Bishop Raphael Mweempwa Establishes Canon Law Association in Zambia

In brief

Bishop Raphael Mweempwa has established the Canon Law Association of Zambia (CLAZ) to provide specialized support to dioceses, parishes, and ecclesiastical institutions. During the association's first plenary meeting at Kapingila House in Lusaka, the Bishop of Monze and patron of the group stated that the association must use its expertise to strengthen the mission of the Catholic Church rather than acting as a professional club or a parallel authority to bishops.

The association has been approved for a three-year probationary period to demonstrate its value to the Church. Father Francis Mukosa, the secretary general of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and the first interim coordinator of CLAZ, said the group was endorsed by 13 pioneer members during a virtual meeting.

CLAZ intends to unite canonists to promote formation and collaboration. The group will assist with matters such as marriage cases, clerical discipline, and Church procedures while helping to protect the rights of the faithful. Bishop Mweempwa noted that canon law should remain connected to the lives of the faithful and be applied with prudence, fairness, confidentiality, and pastoral charity.