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News Archives » Zambia Oblate Delegation


Students from Zambia Explore “What Is Happening to Our Common Home” June 17th, 2025

(Contributed by Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director La Vista Ecological Learning Center)

Fr David P Chisha, OMI, a novice at Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in 2018, remembered learning about the impact of plastic pollution on people and planet during that year. Now a priest at Sancta Maria Mission in Zambia, he decided to invite me to share this information with parish youth; so, on May 12th we met via Zoom to discuss what is happening to our common home around the issue of plastic pollution.
Fr Chisha chose this as our topic because in Lukulu, Zambia it is common practice to throw plastic bags and bottles on the ground since waste management is not in the picture yet. We discussed the impact of this common practice, and when I mentioned that globally an enormous amount of plastic ends up in rivers and ultimately in the ocean where it breaks down into microplastics and is eaten by fish which are then eaten by humans, the young people resonated. Lukulu is located on the Zambezi River which flows into the Indian Ocean, and fish are an important part of their diet.
 
When we considered what they could do about plastic pollution, they recalled Fr Chisha encouraging them to take a basket to market as people used to do instead of accepting a plastic bag. Raphel, one of the participants, decided it was worth looking “old-fashioned”; in addition, if someone comments, he plans on sharing the reason for his behavior! Alice, also a participant, intends to bring this issue to school to see if she can make a difference there. And Fr Chisha has already begun his efforts by creating “The Voice of the Future”, a podcast on environmental issues with parish youth as guests!
 
(Click on the link to watch their first podcast about plastic: https://www.facebook.com/sanctamaria.mission/videos/451320151375694)
 
In Laudato Si, Pope Francis asked, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” It was heartening to be with the youth he was concerned about, and it was also encouraging to be with youth and their priest who passionately care for our common home in the spirit of Pope Francis.
 
(Image 1 L to R: Raphael, Julian, Alice, Father David Chisha, OMI via Zoom)

(Image 2 Photo by Kabwe Kabwe: Pexels)
 
 

Conversation With Bishop Valentine Kalumba, OMI, Catholic Diocese of Livingstone in Zambia September 25th, 2019

Bishop Valentine Kalumba, OMI, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone in Zambia talks about the projects he hopes to fund through a series of parish missions in the U.S.. He also talks about how he became an Oblate, his work as a parish priest in Western Zambia and how his life has changed since becoming a Bishop.

The Most Rev. Valentine Kalumba, OMI, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone in Zambia, sat down for a wide-ranging discussion of his call to Oblate priesthood, his time as pastor of mission parishes, his surprise at being named Bishop of Livingstone, and the changes the office has made in his work and life style.


Congratulations to Bishop-Elect Valentine Kalumba, OMI – Zambia June 20th, 2016

Missionary Oblates JPIC sends congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Bishop-Elect Valentine Kalumba, OMI, who has been named Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone in Zambia by His Holiness Pope Francis.

Fr. Valentine Kalumba, OMI, was previously Vicar of the Zambian Oblates and Parish Priest at Blessed Mary Theresa in the Diocese of Kabwe. In addition, he held many pastoral assignments in the Zambia Oblate Delegation.

Bishop-electValentine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bishop-Elect Valentine Kalumba always stops by the JPIC office whenever he is in Washington DC for meetings. He last visited with us in May 2016.

Best wishes to Bishop-Elect Valentine Kalumba, OMI, as he takes on his new responsibilities.

 

 

 

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