Religious leaders lead Malawians in anti-homosexuality march

Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala presenting
petition to Hon. Yusuf Nthanda

 Scores of Malawians across the country, took to the street on Thursday to express their disapproval with proposals to stop criminalization of homosexuality in the country.

Led by different religious mother bodies, the national wide march dubbed “In defense of marriage, family, and human sexuality” took place in various districts including Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba, Chikwawa, Machinga, Mangochi and Rumphi.

The petition has asked the Malawi president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his cabinet as well as members of parliament to reject proposals to legalize homosexuality in the country’s constitution.

Catholic Journalists Trained In COVID-19 Reporting Skills

Group photo for the second cluster
of journalits during the training

Members of Association for Catholic Journalists (ACJ) from Lilongwe Arch Diocese and Dedza Diocese have been trained on reporting skills on the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

Malawi Churches Say No To Abortion, Same Sex Marriage: Petition Parliament

Thousands of Christians, Muslims, Rastafarians and others from various denominations have held national wide peaceful march this Thursday asking the Malawi National Assembly to throw off proposed abortion bill and same sex marriage legalisation once they happen to find their way in the House for deliberation.

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.

Pope Appoints New Bishop Of Mzuzu Diocese

Rev. Fr. John Alphonsus Ryan 

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Reverend Father John Alphonsus Ryan of the Missionary Society of St. Patrick as Bishop of Mzuzu-the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has announced.

A statement signed by Rev. Fr. Henry Saindi Secretary General of  ECM dated April 26, 2016 has indicated that His Excellency Archbishop Julio Murat, Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia relayed the news to Malawi this Tuesday after the news of the appointment was published in the Vatican on same day at Noon time in the Vatican City.

"The Reverend Mons. Michael A. Muwowo, Diocesan Administrator of Mzuzu, remains in charge of the Diocese until the new Bishop will take possession of the Episcopal See of Mzuzu" reads part of the statement

The office of the bishop for Mzuzu Diocese fell vacant on January 15, 2015 following the sudden passing of His Lordship Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza who was involved in an accident.

His tragic death was great loss to Church and faithful in Malawi as apart from being bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, late Zuza was also the Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).

ECM Secretariat Cheer Up Patients At Mlare Hospital With Items Close To Million Kwacha

Mlare Hospital 

Fr. Henry Saindi speaking to patients 

Malawi Catholic Secretariat team had on Thursday evening cheer up patients at a rural hospital in Lilongwe, Mlare Hospital and gave them assorted items valued close to a Million Kwacha.

The donation includes sanitation and hygiene products like soaps and various food items to every patient admitted at the Hospital.

Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Henry Saindi said through the donation, Catholic Church wanted to demonstrate church commitment to continue caring mission of Jesus Christ.

But he also mentioned that the ECM Secretariat chose Mlare Hospital because it is in the outskirt of Lilongwe City where organizations and many people of goodwill rarely visits patients during Christmas and New Year festive season. 

“They are so many organizations in town during this festive season who go to town hospitals for example Kamuzu Central Hospital to cheer the sick and give them their support unlike to the people who are admitted in the outskirt hospitals like Mlare.” Said Saindi

Doctor in Martenity ward briefing ECM delegation 

When presenting gifts to patients in every ward at the hospital, Fr. Saindi offered word of encouragement and hope to patients that even in their sickness God is with them always and he is there to care for them. He further told patients that through the donation the Catholic Church and as Christians, they also wanted to share and celebrate with them during this festive season.

“We wanted to cheer the sick because we are in the festive season of Christmas and New Year. While we are celebrating we should also acknowledge that there are so many people who are disadvantaged because they are meeting so many challenges in life either because they don’t have what they ought to have or they are meeting challenges like sickness. So as we are celebrating as Christians we are encouraged to celebrate while cheering those people who are not in the possibility of celebrating.” Explained Saindi

Sister Mini Thomas

Mlare Hospital administrator Sister Mini Thomas thanked the Catholic secretariat for the donation.

“We are very happy for coming forward and give support to our patients. And we are glad that they have come to cheer them and make this donation during this Christmas season because we know that these gifts gifts will help our patients because most of them are very poor. Surely our patients are very happy with this donation.” She said

Mlare Hospital is located about 30 kilometers South East of Malawi’s capital Lilongwe near Mitundu. The hospital has a capacity to admit more than 60 patients and see up to 200 patients a day.

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 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".

Access to Information Bill Ready for Parliament

Much anticipated ‘Access to Information Bill’ ready for the upcoming Meeting of Parliament.

Justin Saidi

Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, Justin Saidi revealed this during the Catholic Church’s commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe.

“Well, we have gone through all the process that are supposed to be followed and what remain is simply taking it to the upcoming Meeting of Parliament” said Saidi

Saidi who attended this year’s Communication Day as a guest of honor at Mtima Woyera Parish was responding to the call made by General Secretary for Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr. Henry Saindi who asked government to speed the process for the enactment of bill into law to help Journalists easily access to Government information.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“In any country that this has been approved as a law, it is a useful tool for those who are working as Journalists because then, they have possibility of accessing important information that can also help in the development of the country; but without sweating for this information or without having to do as if they are begging for this information.” Said Fr. Saindi

Currently in Malawi he said “those who have the information which has to be disseminated to people at times they don’t serve Journalists.”

“Access to Information Bill if it is turned into a Law, will help the Journalists to access information which they require in order to disseminate to the entire nation. So it is an important tool"

There Is No Justifiable Grounds for Abortion Maintains Catholic Church in Malawi

Catholic Bishop Arch Bishop Ziyaye and Priests 

The Catholic Church teachings on abortion are not shaken even with the recent announced proposed grounds for legal abortion,  are unacceptable in the Church.

The Church has publicly announced its stance on the issue few weeks after pronouncement of findings and recommendations by the Special Law Commission on the Review on Abortion Law.

Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Fr. Henry Saindi in his speech during commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe, said the Catholic Church stance on abortion will never change adding that Malawi Catholic Bishops will continue to uphold the church teaching on abortion.

The Special Law Commission on review on Abortion Law, findings and recommendations states that, termination of pregnancy be performed only for certain justifiable instances through an operation.

Recommendations propose that termination of pregnancy be done ‘only’ to save the life of pregnant woman, or if there is malformation of the foetus which will affect its viability or compatibility with life as well as where the pregnancy is as a result of rape, incest or defilement.

Fr. Saindi delivering speech

“Catholic Church already addressed this issue.” Said Fr. Saindi to the congregation “The position of the church has never changed and it will never change”

Fr. Saindi stated that issue of legalizing abortion has come in different way now as recommendations by the Special Commission allows termination of pregnancy for ‘only’ justifiable instances. However, he said nothing is “new” because the same issue was addressed in 2013 Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter in which they tackled issues concerning Homosexuality and legalizing Abortion.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“Abortion in these instances cannot be tolerated or permitted by the Catholic Church.” He said and emphasized that “The position of the church is that Abortion is the killing the unborn child because we know that the life of a person begins when a child is conceived.”

“The unborn child has a right to live and must always be protected by the society.” Continued Fr. Saindi

He then explained that the Catholic Church on abortion advocates and always emphasize the role counseling of women and girls found in a situation of terminating pregnancy.

“For example those who have been raped and found to be pregnant, they have to be counseled, they have to be helped to accept their situation and the gift that God has given to them.”

Proper Use of Communication Platforms Vital for Development, Family Life

Arch Bishop Ziyaye 

Proper utilization of modern and traditional communication tools and platforms couple with sharing truthful information to the public is central in accelerating development and deepening of love among people and the life of the family.

During his homily at Mtima Woyera Parish, commemorating the 49th World Communication, His Grace Tarcisius Ziyaye of Lilongwe Arch Diocese noted number of vital roles media houses, journalists and those working as communicators play in spreading of various messages to the people.

Part of the congregation 

However, the Arch Bishop Ziyaye emphasized the need for the appropriate use of information and mediums of communication stating that Communicators must share with public the truthful information.

Bishop Ziyaye who underlined the importance of true love in people’s daily lives, said communicators must have love of God in their heart to help them share information which foster development but not information which influence immoral behavior and strange cultural practices. 

Touching on this year’s Communication Day theme, ‘Communicating the Family: A Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift of Love’ Ziyaye urged every person to use all communication devices and mediums in a Christian manner and properly exploit them to defend dignity of the family.

Ziyaye said communication platforms should be used to share Godly information and helping people to live a happy family life and move closer to God.

Arch Bishop Ziyaye also praised Government of Malawi for allowing the Catholic Church including other religious denominations as well as individuals to establish their own media houses.

Guest of honor at the ceremony, Justin Saidi, Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, also noted the importance of sharing the right information.

Justin Saidi

He also commended the Catholic Church for having Communication Day saying it recognizes importance of communication and communicators in development.

He among others hailed the Catholic Church for establishing number of radio stations and printing houses which he said “helps” to disseminate information about the development of the country and Christianity

“Government alone cannot reach out to everybody, so we are happy that the Catholic Church is doing part of what government is supposed to do and us as government we are committed to work together with the church so that we should build our nation” he added

Earlier, Secretary General for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Henry Saindi, speaking on behalf of Communications Secretary, also emphasized the importance of responsibility and factual when sharing information. 

Saindi said communicators must always share useful and helpful information for the development of human beings, the church and the entire nation.

Communication Day is an opportunity where the Catholic church reflects the importance of communication in the Church as well as in development of human beings and the nation.

Catholic Education Secretaries Wants More Catholic Students in Their Schools

Bishop Martin Mtumbuka: the call not intend to
 bar Non-Catholics in their schools

The Malawi Catholic Church Education Secretaries are advocating for the change in the percentage number of primary school students government sends to Catholic Secondary Schools.

Government has a lion share in the current selection criteria for primary school students to begin secondary school in Catholic Schools. Government selects 60% of students to study in Catholic Girls Secondary schools and 55% of students to study in Catholic Secondary schools.

Diocesan Secretaries from all eight dioceses across the nation have recently raised an observation that current selection criteria which the Ministry of Education selects large proportion of students to catholic schools, minimizes number of catholic students selected to catholic schools.

One of the Diocesan Secretaries from Lilongwe Ach Diocese Katie Nkhoma says there must be 50-50 selection because it will help catholic students to study in catholic schools where they can be nurtured into catholic faith and values.

“When you look at the numbers that goes into our schools from government side you will discover that we only have one catholic student from a whole diocese, and therefore we feel that we are sending very few catholic’s to our schools and this has been our observation in the past four years.” She said

“We need to have 50-50 selection of both girls and boys so that we have equal number of catholic students and government selected students studying in our schools. That will help us to have more catholic’s into our schools because our intention is to form and cultivate the values of our learners into the catholic’s. But with this system a lot of catholic students are left out, they go to government secondary schools and day secondary schools where we don’t have mandate to cultivate the values into them” explained Nkhoma

But the Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Education Commission His Lordship Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka says the call being made should not be understood as if the church would like to stop non-catholic’s from learning in the Catholics schools.

“Yes the education Secretaries were talking about the aspiration that the number of catholic students selected to catholic schools should be increased but it should not be understood that the catholic bishops don’t want non Catholics in our schools. These schools are for public because we receive grants from government”

But he said, “The research has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that majority of adult converts to Catholicism are former students of our catholic schools. But I think it’s an our aspiration to say these schools should take more Catholics, a legitimate aspiration but it should never be understood that the catholic church does not want non catholic’s in their schools.”

Malawi Catholic Education Policy Launched… The Church Promise To Promote Quality Education

The Catholic Church has launched Malawi Catholic Education Policy, aim at consolidate achievements in education and reposition itself to modern challenges. 

The development of the guideline policy is also an attempt to set out some aspects of Catholic perspectives in education.

The policy document among others, presents fundamental principles and ideas of Catholic education which should guide the management of over 1500 primary schools and close to 150 post primary education institutions including Secondary Schools, Teacher Training Colleges, Vocational and Technical Colleges and Special Needs Education College across the country. 

His Lordship Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka, Bishop Chairman for Catholic Education Commission says the church hopes that contents in the policy will lead to greater clarity on the church vision of education and provide material for thought, reflection and dialogue among those engaged in its provision at all levels and other interested parties.

“We are trying to respond to the environment we are in, over a hundred years ago the environment in which we were working, was not as sophisticated as it is at the moment. The social economic challenges and moral challenges were not the same. Therefore, we are working in the environment that is far most sophisticated than before.” He said

“So, we considered it more necessary to organize our self in more systematic way and in a more coherent way so that we can better respond to the challenges that are in front of us in more prioritized way so that we tackle the most important issues first and move down in a descending order.”

Rt. Rev. Mtumbuka further said apart from promotion of quality education the church is also through its social services committed to end various social-economic challenges, poverty and ethical and moral challenges the country is facing.

The Catholic church began offering education in Malawi since 1901 when the first primary school was established by Montfort Missionaries at Mzama Parish in Ntcheu district.

The policy has outlined number of issues which the Catholic Education Commission shall strive to promote as it offers education in the country. Among others the church shall strive to promote: Catholic Education Institutions be open to all people regardless of their distinction of religion, ethnicity tribe among others; equity in the enrollment for basic education; quality education; discipline including teacher motivation.

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