The president of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Archbishop George Desmond Tambala has asked the Bishops from the Sub-Region Conference of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to make sure that a decision is sought on the identity and goals of the grouping.
Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, addressing the delegates during a conference meeting for the sub-region in Salima
Archbishop Tambala made the remarks today, 17th July 2024 in an on-going conference meeting for the sub-region in Salima.
His grace has reminded the Bishops of the past, highlighted the need for progress, and created the stage for a productive discussion on the groupings’ future direction.
His grace also cited that the goal was to keep the conversation going, but COVID and other events (cyclone Freddy) caused delays.
However, he has emphasized the need to move beyond simply talking and to define a clear goal for the group’s activities.
“I would like to stress the conversation continues, but where is this leading to? What’s the goal? What do we want to achieve? Are we just a talking shop? Are we just here for tea or coffee, to chat, share a bit? Do we foresee that maybe now it’s time to take a step and decide who we are?” his grace George Tambala concluded.
In his remarks, president of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), bishop Paul Horan suggested that one possible outcome of the meetings could be to form a new, unified region for the churches in these three countries.
Bishop Paul Horan, president of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC)
Rt. Rev. Horan believes that the conference might be helpful to work together more closely as churches as the three countries share similar cultures.
This years’ plenary meeting is the second after the association held the first meeting in Lusaka in February 2020.
