Mwenya Mukuka
Outgoing Auxiliary Bishop for Chipata Diocese Rt. Rev. Benjamin Phiri has bid farewell to the Diocese.Rt. Rev. Phiri is the new Bishop for Ndola Diocese taking over from Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda.In his farewell message, Rt. Rev. Phiri appreciated his working relationship with Bishop George Lungu and thanked him for according him an opportunity to serve the Diocese.“Vicar General, go and thank Bishop Lungu for giving me an opportunity, for agreeing that I assist him. Over the years I have worked here, I have learnt the ‘job’ of a bishop. I am no longer a novice,” he said.Rt. Rev. Phiri has also said that when the clergy give counsel to politicians, they don’t mean to take up political positions.He said that such counsel is out of love and in the interest of the common good of the people as the Church is interested in development which is facilitated by improved education, health and social services.The Bishop, who was Chipata Diocese Auxiliary Bishop, said this when he bade farewell to Catholics in Petauke deanery on Saturday, 18th July, 2020.