Today, 22nd September 2023, the Catholic Diocese of Ndola celebrated the 20th Memorial Anniversary of Late Bishop Dennis De Jong. Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Phiri JCD- Bishop of Ndola Diocese led the Eucharistic celebration to commemorate the Anniversary. The clergy, Catholics and non-Catholics alike gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the king to remember the late Bishop De Jong

LIFE HISTORY OF THE LATE BISHOP DENNIS HAROLD DE JONG

Rt. Rev. Dennis Harold was born on 2nd May 1931 in Chipata, Eastern Province of Zambia. He was the first born in a family of four, a female and three male.

He was born from Mr. Adriano De Jong a motor mechanic and PWD in the roads department and Bessie Elizabeth Browne a house wife.
In 1938 Dennis Harold started his Primary School at Katembwe Primary School which was later changed to Katopola Secondary’ School.
During the 1940’s Dennis went to St. Johns Missionary Boarding School in Harare, Zimbabwe.
In 1951 Dennis Harold completed his Secondary education at St. Johns Missionary Boarding School and worked as an untrained teacher at the same school for the year.

At the age of 18years he decided to become a priest.
He did his priestly training in Rome, Italy from 1952 to 1958.
He was ordained a priest on 20th December, 1958.
He had Masters Degree in Philosophy and Sacred Theology.
He studied Education in London where he obtained a Diploma in Education from 1959 to 1960. In 1960 Fr. Dennis Harold was appointed Rector at Francisdale Minor Seminary in Ndola.
He was the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ndola and Cathedral of Christ the King Administrator from 1967 to 1970.
He was appointed as the first Zambian Bishop of Ndola Diocese on 10th July 1975. He was ordained Bishop on 28th September, 1975.
Bishop De Jong served as president of the Zambia Episcopal Conference presently known as Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, from 1978 to 1984.

On 2nd January, 1986 he founded the Community of Bethany, a Lay Institute for the consecrated women.
He was also President of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) from 1987 to 1990.
From 1988 to 1993 he was a member of a small group of African Bishops who met regularly with some Vatican Officials to plan for the Synod of Bishops Special Assembly for Africa, which took place in Rome in April — May 1994. He participated in the African Synod as one of the ZCCB (By then ZEC) delegates.

May Bishop Dennis De Jong enjoy eternal joy and happiness with the Master Jesus Christ, the High Priest whom he served so faithfully until the end. Amen.