The first Catholic television in the African country – Sunday Visitor

Catholic TV is the answer to the “spiritual hunger” of the faithful.

“Lumen TV Zambia” is the name of the first Catholic television this African country, which is expected to begin operations before the end of this year, transmissions are intended to cover the entire national territory. Hope for the implementation of this project local church harbored for years. Bishops zambijscy since 1994. Undertook a reflection on the use of means of social communication for evangelization. The first step was the creation of numerous radio stations in the diocese, which until now have proven to be most effective relay the Gospel message and the instrument of formation of the faithful.

Noting the enrichment of society episcopate also decided to open this new form of action. It has been observed for the majority of families (according to government statistics 94% per cent.) Has a TV, so the video is the first means of communication also religious content. They provide their primarily Protestant channels, sometimes directly fundamentalist and hostile to the Catholic Church. In Zambia, as in many other African countries, strongly develop new evangelical or Pentecostal communities, often founded by the local preacher, who often owe their success just television. Although as yet about half of Zambian Christians, constituting 87 per cent. the population is Catholic, and that more and more people coming to the new denominations and their media. Catholic television will become an alternative, satisfying their “spiritual hunger.”

The network schedule “Lumen TV Zambia” I have found not only religious programs, but also information and education. As noted by the secretary of the local episcopate, “the opening of a national Catholic television coverage will be the first step to find new areas and ways of carrying out the mission of the Church: to proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”