. Archbishop Spaita

By DELPHINE ZULU –

GOVERNMENT has learnt with shock and sorrow, the death of Archbishop Emeritus James Mwewa Spaita, of Kasama Catholic Archdiocese.

Chief Government spokesperson Joseph Katema, in a message of condolences yesterday, said the death of Archbishop Spaita was unbearable to the nation which was still engulfed in deep grief and sorrow following the passing of President Michael Sata.

Archbishop Spaita, 80, died on Wednesday at Kasama General Hospital in Northern Province, after an illness.

Dr Katema, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, described the Archbishop Spaita as a peace and nation builder, a tireless and relentless voice, who advocated for social justice and well-being of humanity.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Zambia, I convey deep-felt condolences to Kasama Catholic Archdiocese, in particular and the Catholic Church as a whole, on this loss, we beseech God Almighty to comfort and strengthen us as a nation as we go through this painful loss,” he said.

The late Archbishop Spaita served the Church and the nation with passion, love and humility during his over 50 years of service in the Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, the burial for the late Archbishop Spaita has been set for tomorrow, November 7, 2014.

The burial will be preceded by a requiem mass at St. John Cathedral in Kasama at 09:00 hours before his burial in the same Cathedral grounds.

Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) director for communication Fr Winfield Kunda said there will also be a Vigil Mass today at 18:30 hours.

Archbishop Spaita was born on April 8, 1934 and ordained as priest in 1962.

He was appointed Bishop for Mansa diocese in 1974 and in 1990 he became Archbishop of Kasama before retiring in 2009.