The Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual has proposed Social-Pastoral Project No. 25/2025, which calls for the relocation and renovation of the cemetery of the St. Theresa Mission, located in the Ibenga neighborhood of the district of Mpongwe, in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.
Founded in 1934 by missionaries from Italy, the St. Theresa Mission has been a spiritual and pastoral point of reference for the local population for decades. It currently serves a Christian community of approximately 1,200 faithful in a predominantly rural area of over 23,000 inhabitants. In this context, the mission not only provides pastoral care but also helps preserve the community’s history, culture, and religious traditions.
One of the most significant places in the mission is its cemetery, which contains the graves of the Conventual Franciscan friars and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi (SFMA). It is also a pilgrimage and prayer site for many faithful, thanks in particular to the presence of the tomb of the Most Reverend Francesco MAZZIERI, the first bishop of Ndola, Zambia, who died in 1983. The bishop, now recognized as a Servant of God on the way toward canonization, has made the cemetery a place of growing spiritual and religious importance.
In recent years, however, the construction of an artificial lake nearby, intended for the production of electrical energy, has resulted in the frequent flooding of the cemetery during the rainy season. This situation has caused profound distress among the Christian and religious community, making structural intervention necessary. After careful consideration, it was decided to relocate the cemetery to a higher area, a few hundred meters from its current location. The new land has already been purchased, and burials have been taking place there for the last few years.
The project goes beyond the simple transfer of remains and includes a comprehensive reorganization of the new cemetery area, so that it can meet the needs of the faithful and pilgrims in a dignified and appropriate manner. Planned works include infrastructure improvements to ensure safety, hospitality, and respect for the sacred character of the site, while encouraging prayer, reflection, and participation in liturgical celebrations.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: The Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia
- Country: Zambia
- Location: Ibenga – St. Theresa Mission
- Type of Project: Social-Pastoral project
- Date of Proposal: August 6, 2025
- Direct Project Coordinator:
- Friar Luke CHILAMBWE
- Email: ofmconvzm@gmail.com
- Total Project Cost: €48,196.54
- Local Contributions (Conventual Franciscan Province of Zambia and SFMA Province of Zambia)
- €9,639.31
- Requested Contribution:
- €38,557.23
How to Support the Project
You can support Project No. 25/2025 by making a financial contribution, indicating the project number and title in the payment description.
- Account Holder: CURIA GENERALIZIA DEI FRATI MINORI CONVENTUALI
- Bank: UniCredit S.p.A.
- IBAN: IT64I0200805098000105584887
- BIC / SWIFT: UNCRITM155X
- Reason for Payment: Project No. 25/2025 – relocation and renovation of the cemetery of the St. Theresa Mission (Zambia)
Projects Office
Donation Information
These bank details are provided exclusively to facilitate voluntary contributions in support of projects promoted by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
The IBAN number is provided solely for the purpose of making payments and does not authorize withdrawals or access to the account in any way.
Please specify the number and title of the project you are supporting in the payment description, so that contributions can be allocated correctly and resources managed transparently.
Every donation is welcomed as a sign of participation and shared responsibility in the mission of the Order; any use of the bank details outside of official channels cannot be attributed to the Order itself.
