Delegation Leaders Named for Zambia

An historic moment took place recently in the Oblate Delegation of Zambia when Fr. Joseph Phiri, OMI, became the first Zambian Oblate to take the reins of leadership in the delegation.  He succeeds Fr. Ron Carignan, OMI.  Fr. Phiri was appointed to his new position by the former provincial of the U.S. Province, Fr. David Kalert, OMI, and his provincial council since Zambia is a delegation of the U.S. Province.  The appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Oblate General Council in Rome during their January 2005 meeting.

One of the new delegation superior’s first acts was to receive the perpetual vows of a Zambian scholastic, Brother Valentine Kalumba, OMI, on  February 20, 2005, at the new Mary Immaculate Parish Tent Church.

Bro. Valentine received the Oblate cross of the late Fr. Luke Miville, OMI, (1909-1992), a native of Manchester, NH, who had served as the secretary of former Superior General, Fr. Théodore Laboré, OMI, during World War II.  A local sculptor added some Zambian material to the ebony background of the cross.

Fr. Phiri also received the commitment of 14 new pre-novices at the DeMazenod Formation House in Lusaka.  There are currently 25 young men discerning their vocation to Oblate religious life at DeMazenod, under the guidance of their formators, Fr. Evans Chinyemba, OMI, and Fr. Raymond Mwangala, OMI.

The Zambian delegation leadership team is made up of a core council: Frs. Joseph Phiri, Evans Chinyemba (Vicar Superior), Kennedy Sampa (Delegation Treasurer).  Other delegation councilors are Frs. Ron Carignan, Celestino Chishimba, Freeborn Kibombwe, Kennedy Sampa, Ron Walker, and Godfrey Mpundu.