From 3,000 Faithful to 110,000: The Diocese of Solwezi in Zambia Celebrates 50 Years

(ZENIT News – OMPress / Zambia, 06.01.2026). – The Catholics of Solwezi celebrated the Golden Jubilee of this Zambian Diocese with a massive procession, making visible, as its motto stated: «A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Love,» which is what the history of the Church has been, in this region of northern Zambia, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The pilgrimage took place on Saturday, May 23, the eve of Pentecost, and began at St. Kizito Parish in Solwezi, where the Franciscan Conventuals established their first mission in 1939. From this parish, considered the birthplace of the Diocese, they processed through the city streets to St. Daniel Comboni Cathedral, where the Mass was celebrated. In his homily, Bishop Charles Kasonde noted that it was a special opportunity to give thanks to God for the faithfulness and perseverance of the first missionaries, who brought Catholic evangelization to the northwestern province of Zambia, of which Solwezi is the capital. To all those present, he said, «You are beneficiaries and witnesses of how the disciples of Jesus Christ gave their lives for the mission of bringing God’s salvation to future generations.» Monsignor Kasonde, who also presides over the Association of Episcopal Conferences of East Africa (AMECEA), explained that «today we celebrate 50 years of faithful service to the Lord. In the early days, the missionaries faced obstacles, including government resistance to granting them land to settle and begin the mission. This reminds us that our mission is not always easy; it often involves challenges.» He added, «We are here as beneficiaries of God’s goodness and mercy. Therefore, our celebration of these 50 years is justified and is a way to appreciate the wonders that God continues to bestow upon humanity and, in particular, upon the Diocese of Solwezi.»

Until 1959, the territory of the present-day Diocese of Solwezi was part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Ndola, under the care of the Conventual Franciscans. On April 9, 1959, the Apostolic Prefecture of Solwezi was established, entrusted to Father Rupert Hillerich, OFMConv. At that time, the Catholic population numbered barely three thousand. It was on December 19, 1976, that Pope Paul VI elevated that Apostolic Prefecture to a Diocese.

From the six parishes of 1976, Solwezi now has 40 parishes and sub-parishes distributed across eight deaneries. Between 1974 and 1976, the Diocese of Solwezi had four diocesan priests, fourteen Conventual Franciscan friars, eight Brothers, three Sisters of St. John the Baptist, and thirty-eight catechists. Currently, the Diocese has fifty-five diocesan priests ordained since its foundation in 1976. Thirty-nine diocesan priests are currently serving in active ministry.

The Diocese is composed of 170  men and women religious: 30 Brothers, 73 Sisters, and 28 priests religious, including Fidei Donum priests and missionaries from Congregations and Religious Orders. Furthermore, and this is one of its greatest achievements, it has 950 catechists and community leaders, trained through the Diocese’s continuing formation program.