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Telling the stories of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, NZ and Polynesia

Bishop John Osmers: a living saint

Dean of the St Luke’s Cathedral Msoro, the Very Rev Edward Zimba sends condolences to Bishop John Osmers’ family and friends and to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Eastern Zambia in the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa. 

Edward Zimba  |  10 Aug 2021  |

On behalf of Bishop William Mchombo, the Diocese of Eastern Zambia and on my own behalf, I share thoughts on the legacy and ministry of Bishop John R. Osmers in the Church of Zambia. 

Bishop John dedicated his life to serve God and the people of our diocese, country and beyond. He is a founding father of our diocese. 

Bishop John R. Osmers was described by many as a living saint, because he touched people's lives from different backgrounds, supporting them in areas of education and health, both Zambians and non-Zambians living in Zambia and the region.

He did all he could for the sake of others, especially the welfare and wellbeing of refugees.

He did all he could in the liberation struggle of the people of South Africa and the region to an extent of losing his right hand in a bomb letter from the then South African "Apartheid" government. 

He was indeed a helping hand as described in a documentary broadcasted by South African Broadcasting Corporation called  " A helping Hand: A tribute to Bishop John Osmers for his contribution towards the Liberation of South Africa" on 10th February, 2013.

As the first bishop of Eastern Zambia, Bishop John laid a great foundation for the diocese by buying houses for sustainability. This foundation will help all his successors and the faithful in the diocese.

He will be remembered for his work to ensure growth of the Church in both spiritual and numerical forms through various positions he held such as Education Secretary for the then Lusaka Diocese which included Eastern Province, Bishop of the newly born diocese of Eastern Zambia, Rector of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Seminary and as an Assistant Priest at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross until the time of his demise. 

He played a pivotal role in the support to the underprivileged people, especially the refugees.

Bishop John Osmers is a hero of faith. His involvement in the support, formation and mentoring of young people in the diocese will always be cherished. He supported a lot of young people in their secondary and tertiary education. 

He always maintained a certain number of priests in proportion to the income of the diocese.  

Many of the young people were mentored in the diocese among the area of infrastructure development for sustainability. The construction of a two-storeyed building in Chipata named after Bishop John Osmers is such an example born out of his mentorship.

Bishop John was a peace maker. He cared for the victims of war or conflict from other countries who are in the refugee camps in Zambia. He brought them into his home and regarded them as his children. 

Bishop John was involved in the welfare of former Rwandan refugees who are doing their tertiary education and also advocating for their local integration in Zambia. At the time of his demise, 26 young people were being sponsored by him.

Many are times that he came to the aid of refugees when they were in conflict with the law due to desperation. 

In 1989, Bishop John Osmers moved from Botswana to Lusaka, Zambia, where for five years he was chaplain to the ANC, as well as helping officiate at ANC funerals, weddings, and national services, he provided pastoral care for those who were sick and in prison.

During his service as Bishop of Eastern Zambia, bishop John visited each and every congregation to carry out adult baptisms and confirmations. He ate what the local people prepared for him, and slept wherever they offered him a place. 

All the clergy in our diocese have a testimony to give about him. 

Personally Bishop John came into my life when I was 16 years old, at a time that I lost my dad. I have lived closely with him for the past 23 years. I am who I am because of him. My wife and I are privileged to name our first born child who was born on 24th January, 2013 after him.  Each one of us have a story to tell. He was a blessing to many souls. 

In the footsteps of bishop John, his successor Bishop William, his clergy and faithful in the diocese constructed a Diocesan Centre named after him which was commissioned on 25th April 2021 by our President of Zambia, and in attendance was Bishop John Osmers.

He was a living saint among us, and now though he has died, his legacy lives on. 

 

May his soul continue resting in peace.

 

The Very Revd Edward Zimba, Dean of St Luke's Msoro. 

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