We are the property of the Church – Bishop Kalumba

Bishop Valentine Kalumba, OMI, has called on the Church in Livingstone to know that the Clergy and Religious do not own properties for all they have belongs to the Church.

This he highlighted given the growing trend among some families who often push for inheritance/benefits at the death of their family members who were Priests or Religious.  The Bishop put it bluntly:

‘’ let me mention here, the Catholic Church is not a company where someone gets a salary. All that we get is a gift. So these who have joined [newly ordained Priests], I don’t think that they will have hefty salaries”.

Demand for Properties a growing problem

Aware of some families demanding for inheritance at the demise of Priests or Religious, the Bishop elaborated:

“this is somehow becoming a concern for the Church, the Bishops, probably for Superior Generals, Superiors of Religious Congregations.

“if the child we have offered to the Church happens to go back to the Father’s House, in short if that person dies, there are so many demands which are put on the Bishop and on the Congregation: Amulufe Mota (Give us the vehicle), Amulufe masheleng’i (Give us money)”.

The Bishop categorically appealed to the attentive Priesthood Ordination Congregation:

“let these demands lessen,

“this is becoming a very big big issue”.

Educate Family Members

As well as calling on the Church in Livingstone to lessen the demands they make on the Church, the Senior Most Clergyman in the Diocese took advantage of the Ordination occasion to address practising Clergy and Religious:

“probably as Religious, as Priests we don’t explain enough to our families that we don’t have anything….

“we are the property of the Church, so whatever we have belongs to the Church”.

As a measure to avert family disputes at the passing on of Diocesan Priests in the Diocese, all the Local Clergy and the Bishop have been, over the years asked to prepare their Last Will and Testament. These are deposited at the Office of the Bishop.