Catholic priest Bangwe dies in road accident
By Staff Reporter
Jesuit priest Father John Bangwe on Sunday died in a road accident on his way to Lusaka from the Copperbelt where he was chaplain at the Copperbelt University (CBU).
He was ordained Priest in May 2017.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed that the accident happened at 15 30 Hours at Kashitu area on Ndola highway.
“Involved was a driver John Bangwe aged 38 of Kitwe who was driving a Toyota Hilux registration number ALB 4668 from North to South. The accident happened when the driver failed to keep to his near side in the process went to hit into a tree on the right side of the road,” Katongo said.
“He sustained injuries and died on the way to the Hospital. The body is lying in Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church in Zambia has expressed grief at the death of Fr. Bangwe .
Speaking on behalf of Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Secretary General Fr. Cleophas Lungu, National Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Justin Matepa said that the death of Fr. Bangwe who had been a priest for 2 years and 2 months was a sad development to the Church.
Fr. Matepa has since appealed to the Catholic faithful to emulate Fr. Bangwe’s zeal to preach and sharing the word of God.
Making reference to October’s Missionary Month’s theme of Baptized and Sent, Fr. Matepa noted that Fr. Bangwe answered and understood his call to priesthood by witnessing to young people at Copperbelt University when he took up an apostolate as the University Chaplain.
“Fr. John Bangwe , 38 died in a fatal road traffic accident on 07th July, 2019 at 15 30 hours at Kashitu area on Ndola highway,”he said.
