Bishop Phiri Tells Leaders to Serve Common Interest

Newly appointed Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Ndola, Benjamin Phiri, has warned political leaders against abusing their positions. 

Delivering a sermon at his installation ceremony on Saturday, Bishop Phiri told the congregation - which included President Edgar Lungu - that leaders should not view their positions as a means of satisfying personal interests. 

“Let us be humble even as we serve.  And I always warn, Your Excellency (President Lungu), all those, who have public offices, when we are serving, let’s be mindful all the time that we are acting on behalf of God,” he said.

Addressing the crowd at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Ndola, Bishop Phiri spoke of his experience of corrupt officials in his home of Eastern Province. 

“I don’t know here on the Copperbelt but I know where I am coming from (Eastern Province) some of these office bearers are there to serve themselves and they are there in order to gain. Somebody comes from a remote place somewhere to be served they look at that person and say come tomorrow. Why should somebody come tomorrow? When you are there and you are paid for that job. You don’t want to serve or you want somebody to pay you something extra on the side so that you can do the job.”

Had he the power, Bishop Phiri, fantasised, he would strip such officials of their responsibilities “without any hesitation”. 

Bishop Phiri has taken over responsibility of the Copperbelt diocese from Archbishop Alick Banda, who himself is now serving the Archdiocese of Lusaka. 

Fr Christopher Chowa has been appointed by Bishop Phiri as his Vicar General. 

Bishop Phiri addressing the congregation at Ndola Cathedral