Friends Of Zomba Diocese In Colorful Sendoff Of AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator

Fr. Chimombo pose with Friends of Zomba Diocese

 

Fr. Chimombo pose with Friends of Zomba Diocese

The group of Friends of Zomba Diocese living in Lilongwe Arch Diocese, on Sunday gathered in Area 12 to sendoff Reverend Father Emmanuel Chimombo, newly appointed Pastoral Coordinator for AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa) who is leaving for Kenya to work at  AMECEA Secretariat.

A large crowd of Catholic faithful from Zomba Diocese organised the colorful ceremony and presented their gifts to express their happiness that a priest from home diocese has been appointed to serve the big institution in the Catholic in the region as AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator.

Friends of Zomba going to present their gifts to Fr. Chimombo

Fr. Chimombo receiving presents from Mr. Nanthambwe chairperson for Friends of Zomba Diocese

  

"We are very proud that you Fr. Chimombo, a son from Zomba diocese has been appointed as Pastoral Coordinator for AMECEA Secretariat. This is why we mobilised ourselves to hold this ceremony today to celebrate your appointment and wish you well as you go to Kenya for this new task that the Lord has given you in our church of AMECEA region." Said Mr. Stephen Nanthambwe chairperson of Friends of Zomba Diocese 

Several speakers at the event expressed their utmost excitement for this appointment and offered words of encouragement to Fr. Chimombo to continue working hard as he has been doing while working at Catholic Secretariat of Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM). 

This colorful event also helped to bring together the faithful from Zomba Diocese living in Lilongwe Arch Diocese.

Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo

Fr. Chimombo glad with the presents from Friends of Zomba Diocese

In his remarks, Fr. Chimombo thanked the faithful for the support and encouraged them to pray for one another.

"Its quite a big task but with your prayers and help of God I will work well" said Fr. Chimombo while encouraging members to remain united and work together as Catholic faithful and work to continue helping the church.

Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo, a diocesan priest from Zomba diocese was consecrated priest in 1999 and comes from Mayaka Parish.

During its Ordinary Executive Board Meeting held from 19 to 20 May 2016 at the AMECEA Secretariat, Nairobi in Kenya, the AMECEA Executive Board resolved to appoint Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo from the Episcopal Conference of Malawi in the position of Pastoral Coordinator. Until his appointment, Reverend Father Chimombo was serving as the National Pastoral Secretary and Deputy Secretary General.

AMECEA is a Catholic service organization for the National Episcopal Conferences of the eight countries of Eastern Africa, namely Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Djibouti and Somalia are affiliate members.

ECM AMECEA Thanks Giving Mass; Credits the Faithful, Zuza & MW Govt for Supporting the Plenary

ECM AMECEA Thanks Giving Mass; Credits the Faithful, Zuza & MW Govt for Supporting the Plenary 

Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa
Photo by ECM Communications

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has recognized the role Catholic faithful, all Malawians, individuals and government played for the support towards the successful hosting for the 18th Plenary of Association for Member Episcopal Conferences for East Africa (AMECEA) last year in July.

During the Thanks Giving Mass for the successful hosting of AMECEA Plenary on Saturday at Don Bosco Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe, the newly elected chairman for ECM His Grace Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa said the church in Malawi has been the envy for the AMECEA region for the successful host of the conference between 16th to 26th July 2014. 

He among others said the church did well in preparations, hosting delegates and ensure that everything went on as planned to the last hour of the conference. He said this was dedication and cooperation by the faithful a positive spirit shoeing that the church in Malawi can do more.

Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa
Photo by ECM Communications

“As we are thanking God for the successful host of AMECEA conference, we also have to remember all those who worked tirelessly ensuring that we have a very successful conference.” said Msusa in his introductory remarks at the beginning of the mass, “We Catholic Bishops are very grateful that this success came from all of you and all other groups in the church. You really made us proud hosting that event” 

Part of Congregation

Arch Bishop Msusa also attributed successful host of AMECEA conference to the wise leadership of the late Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza who at that time as a chairman for ECM provided various oversight roles that enabled the church to take a good path for hosting the conference and asked the congregation to remember him in prayers.

Congregation asked to Pray for
Late Bishop Zuza

Msusa further thanked the Malawi government for supporting the church during the time of the conference particularly on security of all the delegates from AMECEA region.

The Chairman noted “a very big contribution to the success of the plenary” the support to the church from State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika towards the conference using his pocket money.

He also expressed gratitude for the continued support to the church by the Vice President of Malawi Hon. Saulosi Chilima. The Arch Bishop said from start, Chilima helped the church in mobilizing resources for the conference.

Chilima appreciated for his support 

Collections for the mass were dedicated towards the help of flood victims of all the affected 15 districts and Bishop Msusa reminded priests, religious and the faithful to set aside Sunday 8th February 2015, as a special day for collections towards assistance of flood victims and appealed for more donation of cash or basic needs like food (non perishable), kitchen utensils, clothes among others.. He also reminded that all items collected at parishes should be brought to the Bishop’s House by Saturday 14th February 2015 for records and forwarding to the affected people.

At the end of the Mass representatives from all eight dioceses were given a book containing agreements made by Bishops during the 18th Plenary for AMECEA so that the message is taken to all the people. 

Chilima and madam Chilima exiting from
Don Bosco church 

The Thanks Giving Mass was attended by the vice president of the republic of Malawi honorable Saulosi Chilima