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    Pastoral Programms

    The Catholic Diocese of Solwezi covers the entire geographical boundary of North-Western Province of Zambia. The Catholic Population is estimated at about 100,000. The general population is growing at a fast rate due to increase in mining activities in the Diocese. There are 48 clerics and 66 religious men and women in the Diocese who are running 39 parishes; 6 Rural Health Centres, 2 leprosaria, 3 homes for the physically and mentally challenged, 22 kindergarten schools, 4 basic schools and 3 home craft centers.

    Pastoral Challenges:

    1. Pastoral work is made more challenging by the use of three dominant languages in the same Diocese. 
    2. Due to political disturbances and civil war in neighboring countries, the Diocese is home to a large number of refugees from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
    3. The small number of pastoral workers coupled with long distances has, to a great extent, inhibited the growth of the Church in the Diocese.
    4. The coming of Coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a challenge on worship resulting into reduction in the number of pastoral activities.

    The Role of the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator

    “The task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church. Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. The Church exists to evangelize…” (Ecclesia in Africa – E.A. 55).

    Therefore, the Pastoral Coordinator on behalf of the Bishop coordinates the commitment to evangelization in the Diocese and the pastoral dimension of all Church Activities. He organizes and administers the Diocesan Pastoral Office, keeping up to date relevant information, materials and files of pastoral nature.

    Additionally he is the head of the pastoral team.

    The Composition of the Pastoral Department

    The Department is constituted by various commissions, apostolates and ministries. A Commission is a body of experts or experienced persons appointed and entrusted by relevant authorities to spearhead a specific pastoral function. An apostolate is a specific service that flows from a charism. A ministry is a specific pastoral service in the Catholic Church. The following are the commissions:

    1. Diocesan Catechetical Commission
    2.  Diocesan Liturgical Commission
    3. Diocesan Council for the Laity (DCL): (Catholic Men Organization, Catholic Council for the Women and the Council of Catholic Youth)
    4. Diocesan Biblical Commission
    5. Vocations Commission
    6. Diocesan Youth Ministry
    7. Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS)
    8. Family Life Ministry (FLM)
    9. Diocesan Communications Commission