PREAMBLE
The Catholic Church was founded to bring the Kingdom of
Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to give all
men and women a share in salvation and thus bring everything together
in Christ. Every Christian is called to play a part in this mission.
Because of our common dignity derived from Baptism, we
Lay Christians share responsibility for the Church’s mission; to be a
Christian also means to be an apostle (Laity n.2). As far as the laity
is concerned, the place where God calls us to work is in the world
around us, in our ordinary life situations and our relationships. Full
of the Spirit, we bear witness to the Gospel and help all people to
journey towards salvation.
The Gospel images of ‘salt’, ‘light’ and ‘leaven’ have
special relevance for the lay faithful; these are images of deep
involvement and full participation in the life of the world and the
human community (C.L.n.15). As lay people we ought to take on ourselves
as our distinctive task the renewal of the temporal order.
He African Synod of 1994 has highlighted that we are
the Family of God. The Church-as Family is oriented towards the
building of society, and the Synod insists that “task of the laity
through Baptism and Confirmation is to be the salt of the earth and the
light of the world especially in those places where only a lay person
is able t render the Church present” (Message African Synod 57)
An effective proclamation of the Gospel can be fully
carried out through the enlightened contribution of all believers. In
his message to the Church in Africa the Holy Father asks that “the
laity be trained so that they can fully exercise their role of inspiring
the temporal order – political, cultural, economic and social – with
Christian principles, which is the specific task of the laity’s
vocation in the world” (EA 75)
Article 1.0 NAME:
The organisation shall be called the Zambia National
Council for the Catholic Laity, referred to hereafter as the ZNCCL.
Article 2.0 PURPOSE:
The role and purpose of the ZNCCL is to promote the
effective participation of the laity in the life and mission of the
Catholic Church in Zambia.
Article 3.0 OBJECTIVES:
To facilitate the development of a mature laity by offering training for our mission in the Church and in society,
To facilitate the laity to understand and fulfil the evangelization mission that is ours by virtue of our baptism,
To promote unity and dialogue among the laity and
with other members of God’s family in order to build up the Church as a
family,
To encourage the creation and growth of
structures through which lay people can effectively participate in the
life and mission of the Church,
To co –ordinate all apostolic lay movements and associations approved by ZCCB and affiliated to ZNCCL,
To act as spokesperson for the laity,
To be a forum for the exchange of information on matters affecting the laity at national, regional and international levels,
Article 4.0 MEMBERSHIP:
4.1 Dioceses: through Dioceses Laity Structures,
4.2 Apostolic Movements and Associations approved by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops,
4.3 Ex-officio members: the Episcopal Director of the Laity
The National Pastoral Co-ordinator
The National Organising Secretary
Honorary members as conferred by the Council
Article 5.0 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP:
5.1 The applicants shall submit to the Executive their
Constitution, the application form and admission fees. The Executive
will inform the Annual General Meeting.
5.2 Membership Fees: All member bodies shall pay
admission fee and annual subscription fee as determined by the
Executive and ratified by the General Meeting.
Article 6.0 BRANCHES:
The ZNCCL may have as its branches the National Council
of Catholic Women, the National Council of Catholic Men, the National
Council of Catholic Youth to respond to their respective constituents.
These Councils shall have their own Constitutions and shall be
accountable to the Zambia National Council for the Catholic Laity.
Article 7.0 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
7.1 The General Meeting of the ZNCCL shall be held once a year
7.2 The General Meeting shall be attended by:
Four representatives from each Diocese including the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator,
Two representatives from each member Movement/Association including the appointed National Chaplain if there is one,
Two representatives from each branch one of which is the serving member on the Executive Committee,
The elected and co opted members of the Executive Committee,
The ex-officio members.
7.3 Any Catholic who has served the
Laity well may be nominated by the Executive Committee for life
honorary membership. The nomination shall be ratified by the Annual
General Meeting.
7.4 Voting: all those entitled to be present at the
Annual General Meeting according to Article 7.2 shall have the right to
vote. Non-payment of annual subscription fees suspends the defaulting
party from the right to vote.
7.5 Every member except ex-officio and honorary members shall have one vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
7.6 Every matter put to vote shall be decided by a
simple majority except in case of Articles 8.3 and 16 of this
Constitution. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a
casting vote.
7.7 The Episcopal Director and the National Pastoral
Co-ordinator shall advise the Annual General Meeting concerning
resolutions and decisions in matters relating to doctrine or policies
of national importance.
7.8 The quorum for a General Meeting shall be 50% of its member bodies including at least (5) Dioceses.
7.9 The Agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall be
prepared and sent to all the participants at least three (3) months
before the Annual General Meeting.
Article 8.0 ELECTIONS:
8.1 Elections shall be held every three years.
All members, except ex-officio and honorary, have the
right to vote and to be voted for, on condition that their respective
movements or associations have paid their yearly subscription fees.
8.2 All elections of office bearers shall be by secret vote.
8.3 The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be
elected by a ⅔ majority, all other office bearers by a simple majority.
8.4 If in the first vote nobody received the required
majority, second vote will be cast between the two candidates with the
greatest number of votes.
8.5 An electoral commission will be set up comprising
ex-officio and or other non eligible members other than those who have
defaulted to introduce and conduct the elections in an atmosphere of
prayer.
Article 9.0 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
9.1 The Executive Committee shall be elected by the
General Meeting of the ZNCCL, shall be composed of the
following:
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Secretary
Vice Secretary
Treasurer
Vice Treasurer
Two elected members
9.2 The Executive Committee may co opt not more than two members to complement the elected Executive.
9.3 Each branch shall elect one representative to the
Executive Committee who shall report regularly on the activities of the
branch.
9.4 The term of office of the Executive is three (3) years eligible for re-election but not more than twice in succession.
9.5 Extended Executive meetings shall consist of the
Executive Committee together with one representative of all the member
bodies.
9.6 Sub Committees: The ZNCCL Executive shall
constitute them as and when necessary. They are accountable to the
Executive Committee; their mandate shall terminate with the term of
office of the National Executive which appointed them. Each
sub-committee shall have a member of the Executive Committee as an
ex-officio member.
9.7 Termination of Service:
Any office bearer can be relieved of his/her duties by
the Executive Committee subject to ratification by the Annual General
Meeting in case of:
Ill health and incapacity,
Resignation,
Failure to attend three consecutive meetings without valid reasons,
Gross misconduct,
For serious reasons, submitted in writing, a vote
of no confidence towards the Executive Committee can be passed by the
Annual General Meeting by a ⅔ majority.
9.8 Casual vacancies shall be filled by the Executive Committee subject to ratification by the Annual General Meeting.
Article 10.0 FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
To implement decisions taken by the ZNCCL General
Meetings and to pursue the objectives of the Council between General
meetings,
To assist and mediate between the different member bodies,
To prepare and attend Executive meetings once a quarter
To call for Extended Executive meetings once a year or as need arises,
To call emergency meetings of the entire National Council when deemed necessary or on request of more than five member bodies.
Article 11.0 THE NATIONAL PASTORAL CO ORDINATOR:
The National Pastoral Co-ordinator shall;
Provide spiritual leadership to the Laity and foster their involvement in the life and mission of the Church.
Advise the ZNCCL and the Episcopal Conference so that the lay activities are in accordance with the mind of the Church,
Assist the ZNCCL implement decisions of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Article 12.0 THE NATIONAL ORGANISING SECRETARY:
There shall be a National Organising Secretary to the
Council appointed by the Executive with the approval of the Episcopal
Director.
12.1 The functions of National Organising Secretary shall be:
To ensure that decisions made by the Executive
Committee relating to the effective organisation and formation of the
laity in Zambia are implemented,
To ensure that the recommendations of the Zambia
National Council for the Catholic Laity are disseminated to relevant
organisations and movements for the purpose of monitoring/follow up,
To be the link between the ZNCCL Executive
Committee and the member bodies, encouraging unity and co ordination
through regular contacts,
To ensure proper management and custody of all assets of the Zambia National Council for the Catholic Laity and its branches.
Article 13.0 FINANCES:
All funds of the ZNCCL shall be lodged on one or
more banks in accounts entitled “The Zambia National Council for the
Catholic Laity”.
All cheques and withdrawal forms shall be signed
by the Treasurer or Vice-Treasurer on Panel A and one of the following:
the Chairperson, National Organising Secretary, or National Pastoral
Coordinator on Panel B.
The funds of the Council shall only be used to promote the objectives and policies of the ZNCCL.
The Financial Year end shall be 31 March
Audited accounts shall be made available and presented to the Annual General Meeting at the time of elections.
The Zambia National Council for the Catholic
Laity acting through the Executive Committee (the Trustees) may borrow
and give security for such money as they may decide to be necessary for
its purpose.
No funds shall be solicited from funding agencies
without the recommendation from the Executive Committee, and the
approval of the Bishop Director.
Any local fundraising done in the name of the ZNCCL must be approved by the Executive Committee.
ZNCCL has the right to raise funds and receive donations.
Article 14.0 BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
The Executive Committee shall act as a Board of
Trustees for the Laity. It shall be entitled to purchase, to acquire
and dispose of assets and liabilities as deemed necessary.
Article 15.0 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:
All constitutional matters shall be translated officially in the English language.
Article 16.0 INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION:
In case need arises to interpret some parts of the
constitution, this shall be done collectively by the Chairperson, the
National Organising Secretary and the National Pastoral Coordinator,
subject to approval of the Annual General Meeting
Article 17.0 AMENDMENTS:
This constitution may be amended by a two thirds
majority of the voting members of the Council provided that one month’s
notice in writing of the proposed amendment is given to all members.
A majority of ⅔ of those present at the meeting shall
be required to pass such amendments, as well as the subsequent approval
by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).
Signed by:
CHAIPERSON
SECRETARY
NATIONAL PASTORAL COORDINATOR
Revised: 2015
Updated 2018
