Catholic Bishops lament record 31,000 divorce cases in 2022, ask families to spend less time on phones, television

It is shameful that more than 31,000 divorces were recorded last year, says the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), as it raises concern on the moral decay in the country.

ZCCB Secretary General Francis Mukosa in his 2023 lenten message issued on Tuesday said it was alarming and shameful to record more than 31,000 divorce cases in the courts of law in 2022.

He identified lack of proper communication among families as one of the causes of broken homes in the country.

“It is alarming and shameful to record more than 31,000 divorce cases in the courts of law in 2022. It has also been established that one of the major causes of family breakdown in Zambia is lack of proper communication.

“Therefore, abstaining from gluing to the TV screen or mobile phones as a form of fasting can actually help families to have time to listen to each other and engage in communal prayers,” Mukosa said.

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He therefore encouraged families to spare some time from watching TV and using the phone, saying they should have time to listen to each other and engage in communal prayers.

Mukosa called all to observe lent as a moment of deep and thoughtful conversations especially among family members.

He said lenten observance if done in families could be a moment for bonding and a powerful reminder of the influence that parents had in the lives of their children.

“It is common knowledge today among Zambians that moral decay is a reality and a serious national concern. Thus, the Lenten period should be understood as a time for repentance and conversion, and can be a privileged moment for the nation to uphold national values and principles.

“This calls for concerted efforts in bringing about change of mindset and behaviour,” he said.

He emphasised that Lent was the Christian season of spiritual preparation before Easter as specific time is dedicated to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Mukosa also said that the concerns of the poor should be attended to during the Lent season.

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