ZAMBIA: Priests Receive Formation on Marriage Legislation

Priests from the Diocese of Mpika in Zambia attended a three-day workshop at the Institute of Christian Leadership to study marriage laws under Canon 83. The training, facilitated by Rev. Fr. Chrispin Mwila, a canon lawyer from the Mansa Diocese, focused on helping priests better support couples and families.

Bishop Edwin Mulandu opened the workshop by telling the priests that Church marriage laws serve to protect the dignity and sanctity of Christian marriage rather than acting as simple rules. He encouraged the participants to apply their legal knowledge through pastoral charity and to discuss practical parish issues such as marriage preparation, matrimonial consent, impediments, canonical form, mixed marriages, and cases involving validity and nullity.

The Bishop noted that formation is a continuous process that continues after ordination to help priests serve the people of God with more confidence and sensitivity. The diocese organized the workshop to strengthen the pastoral ministry of its priests and improve their ability to handle marriage matters according to Catholic Church law.