadership may fulfil the pledges they have so often taken to lift our people out of misery, out of poverty.
This year should be dedicated to addressing the challenges and problems of the millions of our suffering fellow citizens. This year must be dedicated to ending poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.
The ambition of the founders of our Republic has been to wipe out poverty from every household and ensure that every one of us lives a dignified life. That may be beyond us this year, but as long as there are fellow citizens living in abject poverty, in misery, as long as there is suffering, our work should not be over.
And so this year we have to labour and work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams. This year, 2012, is no year for petty and destructive politics, it's no time for ill-will. We cannot encourage Bantustan-like politics and narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great and overcome its challenges and problems whose people and leaders are narrow in thought or in actions.
We have hard work ahead, there should be no resting for any of us till we overcome the challenges and problems facing our people, till we make all the people of Zambia what destiny intended them to be.
The future beckons to us. Wither do we go and what shall be our endeavour? To bring justice and prosperity to the poor of our country; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman, to every boy and girl, to every baby in our country.
We must hold together, and all our petty troubles and difficulties and conflicts must be ended in this new year. We have to behave like strong and determined people, determined to face all perils that surround us.
And we shouldn't forget that whatever the trials and the tests ahead of us in this new year, the ultimate strength of our country will lie in the unity of our people. Therefore, we should put the unity of our people first and put it ahead of any divisive Bantustan-like politics.
So, we urge all Zambians, whatever their personal interest or concern, to guard against divisiveness and all its ugly consequences. What we won when all our people united just must not now be lost in selfishness among any of our people. We have to build a nation where fairness, justice, humaneness and prosperity prevail.
Of course, this dream, this desire brings responsibilities and burdens on us and our leaders and we have to face them in the spirit of an honest disciplined people. We all know, at least by now, that this country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless it is a good place for all of us to live in.
And as Archbishop Nicola Girasoli has observed, "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 if peace and justice are to reign in our country.
The causes of these imbalances or inequalities have to be addressed. If peace is to reign in our country, all injustices must be eradicated. And it is important to maintain and strengthen the democratic structures if we are to enjoy a peaceful and developing future.
All injustices have to be addressed. We have to deal with all the injustices against women and children. There is need to empower our women and enable them to participate in decision-making processes in our country.
We must also undertake the training of youth from all social backgrounds if we are to produce the kind of men and women so desperately needed by our age. Education of our youth is a critical challenge facing our nation today and we must pay maximum attention to it in this new year.
We should also pay attention to our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are fully human subjects, with rights and duties. They should participate in every dimension of family and social life. We are all created in the image and likeness of God.
The dignity of each one of us is sacred, inalienable and must be respected. The rights of the differently-abled must be promoted with effective and appropriate measures. We should accept physically and mentally handicapped people as full members of our community.
People with disabilities need to love and to be loved. There must be justice, fairness and humaneness in all that we do, including in our work places. The rights of workers, like all rights, are based on the nature of the human person and on his or her transcendent dignity.
Among these rights are: a just wage; a work environment not harmful to the workers' physical health or their moral integrity and social security. Remuneration for work should guarantee people a dignified livelihood for themselves and their families.
Government should regulate industry and commerce to protect workers' rights and to curb exploitation. In this year, we should also not forget to care for the environment. Our country is endowed with natural resources. Unfortunately, we have not taken the best care of this environment on which we depend for our survival. A responsible and respectful use of the environment should be an urgent duty for all of us in 2012.
Therefore, we must all collaborate in the care for the environment. Responsibility for the environment extends also to the needs of the future. We must show respect for the integrity of creation.
In this new year, the government should intervene and regulate the economy, more especially the agricultural sector, in order to ensure adequate supplies of food, and also to ensure just remuneration for all those who labour to feed the nation.
Food is the most important element in any economy. Consequently, the arrangement to make food available to all people should take on a very high priority in a well-ordered society.
In this year, we should conclude the work on our new constitution. The constitution of a country is a national document of the highest importance. As the supreme law of the land, it must be recognised and respected as embodying the sovereign will of the majority of the people. The pursuit of justice must be a fundamental norm of the state.
The foundation of good government must be established on a sound basis of laws. The problem of HIV and AIDS will continue to be with us in 2012 as it was in the previous years.
HIV and AIDS are damaging the fabric of human life. If we do not take serious responsibility and personal engagement to stop the spread of this virus, our future is in peril. The battle against AIDS ought to be everyone's battle in 2012. The basic human attitude required in the present circumstances are: chastity, responsible sexual behaviour; education, especially of the youth, who are particularly vulnerable; loving care; acceptance and support of people with AIDS.
We also need to see more corporate social responsibility in 2012. The motive of business should be not only to make profit but even more to contribute to the common good of society.
In 2012, our businesses should be characterised by their capacity to serve the common good of society. The sense of responsibility in economic initiative should demonstrate the individual and social virtues necessary for development. A business enterprise must be a community of solidarity.
The roles of business owners and management have a central importance from the viewpoint of society, because they are at the heart of that network of technical, commercial, financial and cultural bonds that characterise the modern business reality.
For this reason, the exercise of responsibility by business owners and management requires constant reflection on the moral motivations that should guide the personal choices of those on whom these tasks fall.
In this new year, we would like to see our civil society and citizens take up their duties seriously. In civil society, people come together with different interests to work for the common good. All citizens are called to participate actively and responsibly in civil society in 2012. Government and civil society should co-operate together. Individual citizens are obliged to make their specific contributions to the common good.
We citizens can make a difference if we get fully involved in the affairs of our country. This is the only way we can address challenges and problems of poverty and injustice in our country.
Let's make 2012 our year, a year for Zambia.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, TAXATION, WINDFALL TAX
Read more...
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
Read more...
Girasoli advises against selective justice delivery
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Fri 30 Dec. 2011, 13:58 CAT
ZAMBIA still has a long way to go in ensuring equality of all citizens before the law, says Archbishop Nicola Girasoli.
In an interview, Archbishop Girasoli the outgoing Vatican Ambassador to Zambia, said equality of all citizens before the law was an aspect that needed urgent attention in the country.
He said during his six-year tenure in Zambia, he had visited prisons and most cases for people in remand were not even considered.
Archbishop Girasoli said this situation needed to be addressed because prisons were overcrowded.
He said there was fear and sensation that if a person did not have a good lawyer, his or her case would never be solved.
"And unfortunately, people who have never been involved in any kind of judiciary process don't feel this problem but I have seen a very large part of society, a very much strong demand for this equality," he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said there was need to improve the image of the judiciary in the country.
"It's only those with money that have good access to justice and we have thousands of people who have cases that have not been dealt with, with some of them in prison while those with money are free on bail. But also in the civil judiciary system, there are a lot of people that really don't see their cases solved. When they start a case, maybe it may take years. Equality before the law is a very strong human right because this is what protects the minority. If you don't feel equal before the law, you are second-class citizens," Archbishop Girasoli said.
He said he had often raised the issue of equality before the law but it did not receive the required attention.
Archbishop Girasoli hoped that the judicial system in the country could be improved by, among other things, appointing enough judges and having rights incorporated in the new constitution.
Labels: JUDICIARY, NICOLA GIRASOLI, PRISONS
Read more...
Life in compounds frustrating - Girasoli
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Wed 26 Oct. 2011, 15:50 CAT
LIFE in the compounds can be very frustrating, says Archbishop Nicola Girasoli. Delivering a homily at Saint Paul's Parish Church in Lusaka's Chipata compound on Sunday, the Vatican Ambassador to Zambia said there was a lot of frustration in the compounds due to lack of jobs, electrical problems and poor sanitation.
Archbishop Girasoli said there was also overcrowding, making it very uncomfortable for many houses, especially in the rainy season.
"The temptations and the challenges in a compound are very strong and some of us may be tempted to choose and to do wrong things. Be strong and avoid bad ways. Especially you my dear young people, be strong. Say no to alcoholism and sexual promiscuity. Avoid behaviour that can compromise your health and your future. Act always according to the Lord, and to the Gospel. The Parish is here in this compound to give and to strengthen your hope. Be hopeful and patient, life will change…," Archbishop Girasoli said.
He also said this year's 47th independence anniversary celebrations were very special because they followed closely the peaceful tripartite elections held on
September 20, where Zambians elected a new President and a new government.
Archbishop Girasoli said in democracy, peaceful political changes were always a sign of growth and maturity.
"Let us pray that our government leaders will interpret and fulfil the expectations of changes that Zambians expressed with their votes, keeping unity and peace as the pillars of our democracy. Dear brothers and sisters in this feast of 47th year of independence, while we are in celebration of our freedom, and we look at the past at the glorious days which brought freedom to this Zambia, but we are also called to look forward with hope, working together for building a better and a greater Zambia, and committing ourselves to do our best to contribute to eradicate poverty and help those in need," he said.
And Archbishop Girasoli said this year's theme for the World Mission Sunday was based on the two great commandments of love: to love God and to love one's brothers and sisters.
"To love God means to belong to Him, without mediocrity, without any measurement. To love means to overcome any kind of indifferent attitude towards our brothers and sisters. In fact, we are called to love God through our brothers and sisters because God is in and with them. They are, as all of us, children of God," said Archbishop Girasoli.
Labels: CHIPATA, NICOLA GIRASOLI, POVERTY
Read more...
Unite, Girasoli urges Catholics
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 15 June 2011, 05:30 CAT
THE Vatican envoy to Zambia has urged the Catholic Church to remain united ahead of this year?s general elections. Archbishop Nicola Girasoli said the strength of the church was anchored on its unity. Ambassador Girasoli made the remarks during the blessing and consecration of the new St Lawrence Catholic Church in Lusaka's Kamwala South last Sunday.
?Unity is the strength we have as the Catholic in Zambia and the world. Even in the face of problems, we should always remain attached to our church,? Archbishop Girasoli said.
He assured the congregants who had gathered to witness the consecration ceremony that the Holy Spirit was always with them even in the midst of challenges and controversies.
?We as Catholics are full of hope. Let us remain united even as the country goes to the polls,? Archbishop Girasoli said.
And Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe said the Catholic Church in Zambia had experienced the fastest numerical growth.
However, he said the numerical growth experienced over the years was not enough unless it were accompanied by maturity in faith.
?We need to remain attached to our faith at all times. Let us be Catholics in everything, continuing with the works of compassion and evangelising,? said Cardinal Mazombwe.
Good Sheppard Catholic Church Kabwata Parish council chairperson, Fidelis Chisenga, said the opening of St Lawrence Parish marked a milestone in evangelisation of Good Sheppard Parish, the overseer of the new parish.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, NICOLA GIRASOLI
Read more...
There’s a limit to oppression, says Mutesa
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thu 21 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT
THE freedom of human beings cannot be suppressed forever, says Dr Fred Mutesa. Commenting on Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Archbishop Nicola Girasoli’s statement on Tuesday that the recent events in Africa had shown the world that the culture of repression had definitely failed and that people especially the youths were becoming more and more aware that democracy was based on participation and respect for diversity, Dr Mutesa who is Zambians for Empowerment and Development president said human beings were created to be free.
“In this case, freedom means to be free of many things like poverty and rid ourselves of corrupt governments because within each one of us, there is a longing for a further kinder and more just world,” he said.
He agreed with Archbishop Girasoli and said leaders on the continent needed to look again at how they were conducting themselves.
Dr Mutesa said leaders should not take people for granted because there was a limit to which people could be oppressed without reacting.
He said the recent events in Africa were a timely lesson for those who think they had it in their bags. Dr Mutesa said there were many unmet needs in the country and the government should not brag with propaganda that it was doing much.
“People are seeing how those in leadership are acquiring wealth which they cannot account for and abusing power such as changing laws to dictate the fight against corruption and wasting enormous public resources on a constitution-making exercise which they knew from the beginning had no hope for success,” he said.
He said the people of Zambia would one day call them to account for everything.
Dr Mutesa said Zambians were observing the recent events in Africa and learning that it was possible to free themselves of corrupt and inept governments.
And Dr Mutesa said the new wave of democracy posed a serious challenge to all aspiring leaders and leaders needed to understand what people were longing for and harness the capacities and potentials of the people to bring about progressive change.
“So it’s all about increased freedoms, better governance. In short, I would say people are looking for authentic and genuine leadership so you can’t conduct politics in the same old way of name-calling and attacking one another,” he said.
He said there was need to pay special attention to the needs of young people whose views of the world had greatly expanded as a result of the revolution in information, communication technologies such as social media.
Dr Mutesa said young people need employment, better training opportunities and an assured future.
Labels: FRED MUTESA, NICOLA GIRASOLI
Read more...
Girasoli calls for more effort in poverty reduction
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sat 25 Dec. 2010, 04:01 CAT
IT is unfortunate that the gap between the rich and the poor is noticed more during great feasts like Christmas, says the Vatican envoy. In his Christmas message, Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli said more concrete steps and actions needed to be taken in order to reduce the gap between the poor and rich people.
Archbishop Girasoli said this was so considering the favourable economic trends that had benefited Zambia this year and the consistent GDP growth the country had achieved.
“Especially during the great feasts like Christmas we notice more how this gap is becoming even larger. A serious commitment is required to create new and long-term jobs. In fact the happiness of the successful economic growth of Zambia, it seems that does not really benefit and touch all levels of Zambian society,” he said.
He said development should benefit all citizens.
Archbishop Girasoli (left) said there was need to increase the labour force and have more people access an affordable credit system.
He said the public economic sector should always consider the benefit of all Zambians as the main priority for developing the country.
Archbishop Girasoli said the natural resources belonged to all Zambians and a stronger commitment should be put in place by public institutions so that the resources are used for the benefit of all.
“Most of the natural resources are not renewable so when they are taken they disappear forever. That is why natural resources should benefit all Zambian citizens and should be aimed at producing a durable impact for improving the socio-economic conditions of poor urban and rural areas,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli urged people never to despair as Christmas should strengthen people’s hopes and expectations.
He said for those who were suffering, those without a stable income, the unemployed, the sick and those who had lost their jobs, it would be a Christmas full of worries for their future.
“But all Christians know that life is a passage under a tunnel; at the end there is always the light, the light of Christmas. During these holidays when families gather together to celebrate Christmas, we all shall encourage each other: The Child Jesus lets us know that the future for those who are now suffering will be radiant,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said Christmas should also be an occasion to balance what happened during this year in people’s lives and in society.
He said Christmas was the feast of the poor, because God had chosen to be born as a poor.
He said only unity and peace could assure a sustainable development which could benefit the poor and the marginalised classes of society.
“Let us work together in proclaiming One Zambia, One Nation. While the country is preparing for the general election next year let us pray that different political views and the legitimate aspirations of all those involved in the political arena will be presented and defended in a peaceful way,” said Archbishop Girasoli.
Archbishop Girasoli said religion should keep the role of a unifying pillar of society particularly during the coming elections.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, POVERTY
Read more...
Girasoli hails The Post’s contribution to democracy
By Patson Chilemba
Sun 01 Aug. 2010, 04:01 CAT
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Apostolic Nicola Girasoli has said The Post plays a very important role in enhancing Zambia’s democracy.
Speaking when he, officials and students from the Scientific Lyceum High School of Italy conducted a familiarisation tour of The Post on Friday, Archbishop Girasoli hailed the work of The Post in Zambia.
“I have been five years in Zambia and I really can assure you that The Post is always playing a very important role in this country to grow among the people of what really democracy means,” Archbishop Girasoli said.
“So The Post has been really very, very important in its 19 years to let grow this idea of democracy, because this is a long process we know very well. So this, I think, is the main aim if I may say from my point of view what The Post is doing. This is an independent paper and privately owned newspaper which is quite unique in this country.”
Archbishop Girasoli said one of The Post’s roles of keeping checks and balances was very important because even Western countries needed pluralism.
“Of course doing this sometimes you provoke different opinions, you provoke sometimes of course some criticism,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said The Post was a newspaper that everyone read in Zambia and was also very successful.
“And indeed we can’t start the day without reading The Post. Even they (the visiting Italian students) know,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the standards of The Post were similar to those in Europe.
And Post managing editor Amos Malupenga said The Post last Monday celebrated 19 years of independent and courageous journalism.
He said the newspaper was launched in 1991 during time Zambia was moving from one-party participatory democracy to multi-party democracy.
Malupenga said the newspaper played an influential role in that process and had continued to do the same in promoting democracy in Zambia.
Malupenga said the newspaper kept checks and balances on the government because they were the people who managed public resources on behalf of the citizens.
He said that was not to say that the newspaper did not pay attention to what was going on elsewhere in the country like in the civil society and other political organisations.
“Our work is very challenging and difficult in many respects. It is very challenging especially when we are doing checks and balances on those who are in control of the state machinery. Sometimes we come into conflict with those in government. That’s why we press it upon our journalists to ensure that they remain courageous and truthful to their cause,” Malupenga said.
He said journalists had a duty to tell the truth to the public, because the public could only make informed decisions when they had the truth.
“However, those in power want to sweep the truth under the carpet. So it is our duty to expose that which they want to hide. And in the process there are skirmishes,” Malupenga said.
Asked by Scientific Lyceum School teacher Dr Caputi Onofrio who observed that there were too many adverts in that day’s edition, Malupenga said The Post was very lucky to have the largest circulation in the country.
He said this attracted a lot of advertisers who are assured of getting their messages to all corners of the country by advertising in The Post.
“We also enjoy the widest readership in the country because of our objective news, which many people look up to,” said Malupenga.
“And generally, we are kept in business by our people’s goodwill. Our people have been very supportive from the time the newspaper was launched on 26th July 1991.”
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, THE POST
Read more...
Catholic Church not competing with govt – Girasoli
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Wed 21 Apr. 2010, 23:30 CAT
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Archbishop Nicola Girasoli (left) has said the Catholic Church is not competing with the government or with any other institution. During the national day of the Holy See yesterday, Archbishop Girasoli said the Catholic Church was not interested in any human or political power.
"We are partners pursuing the same goal which is the wellbeing of all Zambians and to serve and help the people, although in a different way, and regardless their religious affiliation," he said.
He said in Zambia almost 30 per cent of the citizens were officially declared Catholic which meant that it was impossible to have among such a large number of Catholics in Zambia uniformity of thinking and of speaking in the so many social and human issues that Zambians citizens were facing.
"Unfortunately very often the single voice of one of our Catholic member or one member of the clergy is confused with or taken as the official voice of the Catholic Church in Zambia.
Of course, different points of views, with whom we may agree or not, are always welcome and are an enrichment for democracy and a support for a fruitful dialogue in the society. So we respect the opinion of everybody," he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the Catholic Church officially speaks only through the ZEC and for matters related to the Church and the State through the Vatican Embassy.
He said Catholics in Zambia must not be identified by their social, human or political choices, but by their own Christian faith and Christian values which come always before of any respectful, personal and different views.
Archbishop Girasoli appealed to all Catholics in Zambia to be united by their faith and their Christian values.
He said the Vatican enjoyed international recognition by so many nations, states and different cultures and besides being the central government of the universal Church, the Vatican played an active role in the worldwide community of peoples and offers its genuine co-operation and partnership in various areas of international interest concerns.
Archbishop Girasoli said the relations between Zambia and the Vatican were solid and good.
"In fact, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Zambia and Holy See-Vatican. The Holy See and the Catholic Church do not claim any special expertise in financial, economic or political nature, but stands ready to contribute and make reference to the basic principles of an ethical nature that must guide all genuine human endeavours," he said.
He said the main concern of the Catholic Church was not to say or to indicate what Zambians had or had not to do.
Archbishop Girasoli said the main goal of the Catholic Church was to serve Zambian people, to share their sorrows and their hopes and help them regardless of their religious affiliation.
He said the Catholic Church serves the Zambian people with 220 schools, one Catholic University in Kalulushi, 69 health institutions including hospitals, rural heath centres and hospices.
Archbishop Girasoli said it was easy to realise that the Catholic Church was the major partner of the government, and of the public institutions of Zambia, in the fields of education and health.
During the same function, Archbishop Girasoli handed the Vatican Honours and Decorations to several Catholic personalities for their dedicated work for the Church and the people of Zambia.
These included Mary Yunike Mwale, chairperson of the National Council of the Catholic Women in Zambia-Pontifical Medal of Pope Benedict XVI, Rosario Fundanga, Member of the Secular Third Order of Saint Francis - Pontifical Medal of Pope Benedict XVI.
Dr Mark Chona, chairman of Matantala Rule Integrated Development Enterprise, chairman of the board of Zambia Honey Council, member of the advisory board council of foreign relations (New York), Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, Dr Owen Daka, international lawyer- Cross 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' and Dr Johnston Chizinga, Ambassador of Zambia to Germany- Cross 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice'.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, NICOLA GIRASOLI
Read more...
Archbishop Girasoli is right
By The Editor
Thu 15 Apr. 2010, 04:00 CAT
The comments by Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli deserve very careful consideration. The observation that there is a lot of frustration among our young people related to lack of jobs needs to be taken very seriously.
A country that does not take its young people seriously is unlikely to develop in any meaningful way. We say this because it is the young people who provide a pool of human resource from which an economy which needs to develop must draw. Ignoring young people and their concerns is ignoring development and prosperity.
The comments by Archbishop Girasoli were made in the context of a graduation mass held for university students. Universities and colleges are very important producers of necessary human resource which the country needs to make progress. Special attention needs to be paid to the requirements of the universities, colleges and education in general. It is education that lays the foundation for prosperity both for the nation and an individual.
A nation full of uneducated people is unlikely to prosper. By the same token, an uneducated person is also less likely to prosper. It is Nelson Mandela who has been quoted as saying it is education that makes rich men out of poor men’s children. By saying what we have said, we are not here preaching prosperity for its own sake. We are making the point that even the children of the poor deserve to aspire to a better life than their parents may have had. Education offers them that opportunity.
It is a huge frustration for someone who may have been raised poor, having been educated, and now expecting a better life to find that he cannot get a job. These are some of the frustrations that our young people face today. Jobs are difficult to come by and when they do, they do not always offer all rewards that a good education promises.
These are the challenges that a government needs to address with sincerity. It is the responsibility of government to ensure that jobs are being created and the young people that our education system is producing are being absorbed. To do this, the government has to realise that it is not a matter of making meaningless pronouncements about how the economy is growing. There has to be a commitment to measuring the real local impact of the macro–economic indicators that the government likes to boast about.
Countries that have developed have paid particular attention to the most important resources that a nation can have – its people. People are the most important gift that a nation can have. They need to be looked after and developed. It is possible for a country to be blessed with all kinds of resources but if it does not have people with the relevant skills, financial, industrial and otherwise to help it take advantage of its endowments, such a nation remains poor.
This is something that we are familiar with as a nation. Although we boast about having all sorts of resources, there is no deliberate effort by succeeding governments to enable our people to take advantage of the resources that we have for our benefit. We always seem to think that foreigners know better than us and have got better skills, abilities, financial and otherwise to exploit our resources. This is why although we are rich in resources, we remain poor in financial terms.
There is an expectation that we are not able to exploit our own resources to profit our economy and should therefore continually rely on foreigners. There is nothing wrong with relying on others for financial resources to exploit our resources if we do not have those financial resources. But there is something completely wrong in abdicating our responsibility to think and protect future generations when we engage in such transactions.
We say this because we seem to think that not having financial resources is the same thing as not having the knowledge and technical know-how to exploit the resources. It cannot be denied that this country has produced considerable numbers of people who can provide leadership in many areas of knowledge and technical expertise but the problem is our government does not seem to believe that it is its responsibility to ensure that the economy is in the hands of its local people. What do we mean by this? The government must ensure that Zambians and Zambian talent are deployed in the economy for the better utilisation of our resources to the benefit of this economy.
It is the failure to realize the importance of education and its products, a cadre of skilled experts in various fields that leads the government to over-dependence on foreign labour, particularly in decision-making positions, to the exclusion of Zambians.
Zambian business leaders will have no choice but to think about the development of their country as they develop their business. The same is not always true with the foreign managers that we seem to want to run our economy. This is why we said it is the responsibility of government to provide jobs to its local people. It is also their responsibility to ensure that the economy is developing in such a way that our future generations will not be left in a position of uncomfortable servitude. We do not need to allow the economy to develop in a way that requires our children to come and fight another independence struggle. It is therefore imperative that as we strive to educate our young people, we think through how they are going to be absorbed in the economy in a way that is going to make maximum use of their talents and capabilities.
This is only possible, however, if we pay particular attention to the quality pf education that we are giving them and the opportunities that we are making available for them. Which government minister in Rupiah Banda’s government is intimately knowlegeable about the numbers of young people that are being released upon our streets every year and what sort of job opportunities are available for them?
What kind of policy initiatives are there to ensure that the future generation of this country are not frustrated before they have an opportunity to make use of their education? These issues may sound mundane but they are critical when it comes to the issues that really affect our people. These are the issues that make a difference in the lives of the individuals. It is not whether the economy is growing at 50 per cent or 40 per cent. No! It’s whether we can find jobs or not. Whether food or not, these are basics that the government needs to think about. When Archbishop Girasoli observes that there is a lot of frustration amongst our young people, he makes a very important observation which we can only ignore at our own peril.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, UNEMPLOYMENT, YOUTHS
Read more...
Most young Zambians are frustrated – Girasoli
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thu 15 Apr. 2010, 04:30 CAT
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Archbishop Nicola Girasoli has observed that there is a lot of frustration among young people in Zambia. Speaking during the University of Zambia (UNZA) 2010 graduation mass, Archbishop Girasoli said the frustration was related mostly to lack of jobs.
He said unemployment was the major cause of disorientation and unhappiness among the young people in Zambia. Archbishop Girasoli said very often students completed their studies but could not find good jobs.
“Frustration may cause a lot of serious problems in our youth: alcoholism, sense of emptiness, drugs, temptation of acting out of law, spirit of rebellion.
You can always do better. Even when you experience sadness and loneliness, you have to be aware that you have in yourself the potentiality of rediscovering the sense of life and the strength to feel useful for society,” Archbishop Girasoli said last weekend.
“We all shall do something to improve the lives and conditions of our youth. We all are called to give to our youth more hope and a concrete, I underline concrete, solutions to their expectations and demands of our young people and of all Zambian students.”
Archbishop Girasoli appealed to public authorities to strengthen their efforts in creating more jobs and in sustaining initiatives that could guarantee a job. He said the expectations of young people and students were a priority for Zambia.
“In fact, everything we do for the youth will bring benefit for the future of our nation. That is why the youth should always receive the first and the most important consideration and attention by all the components of our society,” he said.
He urged the students to be instruments of peace and promoters of unity in the country.
Archbishop Girasoli said university was a school of brotherhood and the academic life was always an adventure. He said this concretely meant that the science that they learnt at the university needed to be supported by wisdom.
“We know that wisdom is a patrimony transmitted by our cultures, traditions and that finds its strong roots in the Gospel. You shall try to conjugate together in your life science and wisdom. Due mainly to the spread of the new computer technologies young generation and especially you dear students are exposed to an individual isolation and to live in a reality increasingly virtual,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said university by its very nature promoted precisely the fine balance between the individual moment and that of the community - between the research and reflection of each one and the exchange that was open to others in a tendency of universal dimension.
“As a school of brotherhood, in an academic community and among students jealousy and envy should always be avoided and removed. You are here not to compete but to learn and to prepare yourself to serve this beloved country of Zambia. Solidarity among you is very important.
You have to start to help and to support each other. Do not be selfish, but try to be open especially to those that, among you, who are struggling to continue their studies because of lack of financial means,” he said.
Archibishop Girasoli said most young people wanted to be free, free in everything but freedom comes from within, from the very attitudes and capacity to sacrifice things that could be harmful to them and to many others as well.
“We have to learn and be brave to say no to those tendencies which we know will damage our lives and that of our families: alcoholism for example procures a lot of problems and destroys ourselves. We shall try to make decisions that look beyond the present, by raising our eyes to the horizon where our risen Lord is: in Him, we have life. We have to try to develop more positive attitudes, with hope and courage to support them,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the tragedy of HIV and AIDS challenges was there everyday, especially among the young people. He said mutual aid, compassion and solidarity were the keys to help concretely those who are HIV positive, avoiding any stigmatisation and isolation of those touched by this sickness.
Archbishop Girasoli said humanity expects a serious commitment for creating a better world from young people.
“Try to put your life at the service of the poor, the homeless and those in needs. Try to enlighten the world, proclaiming justice, love and peace. Very often adults are reluctant to give space to the young. The difficulty that adults undoubtedly find in approaching the sphere of youth is anyway comprehensible and convincing.
In fact, if it is true that young people need experience and a solid preparation to take over ruling professions in society, the conditions to grow safely and learn how to deal with society should be given and guaranteed to them,” said Archbishop Girasoli.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, UNEMPLOYMENT, YOUTHS
Read more...
Peace greatest value of development – Girasoli
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sat 03 Apr. 2010, 04:01 CAT
GOOD FRIDAY: Lusaka’s St Ignatius Catholic Church yesterday joined several other denominations in commemorating the death of Jesus Christ - Picture by Collins Phiri
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Archbishop Nicola Girasoli has said there can be no development without peace.
In his Easter message, Archbishop Girasoli said peace was the supreme and greatest value.
“Without peace there is no development, without peace everything is lost. Our personal views should be always surrender to the good of the society. As Christians the most important is to be close to those who suffer, to be concerned and to help the poor, to struggle for improving those who are in need,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said Easter was the most important feast and spiritual event for Christian faith.
“The death and the resurrection of our Lord helps us to reflect on how we are living our faith and we all at Easter are encouraged to look forward with hope and joy. Life always prevails and through the Resurrection of our Lord, death is definitively over. In the first preface of Easter we proclaim that ‘Christ by dying He destroyed our death, by rising he restored our life’,” he said.
“Peace is the first and most important gift of Easter. Soon after His Resurrection, Jesus manifests Himself to the Apostles with the beautiful words ‘Peace be with you John 20, 21’.”
Archbishop Girasoli said Christians would always be promoters and defenders of peace.
He said promoting peace means to put in place even in the small circle of families, friends and communities those actions which overcome divisions, like gestures of forgiveness and speeches which help to look forward and not to the past.
Archbishop Girasoli said defending peace means to be ready to sacrifice or to give up to some of the personal and social expectations in order to keep the unity of families and society.
“Pope Benedict XVI, in the final Message of the Second Synod for Africa, celebrated in Rome last October, referring to the pastoral ministry, wrote that: ‘Priests should know how best to offer your services in a non-partisan, pastoral and evangelical way’ (N. 21). The Holy Father underlines that our ministry in order to be more effective should be non-partisan, which concretely means that we shall always be on the side of the Gospel, and on the side of God,” he said.
He said this concretely means that priests and more in general Christians were called not only to serve and help the poor, but also to speak about justice, peace and reconciliation as well as to give a voice to the voiceless and to the poor.
“But we shall do it always in God’s perspective and not according to our own views. May the peace given by the Risen Lord inspire in our beloved country of Zambia a common effort to overcome divisions and to privilege an open dialogue as the way to share and discuss different views promoting and defending always the unity and the peace that, thanks God, Zambia has always enjoyed,” stated Archbishop Girasoli.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI, PEACE
Read more...
Forgiveness
Written by Editor
WE need religious institutions to continue to be the conscience of our nation, a moral custodian and a fearless champion of the interest of the weak, the poor and all the down trodden.
We say this because religion is a great force and it can help one command one's own morality, one's own behaviour and one's own attitude. The homily delivered by Archbishop Nicola Girasoli at Chilalantambo Parish in Choma over the weekend called on us to be ready to forgive and to forget, to avoid being jealousy.
Archbishop Girasoli said "many are ready to forgive, but not to forget. If we are not ready to forget, we shall never forgive. I see in Zambia a lot of resistance to forget: this touches all levels of civic, social and political life".
We agree with Archbishop Girasoli on the need to forgive but we have problems on forgetting. And this is because if there has to be true forgiveness, the primary requisite is to eradicate the cause of dissension between people. Forgiveness cannot remain just mere words; it has to be visible in concrete actions. It is said that true reconciliation is to seek and accept forgiveness. It doesn't say we should forget the past. We can forgive the past without forgetting it. We may be criticised when we say that whilst we can forgive, we can never forget. Those who have been subjected to injustices face the challenge of coming to terms with the past in ways which will enable them to face the future as a united people at peace with itself. Those who have been subjected to injustice will always be determined to ensure that past injustices are known. This is so because it will help ensure that past injustices are not repeated. Knowing, and not forgetting, past injustices leave us less burdened by the past and unshackled to pursue a glorious future. We have no problem with forgiveness but we have a serious problem with forgetting past injustices. Forgiveness is necessary because you can't build a united nation on the basis of revenge. If you want to mobilise every section of the population to develop the country, to move the country out of poverty, you can't do it with feelings of hatred and revenge or permanent anger. Anger is something that should be a temporally feeling. One should be able to easily put aside anger and forgive and move on, particularly if one is involved in positive activities and attitudes. It is not easy to remain bitter and unforgiving if one is busy with constructive things.
But forgiveness does not mean that wrongdoing should go unpunished. Punishing a wrongdoer, sending a criminal to jail does not mean lack of forgiveness. Those who commit crimes, those who kill innocent citizens, those who rob or plunder their poor people's meagre resources and are responsible for injustice and evil deserve to be punished. Even in God's scheme of things, those who are responsible for injustice and evil would be punished in hell. Could that be interpreted as an expression of lack of 'forgiveness' and 'forgetting'? We have never felt hatred for individuals. It's not that we love our enemies. We don't; we haven't gotten that far. We understand why they are enemies.
When we call for a wrongdoer, a person who has blood on his hands, to be punished, we don't do it for the sake of not forgiving, of revenge. What's more, Jesus tells us we must love our enemies, those who do us wrong, those who mistreat us and perpetrate all sorts of injustices against us - He doesn't say we must not have enemies - and there is no greater love for a wrongdoer, a criminal, a thief than to prevent him from continuing in those wrongs, in those evils. We are not against Archbishop Girasoli's teachings or interpretation of the problem. We were taught that there was a constant struggle between good and evil, and evil had to be punished. We were taught that those who commit crimes and were responsible for injustice, evil would be punished in hell.
A lot of care should be taken because if we are not careful, we can easily be enticed to read forgiveness and forgetting as meaning parity between justice and injustice. Injustice must be fought and punished.
And forgiveness doesn't just come like that. It comes after the wrongdoers have confessed their sins and have sought forgiveness. Of what use would it be to forgive someone who has shown no contrition or remorse at all and are continuing to do the same wrong things. In that case what are you forgiving? And what should you forget? In the political arena it is only possible where there is an attempt to adhere to the rules of fair play and respect for the legitimate rights of others. For as long as the majority of the people feel they are not allowed to participate meaningfully in the governance of their country, their communities, in the decision making processes, and cannot elect or choose their own leaders in free and fair elections that are devoid of cheating, manipulation, deceit or indeed rigging, there will always be tension and conflicts; Forgiving and forgetting will not be possible.
We cannot be called upon to be indifferent to these evils in the name of forgiveness and forgetting. This type of indifference will actually be criminal on our part and the future generations will judge us harshly for it.
On the issue of jealousy, again a distinction must be made here between what we may call the ordinary jealousy and the jealousy that arises from inequalities that are caused by corruption. Detesting and standing up to fight someone who has become rich or prosperous as a result of stealing public funds is not an act of jealousy. This is not something people should be indifferent to.
While we accept that life is like a big wheel: the one who is at the top, tomorrow is at the bottom, it doesn't mean that if you happen to be at the bottom and the one who is at the top is abusing his office, he is stealing public funds then if you turn against him you are jealousy. If someone steals from the public, members of the public have a duty to fight that person. If someone steals your chicken at night you have every right to pursue him and get your chicken back. Doing so is not being jealousy or lacking the spirit of forgiveness and forgetting.
And it is very difficult not to have jealousy or envy in a society with very big social inequalities. As long as there is enormous inequalities among human beings, there won’t be any meaningful cooperation or even love and forgiveness among them. Of course ordinary envy is something that we should avoid because it is harmful to ourselves; it chokes us. Again to avoid jealousy and envy the best teachings on this are the religious ones. There is need for us to fully understand the logical and practical ways to overcome jealousy because this is something that can completely consume us. Jealousy inhibits our ability to manifest the things that we want in life; it just makes our lives miserable. And we should some practical logical ways to overcome it; we should find ways to avoid going mad with jealousy. Where there is great desire, there is absolutely potential for great creation. Where there is jealousy, there is great desire. Our work is to remove the jealousy and let our great desire manifest. It is said that our lives are the outer reflection of our most dominant inner thoughts. Therefore, the more we allow negative emotions such as jealousy and the thoughts that rouse envy, the more we attract less of what we want and more examples of others fulfilling our dreams. There is need to understand where jealousy comes from in order to eliminate the root cause. It is said that jealousy comes from a state of disconnection. It is said that this debilitating emotion comes from the severing of your relationship to Spirit, from the Truth of your being, the Truth that you are unlimited and pure potentiality. It also said that jealousy is an indication that you do not accept the Truth that you are inherently Divine and worth all that you desire just because you were born. Jealousy is your indication that you are afraid. You are afraid that you are not worth or good enough to have what you want. You are afraid that others have the power to take what you want away from you and that somehow you are defective, inadequate and not worth of a fulfilling life filled with love, prosperity, peace, security, beauty and the presence of God that you really desire. That's what the religious people teach us about jealousy. We are told that jealousy is the consequence of years of being told by others and by yourself that you don't deserve what you want. Jealousy comes from having low self-esteem and the inability to courageously and boldly believe in you. But you are worth and deserving of all that you desire. You are pure potentiality with the absolute power and unlimited potential to have, be, and do anything and everything you desire. You are a divine child of God born to live a fulfilling life filled with abundant, lavish prosperity and passionate, exuberant love. Give yourself the love and self-acceptance you deserve. That's all we can say on this type of jealousy, the ordinary jealousy.
In saying all this, we are not in any way trying to take away anything from the homily delivered by Archbishop Girasoli. We totally agree with him that there is need to be united through the discovery of common wounds and scars and that love is to break the war of indifference and to work for others. With love everything is possible.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI
Read more...
There’s a lot of resistance to forgive and forget – Girasoli
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 5:13:22 PM
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli has said there is a lot of resistance to forgive and forget in Zambia.
Delivering a homily at Chilalantambo Parish in Choma over the weekend, Archbishop Girasoli said true forgiveness included to forget.
"Many are ready to forgive, but not to forget. If we are not ready to forget, we shall never forgive. I see in Zambia a lot of resistance to forget: this touches all level of civic, social and political life," he said.
He said one of the main obstacles to forget was jealousy.
"In fact, jealousy is based on selfishness, and it is against Christian love. Jealousy destroys relationships and any kind of social partnership. Jealousy can lead to crimes and sins. I invite all Zambians to put aside any kind of jealousy and prejudices and to look and to judge people not from where they come from, or to what they belong, we need to look at each other in a spirit of a truly brotherhood, rooted in the same nation, having a common goal: to improve the lives of all and to reduce poverty," he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the Catholic Church was not an association that desired to promote a specific cause.
"The cause of the Church is the risen Lord and the predication of his gospel and also the 'integral human development' the development of every person, especially of the poorest and the most neglected in the society. Sanctity flows throughout unity - unity and sanctity bear catholicity, apostolicity, making our faith universal. So it is unity the source of our belonging to the Catholic Church. If we are not united, we cannot grow in sanctity and be fruitful in our apostolate," he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the Catholic Church would always promote and defend the unity of the Church at all levels from a single parish to Rome.
He said unity could not just be a feeling or something abstract.
Archbishop Girasoli said there was need to be united through the discovery of common wounds and scars.
He said it was only through the unity of all people that sustainable results would be achieved in the eradication of poverty as well as the common effort to overcome life's challenges.
Archbishop Girasoli said the mission of the Catholic Church was to give light and to help and a Catholic should never be upset.
He said Love could not be based on human reason.
"Love is love, and not calculation. Love is not mathematic.
Love is to break the wall of indifference and to work for others. This is why for us as Christians there is no love without forgiveness. People of Chilalantambo, People of Zambia look always forward, the mistakes of the past are already behind us, we all need to look forward," said Archbishop Girasoli.
Labels: NICOLA GIRASOLI
Read more...
Girasoli urges dialogue for stable democracy in Africa
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Saturday June 28, 2008 [04:01]
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Apostolic Nuncio Nicola Girasoli has said stability and democracy in Africa can only be reached through dialogue and a persuasive attitude. In welcoming the bishops who are attending the Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), which starts today and ends on July 6 under the theme ‘Reconciliation, Justice and Peace’, Archbishop Girasoli said in this world, where globalisation took over nationalism and selfishness, international isolation was the worst that could happen to a country or to a community.
He said reconciliation through justice meant being ready to move a step forward and to acknowledge one’s own limits.
Archbishop Girasoli said what was impossible to achieve by a single person or government may be achieved collectively.
He said Africa was a continent of smiles and tears.
“This causes concern. The Church has to be an instrument of reconciliation and promotion of social justice, thus preventing more calamities.
The events of these days, let us understand more that the solution for stability and democracy in this beloved continent and especially in this region can be reached only through dialogue and a persuasive attitude which overcomes the borders of a single country,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the AMECEA region had remarkably reached a substantial progress to be a prophetic voice by speaking out and practicing the service of reconciliation, justice and peace.
He said this plenary could also strengthen links of cooperation among the local churches in the region in order to achieve a more concrete impact for improving the everyday life of people.
“Do not be afraid of reconciliation, at all levels in society, in politics and in the Church. In fact, reconciliation leads to unity, which is a supreme value for people and society.
We have to be ready to dialogue and to put aside our own views. In a word, we all have to be ready to be more flexible and to be open especially in those matters concerning social justice and a peaceful living,” he said.
Archbishop Girasoli said the mission of the Church was to proclaim the good news.
“This is about deep spirituality, moral responsibility, cultural respect, economic liberation, social tranquillity, amicability, deliverance from structures of sin, healing heart and body from unbearable diseases.
During your Plenary Assembly, you have a unique opportunity of working together towards these mentioned topics. Do your best for growing mutual respect and acceptance among Africans first and to the greater world,” said Archbishop Girasoli.
Labels: AMECEA, DEMOCRACY, NICOLA GIRASOLI
Read more...
