Catholic Church Echo Appeal For Food Assistance In Malawi

Most Rev. Msusa signed the statement 

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has appealed to people of goodwill to quickly assist thousands of Malawians facing hunger during this 2016/2017 consumption year as the magnitude of the food shortage threatens lives of many Malawians.

Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee Report (MVAC, 2016) indicates 6.5 million Malawians require humanitarian assistance.

Catholic Church Fight To Curb Child Abuse Launches Child Protection Policy

Arch Bishop Msusa

The Catholic Church in Malawi launches Child Protection Policy which seeks to provide guidelines, coordination and support for child protection in the socio-economic, cultural and pastoral reflection of all Catholic institutions.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Bishop Chairman, His Grace Thomas Luke Msusa said at the launch that the policy will contribute to fulfilling the Church mission in creating awareness and empowerment of people at grassroots to undertake development that is sensitive to children’s welfare in order to make sure that children are protected in all spheres.

The policy contains issues of child care, justice, protection and dignity of the children and an assurance that the rights of a child are protected in accordance with the Gospel values of Jesus Christ.

It also recognizes different forms of child abuse including sexual, physical, emotional, neglect, negligent, child labour among others that persist in Malawi society.

Msusa said the Church is through the policy set to advance child protection issues in all its instutitions as a matter of urgency by ensuring that Church activities become sensitive to Child Protection issues "in fulfillment of Christ’s evangelization mission of love and justice.”

He mentioned that as the country continues to experience a lot of heinous crimes against children that includes: early marriages; the unimaginable rape cases in courts; the child trafficking cases and the abduction of people with albinism, the Church is convinced that the Policy “is timely intervention”

He said the Policy will complement government’s interventions to curb child abuse and urged everyone to take active role and support implementation of the Policy for full realization of tangible strides.

“As Church we shall continue to mainstream protection in all our spheres of work… we also wish to challenge all our cooperating partners and Government as well to join hands in programming to advance safeguarding issues.

Together let us design our programmes so as to tackle child abuse cases holistically and bridge the gaps that exist in this area.” He said

His Grace Msusa also called upon Government to seriously priorities review of some of the documents guiding child care as well as effective implementation of the 2010 Child Care Justice and Protection Act. He added; “We urge all responsible authorities to be proactive and take swift action on reporting issues to do with child abuse.” 

The Catholic Bishop Chairman further asked Malawians to reject and denounce the evil social morals that perpetuate violence and abuse and cause moral decadence. But emphasized the need to uphold only positive cultural norms that present a brighter future for the nation.

"I am at pains to accept the deep rooted systems in our country that perpetrate child abuse. Undeniably there are some harmful cultural practices that we must all join hands to eradicate as they are counter to Gospel values that we profess.” Said Msusa

Kaliati

Meawhile, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare who was present at the occasion of the launch on Thursday at Msamba Parish in Lilongwe, thanked the Church for its continued efforts in complementing Government efforts in ending Child Abuse.

"We are really very grateful that our Catholic Bishops have taken this positive. This Policy will complement the Government Policies.

Kaliati

We are very sure that with this policy we are going to reduce violence against our children because a lot of people will be aware of the child rights and to know the importance of taking care of the children as well as consequences that follow if someone abuses the child” said Kaliati

According to Msusa, ECM developed the Policy to guide child care and safeguarding of children after long time reflection on the status the children, and the future of generation of the Church and country, in cognizance to country’s cultural and moral values and demand to embrace modern technology.

The developed Policy provides that Child Protection Office will work proactively with all Catholic institutions towards ensuring that reasonable measures are taken to minimize the risk of harm to children in church institutions, programmes and activities.

It also states that the Church will work proactively and reactively, responding to concerns and allegations of child abuse and liaising with all Catholic institutions to ensure that cases if child abuse are properly dealt with.

In Malawi, child abuse cases from 2013 statistics released by Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare on the study on Violence against Children and Young Women indicates that half of Malawians aged 18 to 24 years and one third of Malawians aged 13 to 17 years reported witnessing violence in the home.

The Church is expected to take the Policy documents to all its institution across the country and every person taking care of the child will sign that they are going to safeguard the protection policy.

Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop For Zomba Diocese: Fr. George Tambala

Pope Francis has on Thursday appointed father George Desmund Tambala as Bishop who will take charge of Zomba diocese.
 

“The Apostolic Nunciature in Malawi informs that the Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Reverend Father George Desmund Tambala, O.C.D., as bishop of Zomba” reads announcement from Episcopal Conference of Malawi

The statement indicates that the announcement was made Thursday 15^th of October 2015 in the Vatican City.

“His Grace Most Reverend Thomas Msusa, Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Diocese of Zomba, remains in charge of Diocese until the new Bishop will take possession of the Episcopal See of Zomba.” Reads the statement

Born on 11 November 1968 in Zomba, Rev. Father George Desmund Tambala was ordained priest on 13 April 1996 at Chiphaso Parish in Kasungu district in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe after his theological studies at Tangaza College in Nairobi.

Among others held several positions including; Parochial Vicar in Kapiri- Arch Diocese of Lilongwe (1996-1998); Postulants Master in Balaka and teacher of Spirituality (2000-2002); and Superior of the House of Spirituality of Nyungwe- Blantyre.

From 2009 until his appointment he is Definitor General in charge of Africa and Madagascar and the Order of Discalced Carmelites.

Since 21 November 2013 when His Holiness Pope Francis appointed the Right Reverend Thomas Luke Msusa Archbishop of Blantyre, transferring him from the Episcopal See of Zomba., the Diocese had no bishop.

Pope Francis Encyclical To Help Climate Change Mitigation in MW

Pope Francis 'letter' Encyclical 'Laudato Si' meaning 'Praise God' has received a warm welcome from Malawi Government as a document that complements efforts on climate change mitigation.

Encyclical 'Laudato Si' launched in Malawi Tuesday night in the Capital city Lilongwe

"It is extremely fortunate that the Encyclical 'Laudato Si' is moving extremely in tandem with government plans, policies and actions on climate change" said Honorable Bright Msaka, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining who graced the occasion as guest of honor

"This is not one man's effort we must collaborate in order to achieve the intended objective." Said Msaka

"The Catholic Church has a very broad reach in Malawi. If this Encyclical is going to be read in all Catholic churches in Malawi and listened to by all the Catholics, then we will have a very critical mass there of Christians in the Catholics church supporting government effort to achieve the kind of actions we want to undertake."

The Minister also assured that government is making positive strides on conservation and address issues of climate change conservation. 

"This Government is doing everything it can to ensure that nature is preserved" said Msaka 

"We would like to assure the nation that we will leave nothing undone to ensure that the environment is protected. We will reduce and eliminate green house gases and everything that is depleting ozone layer and that goes with it" he said 

His Grace Thomas Msusa

Speaking on the Encyclical 'Laudato Si', Bishop Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, His Grace, Thomas Msusa said "Climate change is here" and that Pope Francis in his Encyclical 'Laudato Si', looks back what God did. 

"Before creating human beings God created nature; trees, plants and other things and then human person was put in that creation." Said Msusa

"So Pope Francis as he looks back sees nature, and that the world is not as it was before. Pope Francis is concerned about the co-existence of human beings and nature. We are related with nature, we are part of nature. However, people are destroying the nature." He said 

"Pope Francis is urging us to take care of our natural resources and all what God created. He wants us to be responsible. He calls us to receive this message to look and think of climate change. It is there and we have to control it" urged ECM Bishop chairman

Arch Bishop Msusa further urged Malawians to take care of their natural resources, "Here in Malawi there is wanton cutting down of trees, burning of bushes unnecessarily. But let us replant trees, take care of our natural resources so that our future generation can also enjoy what God created"

Speed Climate Policy Enactment Urge Catholic Church

His Grace Thomas Msusa 

Catholic Church in Malawi has emphasided the importance of enactment of all legislations that may support in mitigating the continued effects of climate change. 

Malawi has this year experienced worst climate change effects following erratic rainfall and floods in most parts of the country. 

The Bishop Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) His Grace, Thomas Msusa has asked Malawi Government to speed up the process of enacting all policies that addresses the climate change mitigation.

Msusa was speaking at on Tuesday night in the Capital city, Lilongwe during the launch of Pope Francis Encyclical 'Laudato Si' which calls the world to protect and preserve the environment.

"Surely in Malawi we are affected seriously about climate change." Said Msusa Arch Bishop of Blantyre Arch Diocese then gave an example of recent adverse floods and drought which hit most parts of the country as a vivid sign that climate issues needs serious attention.

"So we would like to see government which is concerned with the welfare of poor people to speed enactment of climate policy" urged Msusa

"We are agro-based economy." He said, "We would like to invite political leaders, government and religious leaders and everyone to have an advocacy on these policies that government should speed up enactment of Agriculture policy and Climate policy" adding that this will help people to have proper direction on taking care of environment

Hon Bright Msaka 

Responding to the call, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Hon. Bright Msaka who was at the launch a guest of honor said Government is "making huge progress" on process of enactment of legislations that are deals with climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Msaka said; "We are leaving nothing undone to ensure that we address the effects of climate change, mitigate and adapt"  

He explained "There are many pieces of legislation that are already addressing the issue of environment. We have Forest Act which is in existence and that is going to be amended shortly, we have Forest Policy that is under process now and is before cabinet and it was last week discussed by the Cabinet Committee responsible of these matters and was passed.

"Similarly the Climate Change Management Policy was discussed by the Committee of Cabinet and the Committee referred the document to Cabinet."

He then assured "Passage of Climate Change Policy by Cabinet will be in matter of weeks when cabinet meets and discuss on it. Be assured that Climate Change Policy and Agriculture Policy are to be enacted soon and we are making huge progress on this".

Good News!ECM to Distribute Relief Items Worth MK1 billion for Malawi Flood Victims

Items includes; food and Non-food items like Clothes

Arch Bishop Msusa to lead the Bishop at the launch

The Catholic Church in Malawi has raised food and non food relief items valued at K1 billion which its distribution begins this week to all flood victims from all worst affected districts particularly in the southern part of the country.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) says distribution to be launched on Tuesday 10th March, 2015 by the Bishops, led by the  Chairman, His Grace Most Reverend Thomas Luke Msusa, will take place at January Parish which is in the area of STA Ngolongoliwa in Thyolo district. 

Acting ECM Secretary on the Left and other Bishops

Bishops are also expected to visit people living in shelter camps around the area, says Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo ECM Acting Secretary in a statement 

Submerged houses; T/A Malemia Nsanje district 

"Bishops have planned to visit flood affected victims to show solidarity and give a message of hope. Guided by Psalm 34:18" which reads “The Lord is close to those broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

During one of the recent Holy Mass
 Celebration where ECM encouraged
 Faithful to make contributions

"During the visit, the Bishops are expected to present some of the relief items which were collected from all parishes and institutions in the country and the Caritas family to cater for flood affected dioceses." Reads the statement 

Collapsed schoolblock in Thyolo Thava

The statement has indicated that, the items valued at MK1 billion, the church has managed to raise through its partners and the Church Structures. Addiding that these items  are just for short term sustenance of human life.

Flood affected victims

The statement further indicates that these items which includes money, clothes, food and non food items will go to flood affected communities in Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Phalombe and Ntcheu among other areas.

Submerged houses in Nsanje 

Submerged school in Nsanje district

Drowning home in Nsanje District 

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

Malawi Catholic Bishops Elects Msusa ECM Chairman, Chimombo Acting Secretary, Fr. Buleya CUNIMA Vice Chancellor

Malawi Catholic Bishops Elects Msusa ECM Chairman, Chimombo Acting Secretary, Fr. Buleya CUNIMA Vice Chancellor

Arch Bishop Thomas Luke Msusa 

The first Annual Plenary Meeting of Episcopal Conference of  Malawi  convened from 26th to 30th January 2015 has elected Arch Bishop for Blantyre Arch Diocese His Grace Thomas Luke Msusa as its Chairman.

The new chairman has been unveiled on Saturday 31st January 2015 at Don Bisco Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe during the Thanks Giving Mass celebrations for the successful conference of 18th Plenary for Association for Member Episcopal Conferences for East Africa (AMECEA) held last year in July.

During the congregation other office bearers were also announced including the Acting Secretary General for ECM Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo and Vice Chancellor for Catholic University Fr. George Buleya who is taking the post from Professor Anacklet Phiri.

Fr. George Buleya walking upper
Stairs on the right side 

Arch Bishop Msusa is taking the post from the late Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu diocese who passed away early this year during a car accident. Msusa served as Vice chairman for ECM and later Acting Chairman following Bishop Zuza's death.

In an interview ECM Acting Secretary General Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo clarified that the election of Arch Bishop Msusa follows ECM statutes and not the result of death of Bishop Joseph Zuza.

Fr. Chimombo walking to the left

"Episcopal Conference of Malawi statutes stipulates that every three years elections be held to fill in new office bearers, so 2015 was an election year." He said, "It was coincidence that these elections happened few weeks after the death of the sitting chairman late bishop Zuza."

The chairmanship for Episcopal Conference of Malawi and other posts are valid for three years but one can be elected for two consecutive time.

The other officers elected to run various institutions for ECM for the next three years are; Vice chairman and Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Education Commission His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, Bishop Chairman for Catholic Secretariat His Grace Arch Bishop Tarsizio Ziyaye, Bishop Chairman for Pastoral Commission and Chairman for the Health Commission His Lordship Bishop Peter Musikuwa,

Bishop Chairman for Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue His Lordship Bishop Emmanuel Kanyama and Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace His Lordship Bishop Montfort Sitima.