10/08/2025
BISHOP CHARLES JOSEPH SAMPA KASONDE OPENS HOUSE FOR RETIRED PRIESTS IN SOLWEZI DIOCESE OF ZAMBIA
Sunday, 10th August 2025
By Sydney Mwamainda
Rt. Rev. Charles SJ Kasonde has officially opened and blessed a house built for retired priests in the Diocese of Solwezi.
The project, supported by Zambian catholics of Solwezi Diocese based in the United Kingdom, cost approximately K2 million and took nearly seven to eight years to complete into a beautiful and fully habitable home.
The residence comprises six self-contained bedrooms—each with a wardrobe—six sitting rooms, a spacious common room, a chapel, and a kitchen, among other facilities, all under one roof.
The Catholic Women’s Organizations from the Solwezi and Kifubwe deaneries played a major role in furnishing the house, providing beds, mattresses, headboards, pillows, kitchen utensils, and many other essentials to ensure the retired priests can enjoy a comfortable and dignified retirement.
Bishop Kasonde expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Catholics from Solwezi Diocese living in the UK some of whom were present at the occasion, as well as those within the diocese, for their dedication and generosity. He also thanked all the well-wishers who supported the local women in purchasing the necessary household items.
“At the moment, Solwezi does not have any retired priests,” the bishop noted. “But in the next five years, we will have priests reaching the age of 70. In the meantime, the newly blessed and opened house will accommodate some of the priests residing at St. Kizito Parish, where the house is located.”
The blessing of the house was spiced by dance and song by Bantu Ndiwo cultural group.
End!
Lumen TV-Z