On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe intensified its commitment to environmental stewardship by launching the second phase of its tree-planting initiative at St. Benedict the Black – Nanthomba Parish in Dowa District.
The Archdiocesan Administration representatives showcase the trees before planting at Nanthomba Parish
The event aligns with a massive national conservation drive, as Malawi aims to plant 41 million trees in 2026, with Dowa District alone targeting 2.5 million trees this season.
Leading the exercise, Sr. Dorice Anastazia Tembo, the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, emphasized that environmental care is directly linked to the church’s economic stability.
Sr. Dorice Tembo, Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, plants a tree at Nanthomba Parish, highlighting how environmental conservation supports the financial stability of rural families
She noted that because the archdiocese relies on contributions from parishioners—most of whom are rural farmers—the health of the environment dictates the financial health of the church.
“We rely on our parishes for financial support, and many are in rural areas where farming is the primary livelihood,” Sr. Dorice explained. “Good harvests require fertile land and reliable rainfall, which are only possible if we conserve our forests. By planting trees, we are ensuring that our people can meet their targets and continue to support the mission of the Archdiocese.”
The Parish Priest of Nanthomba, Fr. Francis Sebastian, thanked the Archdiocese for its leadership and highlighted the local community’s enthusiasm. Reflecting on the Pope’s encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, Fr. Sebastian expressed his personal passion for reforestation.
Parish Priest Fr. Francis Sebastian joins his congregation in the fields, fulfilling the call of Laudato Si’ to care for our common home
“It pains me to see empty spaces where there were once thick forests, cut down for cultivation,” Fr. Sebastian said. “Our Christians have worked hard to prepare this land. We are encouraging them to plant trees not just here, but around their own homes to ensure they have sustainable sources of firewood and construction materials for the future.”
Lloyd Chishambula from the Eco Schools Program at the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, who helped facilitate the event, stated that the goal is to create “parish models” that other communities can emulate. The program encourages individuals to plant durable species like Mibawa (Mahogany) and Pine.
Lloyd Chishambula discusses the importance of planting Mibawa and Pine trees for future community development
“We want people to be independent,” Chishambula said. “By planting trees now, they are creating their own resources for future construction, reversing the environmental crisis one parish at a time.”
In his remarks, Andrew Chawinga, the Assistant Forestry Officer for Dowa District, highlighted the strategic importance of the archdiocese’s involvement in the region. He noted that the Church’s leadership is vital in helping local communities grasp the urgent necessity of reforestation.
Chawinga demonstrates proper planting techniques to ensure high survival rates for the new saplings
According to Chawinga, the increase in climate-related disasters—including severe floods and cyclones—is directly linked to the scarcity of trees across the country. He maintained that these environmental challenges can be effectively managed and controlled if Malawi remains committed to aggressive tree-planting efforts.
Local residents are taking a proactive role in ensuring the survival of the new saplings. Felesitiya Chunga, a member of the Banja Loyera Small Christian Community, shared that the community has learned from past challenges where survival rates were low.
Preparation: The community began preparing the planting site as early as October 2025.
Protection: Youths will be deployed to patrol the area and protect seedlings from livestock.
Legislation: Parishioners are engaging local chiefs to establish and enforce local bylaws to punish those who destroy the new plantations.
Felesitiya Chunga stands at the planting site
“We are determined that this time, these trees will grow,” Chunga said, calling on all Small Christian Communities to put maximum effort into conserving the area.
Background: A Long-Term Vision for Environmental Restoration
The Archdiocese of Lilongwe’s environmental initiative in Dowa is a sustained effort that gained significant momentum in February 2025.
On February 1, 2025, Bishop Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe, led a planting exercise at the area (Andros Village, T/A Chiwere). Bishop Mwakhwawa established the Church’s stance: working hand-in-hand with the government to restore the environment.
Before the trees were even planted, the Archdiocese’s Education and Environment office—led by Lloyd Chishambula—conducted community training. This ensured that parishioners didn’t just plant trees but understood why they needed to care for them.
The initiative takes place on land specifically owned by the archdiocese, demonstrating a “lead by example” approach to land management.
The project has been driven from the start by local Small Christian Communities (SCCs), including Maria Goreti, Kizito Woyera, and Banja Loyera, all under St. Benedict the Black (Nanthomba) Parish.
In 2025, the Dowa District Forestry Office (then represented by Acting Officer Yohane Mtsitsi) praised the archdiocese for helping the government meet its national restoration goals.
The Archbishop of Lilongwe, Most Reverend George Desmond Tambala, OCD, has officially announced the appointment of members to the Finance and Investment Council, the Investment Office/Directorate, and the Investment Taskforce of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
In a circular addressed to priests, religious, and the lay faithful, Archbishop Tambala conveyed his Christmas and New Year greetings and thanked God for His love and mercy as the Archdiocese begins the new year. He then outlined the new appointments aimed at strengthening financial stewardship and promoting sustainable investment initiatives within the Archdiocese.
Finance and Investment Council
The following have been appointed to serve on the Finance and Investment Council:
Mr. William Mwanza – Chairperson
Mr. Hugo Mlewa – Vice Chairperson
Mrs. Innocentia Ottober
Mrs. Bridget Jumbe
Mrs. Alice Makhambira
Mr. Moses Yakobe
Mr. Godfrey Byekwaso
Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa
Mr. Mphatso Naveya
Ms. Tione Chilambe
Ms. Abigail Dzimadzi
Mr. Tambulani Chunga
Investment Office / Directorate
Appointments to the Investment Office/Directorate are as follows:
Mr. Allen Mukwenha – Investor Stakeholder and Partnerships Officer
Mr. James Tayali – Investment and Projects Officer
Investment Taskforce
The Archbishop also constituted an Investment Taskforce to provide strategic guidance and oversight. Members include:
Dr. Golden Banda – Investment Manager and Chairperson of the Taskforce
Fr. Samson Kumkumbira
Mr. James Tayali
Fr. Francis Bisai
Ambassador Joseph Mpinganjira
Mr. Stephen Mangwaya
Mrs. Maness Nkhata
Dr. Limbani Nsapata
Mr. John Chome
Mr. Harry Msosa
Mr. Mphatso Naveya
In his message, Archbishop Tambala called upon the faithful to pray for those appointed, that they may serve the Church faithfully in fulfilling its mission of evangelization while working towards financial sustainability in the Archdiocese.
The appointments take effect immediately.
Issued by the Archbishop’s Office Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe
Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala has today, 4th January 2026, led the faithful of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe in the closing ceremony of the Holy Door of the Jubilee Year (Pilgrims of Hope) at Maula Cathedral.
In his message, the Archbishop emphasized that it is now time to live out the fruits of the Jubilee in practical ways across all levels of the Church.
His Grace reminded the congregation of the three pillars of Christian life: faith, hope, and love. While the Jubilee has highlighted the importance of hope, he urged believers to also deepen their faith and to hope for love. He stressed that when Christians are firmly rooted in these three virtues, they will be better equipped to address the pressing challenges facing the nation, including hunger, conflict, and poverty.
The Archbishop’s call was for a renewed commitment to embodying faith, hope, and love in daily life as a way of transforming both the Church and society.
The ceremony was attended by MCCB Secretary General, Very Reverend Father Valeriano Mtseka, National Pastoral Coordinator Father Joseph Sikwese, Maula Cathedral Administrator Father Francis Lekaleka, Archdiocese of Lilongwe Laity Chairperson, Mr. Patrick Limphava and many Christians who gathered to witness the occasion.
Here is the pictorial focus of the closing ceremony.
The Archbishop of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala, declared the nation’s children as the ultimate “message of hope” for both the Church and the country during the 75th National Epiphany Sunday celebration at Likuni Parish.
The celebrations, held under the theme “Children be one in Christ, united in mission,” served as more than just a liturgical anniversary; it became a platform for the Archbishop to demand a renewed national commitment to the protection and nurturing of the youngest members of society.
Presiding over the Eucharistic Celebration, Archbishop Tambala connected the ancient story of the Epiphany—the visitation of the Magi—to the modern-day mission of the Church in Malawi.
“The Epiphany is a feast where we celebrate the coming of the Magi, the wise men who came from the East to visit the baby Jesus,” the Archbishop explained. “The East represented all the world, the Gentile world. So, it’s a time where the Catholic Church is inviting the whole world to look at Jesus as a savior.”
He emphasized that this invitation to the world finds its most local and urgent expression in the lives of children. “It’s a message of hope to the world, but also to our country, Malawi. The hope is actually in the form of our children,” His Grace stated.
The Archbishop’s address was a direct response to the voices of children captured during last year’s National Children’s Congress. He acknowledged that the youth are no longer silent about their needs, specifically seeking protection from abuse and a closer “accompaniment” from their parents.
Archbishop Tambala was transparent about the Church’s duty to move beyond words and into structural reform:
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: The Church has established dedicated committees at the parish, diocesan, and conference levels.
𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Safeguarding measures are being strictly implemented within Catholic schools and other centers of education.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲: These instruments are designed specifically to respond to the children’s call for protection from all forms of violence and exploitation.
“We have a duty to safeguard and protect them,” the Archbishop urged. “My message is to call for the respect and for the love of our children, wherever they may be, and to see that they are growing well and having all the needs that they have.”
The Archbishop’s vision was reflected in the leadership present at Likuni. Very Rev. Fr. Valeriano Mtseka, Secretary General of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration alongside Fr. Peter Madeya (National PMS Director) and Fr. Geofrey Chikapa (Lilongwe PMS Director).
Fr. Madeya noted that the impeccable way the children managed the day’s liturgy was proof of a “strong church in the future,” while Mr. Patrick Liphava, the Lilongwe Archdiocesan Laity Chairperson, confirmed that the Laity are already drafting work plans to bring the Archbishop’s protection policies to life at the grassroots level.
The most touching moment came from Blandina Phiri, a member of the Holy Childhood, who spoke on behalf of her peers. She asked parents and guardians to not only protect them but to “work with them and accompany them” as they grow in faith.
As the Archdiocese of Lilongwe closes the Christmas season with this Epiphany feast, Archbishop Tambala has set a clear agenda for 2026: a Church that is not only “Living” through its children but one that is actively fighting to ensure their safety and holiness.
As the Archbishop concluded, “The children are asking for the parents to work with them… and that is one of the mechanisms we want to respond to.”
