Joseph Dupont (bishop): Difference between revisions

In 1896 Chitimukulu VII Sampa Kapalakasha died and the title remained vacant while the succession was worked out. Dupont tried to get permission from the most powerful Senior Chief, Mwamba III at Milungu, to expand the mission but was rejected. However, in 1898 Chief Mwamba fell ill and sent for Dupont, who had some medical skills and a reputation for healing. Before the chief died the next year he and his council were sufficiently impressed by Dupont's help they asked him to succeed as chief.<ref name="newadvent">[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11172b.htm New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia website: "Nyassa"], accessed 26 March 2007</ref> This provoked a crisis because, firstly, the coronation of a new chief required human sacrifice, and, secondly, a Bemba civil war threatened over the succession of the Chitimukulu. At first Dupont, who had become very knowledgeable about Bemba culture and traditions, agreed to act as chief to forestall trouble,<ref name="newadvent"/> joking that he should take on Chief Mwamba's wives.<ref name="dacb"/> Meanwhile, he gathered support from the 33 subordinate Bemba chiefs for his next action.