THE JCTR UPDATE: PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
WHAT KEEPS US BUSY AT THE JCTR? HERE ARE SOME RECENT ITEMS OF INTEREST
MALAWI VISIT
Three JCTR staff members travelled to Malawi for the ordination to priesthood of a former staff member, Alex Muyebe. Catherine Kachidza, George Makaha, Muweme Muweme and Pete Henriot were part of the large Zambian delegation. Muweme and Pete stayed on in Malawi for two weeks of research and contact with various organisations to explore future cooperative efforts between JCTR and the Centre for Social Concerns, a project of the Missionaries of Africa, directed by Jos Kuppens, M.Afr., a JCTR trustee.
DEBT PROJECT
Our Jubilee-Zambia project celebrated its Fifth anniversary in August. It was in August 1998 that a joint pastoral statement from ZEC, EFZ and CCZ launched the campaign to cancel Zambia’s huge burden of external debt. We returned to the steps of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for the occasion. The leaders of all the church bodies participated, and Peter Magande, Minister of Finance and National Planning, gave the main address. He praised the Jubilee campaign for its good efforts and encouraged us to continue to push for cancellation of debt for poverty eradication.
CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING
A special homily guideline for the 23rd Sunday of the Year (05 September) was sent out to over 350 parishes and organisations. The theme of the homily was debt cancellation. Plans are now being made for preparation of the JCTR Advent 2003 homily series. Pete Henriot prepared a set of homily notes for the first week of Advent, circulated in the booklet published by CAFOD, England.
In on-going efforts to assist in the social conscientisation of young religious, Charity Musamba presented a programme to a group of Handmaid Sisters and Pete Henriot gave a workshop for Jesuit novices.
Pete Henriot presented a paper to the Zambia Episcopal Conference on the on-going debate on Zambia’s constitutional review. Besides outlining the issues involved in the constitutional review process, he also suggested some of the content issues such as human rights and presidential powers.
JCTR staff attended the launch of the new book edited by Fr. Joe Komakoma, The Social Teaching of the Catholic Bishops and Other Christian Leaders in Zambia, 1953-2001. The book is on sale at the JCTR offices.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The JCTR Board of Trustees met on 22 July, chaired by Colm Brophy. Besides reviewing half-year narrative and financial reports, the Board discussed future strategic planning for the JCTR. They also visited the on-going construction of the new small building behind the Luwisha House chapel – and were glad to see it beginning to rise out of the marshy depths of Marshlands!
MUKANZUBO CULTURAL FESTIVAL
JCTR staff members, Muweme Muweme and George Makaha attended the Mukanzubo cultural festival organised by Radio Chikuni. The festival was organised around two issues: Tonga beauty pageant with key messages in relation to Tonga culture in the current situation, and musical performances that attracted participation of local musical groups and individuals performing different types of music. What an exhibition of talent it was!
JCTR TASKFORCES
The JCTR taskforces on Inculturation and Integrity of Creation continue with their work. Both taskforces held meetings recently. The Integrity of Creation taskforce has already started planning activities for next phase, with a possibility of reaching the rural areas around Lusaka
HELPERS AT THE JCTR
Leonard Chiti, S.J., spent his two months pastoral assignment from Hekima College, Nairobi, assisting us with several projects, including preparing an up-coming issue of the JCTR Jesuit Supplement and a pamphlet for use by Small Christian Communities (SCCs) on poverty and the church’s social teaching. He also traveled to Harare to arrange some future cooperative efforts with Silveira House.
Toni Weis has joined the JCTR as an intern for three weeks in September. Toni is a student of political science in German. He assisted with our Debt Project.
Two UNZA students, William Chilufya and Mangiza Chirwa served as interns of CSPR during their September break.
Horman Chitonge, S.J., has become a part-time staff member of the JCTR. He will be assisting us with the publication of the JCTR Bulletin and will be working on the Church’s Social Teaching Project. So in the next issue of our Bulletin, look out for some quality reflections in the articles to be featured and the letter from the editor!
Innocent Ndashe has also joined the JCTR for a brief period to assist on the Social Conditions Research Project and with some administration duties.