Joseph Dupont (bishop): Difference between revisions

To avoid bloodshed Dupont asked the BSAC administration based in [[Chipata|Fort Jameson]] to take control of the Bemba lands. On 3 November 1898 the BSAC sent Charles MacKinnon and R.A. 'Bobo' Young from [[Mbala, Zambia|Mbala]] with a force which did the job and paved the way for a new Chitimukulu and Chief Mwamba to be installed and eventually led to a BSAC [[boma|boma]] being based in Kasama.<ref name="Carmody">[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-2748421_ITM Carmody, Brendan: "The politics of Catholic education in Zambia: 1891–1964".] ''Journal of Church and State,'' 22 September 2002.</ref>

Despite the fact that this must have been one of the few occasions in history when a Frenchman pushed a territory into the British Empire,<ref>Origin of this remark uncertain — possibly Professor David M Gordon or recounted by him.</ref> MacKinnon in particular was opposed to Dupont's presence in the country, not only because of the strife which it caused with the Chitimukulu, but also because Protestant missionaries of the London Missionary Society had set up in Mackinnon's district of Mbala and there were some rivalries with the Catholic White Fathers. To Dupont's amazement Mackinnon told him that he had no permission to remain there, according to orders of the new Administrator, Robert Codrington. Dupont protested that it was he who had opened up the Bemba to British control, and he stayed put. Codrington accepted the reality of the situation, and as a gesture of reconciliation and gratitude invited Dupont to sit beside him at the installation of the next chief in 1899.<ref name="Carmody"/><ref>[http://www.nrzam.org.uk/NRJ/V5N6/V5N6.htm ''The Northern Rhodesia Journal'' online at NRZAM.org:] W. F. Rea, SJ: "Bishop Dupont and the Bemba". Vol V, No. 6 (1964) pp 617–618. This article includes correspondence between Dupont and Codrington refuting the contention by some writers that Dupont actively sought the Mwamba chieftaincy.</ref>