Catholic Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have called upon their faithful to maintain trust in the risen Christ as the World is in the fight against novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
In a joint Easter message released titled “Enhancing Pastoral Collaboration in the Wake of COVID-19” the Presidents, Most Reverend Thomas Msusa of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Right Reverend George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu of Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) and the Most Reverend Robert Ndlovu of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) have appealed for solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.
“This year, we celebrate Easter in a challenging context and amid painful situations. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the whole world is also affecting our Easter celebrations. In view of protecting our own lives and those of others, we cannot fill churches and make them resound with liturgical music.
Instead, we commemorate the mystery of Easter and encounter the Risen Lord in our homes – the domestic Church. Many of you are experiencing fear and uncertainty as well as the trauma of the isolation of family members, including the tragic loss of relatives and friends due to the Coronavirus disease.
Yet, despite these devastating and painful situations, the message of Easter continues to be one of joy, courage and hope…” reads part of the letter.
While a applauding individuals, faith based organisations, civil society organisations, the corporate world and the international for sharing their financial and material resources in a bid to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable in the region, the bishops have called upon the Caritas, Health, Education and Communication alms of the Church in the region to step up levels of collaboration in their noble works.