The Ibenga Mission, commonly known as the St. Theresa Shrine, is a Catholic mission in the Masaiti District of Copperbelt, Zambia.
The mission serves the local community and beyond by providing spiritual guidance as well as health and education services. It is run by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia with help from the Franciscan Sisters of Assisi under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Ndola.
Around 5 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018, the entire region experienced severe thunderstorms which ripped the roofs off of the church, the school hall and the operating room at the hospital. This has affected activities at the mission especially now that exams are underway. The operating room is also currently unusable and incapable of providing critical services to the community.
The spiritual life of the community has also been affected, since the church’s roof has been ripped off. We thank God that there were no human casualties or loss of life.
Friar Mathews KASONGO, OFM Conv., Provincial Secretary
