Who Was He?
 |
Late Bishop Zuza: his
death is a great shock |
Thursday
15 January 2015 am on holiday, its John Chilembwe day. I cannot remember the
exact time by now, but I’m convinced must be around 16:00hrs when my former colleague
at Radio Maria Malawi met me somewhere at Area 18 in the Capital Lilongwe. In
simple and straightforward but hard to believe “Akuti ambuye Zuza amwalira
pangozi” (Bishop Zuza has died in an accident)
I
got my phone and call Acting Secretary for Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr.
Emmanuel Chimombo because I knew his response will be authentic.
“Yes,
His Lordship Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza was involved in an accident and was
taken to hospital some few hours ago.” He responded “And has passed on” he said
in his second sentence and said he is sending me an email announcing the death
of the Bishop I have known for a very long time.
4:46 PM email Subject: Death
Announcement - Bishop Zuza
Dear brethren,
Find attached sad news from the ECM.
Please help us inform Christians and all people
who should know
Death
Announcement
BISHOP JOSEPH MUKASA ZUZA
The Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of
Malawi regrets to announce the tragic death of Rite Reverend Bishop Joseph
Mukasa Zuza, who was bishop of Mzuzu Diocese and Chairman for the Episcopal
Conference of Malawi (ECM).
According to report, Bishop Zuza was involved in a road
accident and has passed on while being attended in Mzuzu.
More information and details shall follow later.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE
____________________________________________
UTHENGA
WACHISONI
AMBUYE JOSEPH MUKASA ZUZA
Bungwe la Maepiskopi a Mpingo Wa Katolika - Episcopal
Conference of Malawi (ECM) – ili ndi chisoni kukudziwitsani za imfa ya
Olemekezeka Ambuye Joseph Mukasa ZUZA amene anali episkopi wa Dayosizi ya Mzuzu
komanso Wapampando wa Bungwe la Maepiskopi aKatolika m’Malawi (ECM).
Malinga ndi uthenga umene talandira, Ambuye Zuza anachita
ngozi ya galimoto ndipo amwalira pamene anali kulandira hithandizo kuchipatala
ku Mzuzu.
Fr Andrew KAUFA
COMMUNICATIONS
SECRETARY – ECM
That was the exact content of the message
This was a shocking message, at 16:24 George
Mkondiwa, Chief Secretary to the Government, responded “Fr., Received
with immense sadness.”
Later,
19:25 hrs another email from government
H.E CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON DEATH
OF BISHOP ZUZA
His
Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has learnt with deep
shock at the untimely death of the Right Reverend Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza, of
Mzuzu Diocese of the Catholic Church and current Chairman of the Episcopal
Conference of Malawi who died in a tragic car accident on Thursday, 15th
January 2015.
The
President joins all Malawians in expressing condolences and great sympathy to
the family, the Catholic Church and the greater Malawi on the loss of a
patriotic and development conscious Church Leader who was a partner of
Government. The President is greatly saddened by this loss and joins all
Malawians in mourning the passing of one the finest sons of the Nation.
The
Government will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Catholic Church and all
Malawians during this difficult moment for our country.
May His
Soul Rest in Peace
KONDWANI NANKHUMWA, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION, TOURISM &
CULTURE
GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
15TH JANUARY 2015
The
death of Bishop Zuza is a great shock to both Catholics and non Catholics. He
was a great Bishop who at an appropriate time could bravely speak against every
wrong doing by government without fear or favour. Could applaud government when
indeed the church saw it necessary to do so. He always ensured that there is
justice.
 |
Late Bishop Zuza
(pic by ECM) |
The
Late Zuza made Catholic faithful in Malawi Proud mid 2014 when Malawi hosted
AMECEA plenary! The list of Late Bishop Zuza’s achievements is endless.
According
to ECM Communication Officer Mr. Prince Henderson Rt. Rev Bishop Zuza was
driving to his base, Mzuzu, from visiting his home village, Mhlafuta in
Embangeni Mzimba “The Bishop's car registration number,MZ 6022 rear tyre burst
causing the vehicle to swerve and get out of his control. His Lordship was in
the process forced out of the car. This took place at Nthungwa, in the Chikangawa
forest Reserve.”
In
an updated death announcement Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference
of Malawi (ECM) His Lordship Joseph Mukasa Zuza, Bishop for the Catholic
Diocese of Mzuzu and Chairman for ECM. Bishop Zuza passed on at Saint John
Hospital on 15th January 2015.
According
to ECM Information Officer In 2010 Bishop Zuza's diocese was split, partly out
of a desire to ease transportation problems in the area.
Mr.
Henderson’s information pertaining to the life of Bishop Zuza indicates that when
the Diocese of Karonga was erected that year from territory of the Mzuzu
diocese, Bishop Zuza said the split was "necessary, because it is quite
taxing to travel to some places from headquarters." He described difficult
travel on poor roads in all-terrain vehicles to parishes as far as 250 miles
away.
He
said in addition to having been Bishop of Mzuzu, in Malawi's north, Bishop Zuza
was, until his death, president of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, since
2011.
He
pointed out that Bishop Zuza participated in the extraordinary Synod on Family
that concluded last October, where he spoke up for Catholic teaching on family
sought to uphold the sanctity of the Sacrament of marriage. A conservative and
promoter of culture and traditions, the African prelate had expressed concerns
over Western influence affecting African culture, particularly on the issues of
homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
He
also mention that during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Mzuzu
Diocese, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, then Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi,
lauded Bishop Zuza's pastoral initiatives for the faithful, saying that
"during these years of visiting Mzuzu, the diocese has been very well
managed and very well organized."
The
Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Malawi was erected in 1947, and was elevated
to the status of the Diocese of Mzuzu in 1961. It currently holds a Catholic
population of 400,000.
In
addition ECM has also pointed number of positions Bishop Zuza’s has held in the
Church on local and regional (AMECEA) level.
On
local level, he once served as Vice Chairman of ECM; Chairman for Justice and
Peace Commission (CCJP); Chairman for Education Commission; Chairman for the
Mixed Commission. On regional level he once served as Malawi Delegate in the AMECEA
Executive Board; Chairman of AMECEA Staffing Committee (2008 – 2011); As
Chairman for ECM Right Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza has died while serving as Chancelor
of the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA). On Saturday, 10th January, Bishop
Zuza inaugurated the Jubilee Year for Kachebere Major Seminary.
Requiem Mass
Requiem
mass for his repose shall be held on Monday, 19th January 2015, at St Peters
Cathedral in Mzuzu, starting from 10.00 AM. Burial shall be held at Katoto,
near the bishop’s house.
His
Excellency, The Most Reverend Archbishop Julio Murat, The Apostolic Nuncio for
Malawi and Zambia will preside the Requiem mass.
Right
Reverend Zuza was born on 22 October 1955 at Malembo Village, T.A. Chief Mbelwa,
Mzimba District; ordained priest on 25 July 1982; appointed Bishop of Mzuzu on
9th March 1995 by Saint. John Paul II and consecrated on 6th May 1995.
“The
Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) shall remember him as a Bishop who waskind-hearted,
cheerful and always available to everyone.” Reads the announcement signed by Fr
Emmanuel Chimombo Acting Secretary General
May
the Soul of Right Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza Rest in Eternal Peace.
