COMMUNIQUE ON THE SECOND SUB-REGION CONSULTATIVE MEETING OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF MALAWI, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE
LILONGWE AND SALIMA – MALAWI
THEME: The Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe collaborating to enhance pastoral unity, Gospel proclamation and solidarity in the Sub-Region amidst shared challenges.
1) The main purpose of the Consultative Meeting was to continue enhancing pastoral unity, proclamation of the Gospel and solidarity In the Sub-Region amidst shared challenges and building on the 2020 Lusaka Conference.
2) During the Consultative Meeting several voices inspired the proceedings in support of the Sub-Region Conference:
a) The Holy Father, Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Evangelization, stressed on the need to continue ‘building bridges, strengthening faith, unity and service, among the three countries in the Sub-Region. He sees it as a timely moment and worthwhile to discuss amidst the current challenges. For the Holy Father ‘building bridges promotes an inclusive and systematic vision of the sustainable society that equally addresses social, economic and environmental issues’ He called for the continued participation, unity, peace under divine guidance with the aim of promoting common good and dignity of all the people within the Sub-Region.
b) The President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, called for the continued good relationship between the State and the Church and asked the Bishops to continue taking care of the people through such interventions as issues of integrity, ethical standards and professionalism are promoted as people become better than before. The President also thanked the Sub-Region Countries for supporting Malawi during crises.
c) The Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Gian Luca Perici encouraged the Bishops that there is need spiritual support to the people entrusted in their care and called for more unified commitment which must strive to bring the joy of the risen Lord to the people within the Sub-Region, He then called upon the Bishops to consecrate the Sub-Region to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
d) The Episcopal Conference of Malawi President, Archbishop George Tambala, called upon the Bishops in the Sub-Region who are the shepherds of the people to look after their flock and protect them from the current challenges that are affecting the Church within the Sub-Region. Such challenges include the following: secularism, breakdown of traditional family, poverty and environmental degradation.
3) There were four presentations during the Conference:
a) General Pastoral Reflection affecting the Sub Region
b) Draft statutes of the Sub-Region Conference
c) Draft Operational Structure of the Sub-Region Conference
d) Draft Financing Documents of the Sub-Region Conference
4. REFLECTION
During the Pastoral reflection the Bishops highlighted the significance of strengthening the following:
i. Formation of priests that is robust and thorough so that they become credible witnesses of Christ.
ii. Sabbatical Centres and training of Chaplains/Directors in such centres
iii. Sub-Region Catholic Churches to be self-reliant.
iv. Pastoral strategies that promote sanctity of life and traditional family values and lives of the Youth.
v. Catechesis to deepen the faith of our people.
vi. Care of environment and the earth
vii. Good governance and politics of integrity
viii. Solidarity among Church groups (children, youth, men and women) and institutions (education, media etc)
- DECLARATION OF INTENT
The three Conferences recommitted themselves to establish the Inter-regional Conference of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Given this bold step taken, the three conferences envision the formation of an independent Region. To this end the Sub-region will adopt the principle of gradualism. There will be short term goals that will form the be drock upon which at the opportune time long term goals will be achieved. There are no defined timeframes as to when the new Region will be fully-fledged. The three Conferences commit themselves to presenting this project to their respective regional bodies namely IMBISA and AMECEA. The membership of which they will uphold until further notice
- RESOLUTIONS
During the plenary, amongst other issues, the Bishops resolved as follows:
i. The name of the Association shall be: Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (ACBC MAZAZI).
ii. Approval of the statutes and operational guidelines of the Association
iii. To incorporate other members outside the Sub-Region as Associates when requested.
iv. The Secretariat of the Sub Region shall be based in Lusaka
v. Critical and technical issues suggested in the presentation should be implemented when the Sub-Region is fully operational.
vi. The next meeting to take place in Zimbabwe in three years’ time.
7. Finally, we pray to the Lord that He may bless the implementation of the resolutions of this consultative meeting. We entrust the Sub Region to the Immaculate He art of Blessed Virgin Mary.
Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala – ECM President
Most Rev. Ignatius Chama – ZCCB President
Rt. Rev. Paul Horan-ZCBC President
