Catholic women in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been challenged to take the lead in the mission of the Church, as God has gifted them with compassion, responsibility and the ability to nurture life.

The call has been made by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, Vincent Mwakhwawa, during the official opening of the Archdiocesan Catholic Women Association (CWA) Annual General Meeting at St Peter’s Girls Secondary School in Dowa Deanery.

Bishop Mwakhwawa said women have a unique calling from God, just like Mother Mary, to be a mission of hope.

“A Catholic woman, by her nature, is called by God with a unique calling, just like Mother Mary, to be a mission of hope,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

The Auxiliary Bishop also called on the women to deepen their prayer life and become proclaimers of the Gospel by providing proper formation to children and young people.

“The first mission obligation of a Catholic woman is at home, in the community and in the family. So I call upon CWA to deepen their life of prayer, commit themselves to praying to Jesus Christ and ask Mother Mary to intercede for them, their families and the whole world,” he said.

In her remarks, CWA Chairlady in the Archdiocese, Louisa Kamwaza, thanked Bishop Mwakhwawa for the message and said the meeting would focus on ways of strengthening women, their homes and their spiritual lives.

“Our programme includes almost everything that is needed for women to be strong in faith and also be okay mentally. We will try our best to learn and share with our families so that we can be true leaders,” Kamwaza said.

One of the women attending the AGM, Patricia Banda from Mponera Parish, said she is looking forward to gaining experience and ideas that would help her grow spiritually and learn proper ways of raising her family.

The theme of the 2026 CWA Annual General Meeting is: “A Catholic Woman: A Mission of Hope in Her Family.”

Reported by Tiyamike Paul Chisale