04/09/2026
FR EDWARD CHILUFYA MUMBI CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTHOOD
Who is Rev. Father Mumbi?
Fr Mumbi is committed to the parish pastoral programme. Many priests in the Archdiocese of Ndola have passed through his hands and have learnt much from him.
He promotes team ministry and has worked very well with the late Father Stanislaus Chanda and Mr Albert Chongo in the Catechetical and Liturgical Offices of the Archdiocese.
Members of the IPTC still speak positively about him. While running the Liturgical Office, Fr Mumbi really wanted to promote evangelisation and inculturation, as explained in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 37–40, and Ad Gentes, 16. Hence, the Boumba Folklore is a result of great zeal and the pastoral application of liturgy.
He is prayerful and finds time to reflect.
Shortly before celebrating his 50th anniversary, Fr Mumbi spent a week in retreat. At some point in his priestly ministry, he was involved in conducting exorcisms.
Many people can testify that Fr Mumbi is very friendly, sociable and generous. He interacts well with others, whether they are clergy, religious or laity.
Fr Mumbi is respectful. He treats others with respect, whether young or old.
Fr Mumbi is really hardworking, enterprising and uses his initiative. His military training as a cadet at the Secondary School might have helped shape him into what he is today. Even in his old age, he is still alive and kicking.
Believing in self-reliance, he undertakes some fundraising ventures. For this reason, he is able to look after himself. Together with his family members, he supported his late parents, who were residing at Kafubu Block New Mwange “C” Church. People in Twapya remember him for having painted the inside of the old Church.
In 1993, when the Franciscan Conventuals handed over St Anthony Mission to the Archdiocese of Ndola in Mpongwe, there was an old generator there which had been bought in 1948. It constantly broke down and often needed repairs.
After some time, Father Mumbi went there and, together with the Korean Sisters who were running a mini-hospital at Misangwa, fought hard to have the old generator replaced with ZESCO power. People still remember him for that gesture.
He has a strong character. When faced with daily life challenges, he takes courage and remains cool and focused. He does not panic but slowly begins to look for possible solutions.
Indeed, the words of John in the Book of Revelation can be quoted to describe his river of life:
“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”
(Revelation 7:13–14)
Father Mumbi, we thank the Lord for the gift you have been to the Archdiocese of Ndola. Congratulations on your Golden Jubilee of Priesthood, and we wish you many more years to come.
Ad Multos Annos!
