. Gallagher

By REBECCA MUSHOTA and SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Vatican has said that it wants to learn from the Zambian Government how best to address challenges that sub-Saharan Africa is facing.
Vatican Secretary of Relations Paul Richard Gallagher said yesterday that he wanted to hear from the Zambian Government on matters affecting Sub Saharan Africa and how to address those challenges.
Archbishop Gallagher was speaking yesterday when he met Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba at his office.
“We want to hear the Zambian perspective on matters like regional politics and other major challenges facing this part of Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
Archbishop Gallagher said the Vatican was in the process of increasing developmental projects it was supporting through the local Catholic Church.
This was because Pope Francis wanted to enhance relations with African countries.
The Pope would be visiting Africa for the first time soon when he visits the Central African Republic, Kenya and Uganda.
Mr Kalaba said he was happy with the deepening relations between Zambia and the Vatican.
He said he was happy that Archbishop Gallagher’s visit came at a time that Zambia and the Vatican were celebrating 50 years of relations.
Mr Kalaba said the Catholic Church was known for improving the fundamentals of human beings, which he said was a good development.
Archbishop Gallagher said earlier when he met President Edgar Lungu, the conversation they had was positive. He said the Vatican was looking forward to President Lungu’s visit to that State some time next year.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has called on the Church to continue praying for Zambia in order to sustain the peace the country has enjoyed over the years.
Mr Lungu noted that the country’s peace could not be guaranteed without the prayers of the clergy.  He was speaking at State House when Archbishop Gallagher paid a courtesy call on him.
The President noted that Zambians were also reflecting on how they had managed to sustain their 51 years after the country’s independence when other countries were currently locked in conflicts.
Mr Lungu said the Catholic Church could use committed members who had ascended to positions of influence to reach out to Government over various issues.
Earlier, Bishop Gallagher said the relationship between Zambia and the Holy See for the last 50 years has been fruitful.
The envoy, who was accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio in Zambia, Julio Murat and Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) President Archbishop Telesphore Mphundu, expressed happiness at the warm welcome he received from Zambia.
Bishop Gallagher is also accompanied by deputy of the Apostolic Nunciature Rev Marco Formica.