Archbishop Tambala Urges Lilongwe Faithful to Become ‘Ambassadors of Hope’ and Share Church’s Mission

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala, has urged members of the religious community and all faithful to become ambassadors of hope and salvation in today’s world.

Speaking during a memorial Mass for departed priests, sisters, and consecrated persons held at Likuni Parish on Wednesday, Archbishop Tambala said the Church’s mission extends beyond the clergy, calling on every believer to take part in spreading the message of Christ.

“We are all called to serve in the vineyard of the Lord. Let us think of those who have not yet encountered Jesus so that they, too, may find eternal life,” he said.

The archbishop reminded the laity that evangelization is a collective responsibility, not one reserved for priests or religious leaders alone.

Chairperson for the Laity Council in the Archdiocese, Patrick Liphava, described the day as a moment of spiritual reflection and renewal, saying it strengthened the faithful’s commitment to live their faith actively.

The memorial Mass is an annual event that brings together Catholics to honor the memory of those who dedicated their lives to serving God and humanity.

By Monica Chinyama Lipiya

Lilongwe Archdiocese Launches Tiwale Limodzi: A Unified Front for Social Good

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has on Saturday, 05 July 2025, launched the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation, a new initiative aimed at bolstering the Church’s social development efforts and fostering sustainable community empowerment across the region.
The foundation’s inauguration took place during a special Mass presided over by Archbishop George Desmond Tambala at Maula Cathedral this morning.
Archbishop Tambala has emphasized that the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation is a “continuation of what we have been doing over the years,” serving as the “social arm of the church.”
His Grace has explained that the foundation will streamline and enhance the Church’s existing social work by “channeling, putting together, harnessing the activities in the area of fundraising, [and] in the area of implementing the projects.”
rchbishop Tambala addresses the faithful during the launch, stating Tiwale Limodzi will complement existing commissions and improve social services across the Archdiocese

Archbishop Tambala addresses the faithful during the launch, stating Tiwale Limodzi will complement existing commissions and improve social services across the archdiocese

While acknowledging the significant contributions of existing bodies like the Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM) and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Archbishop Tambala has stated that the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation will “complement and also improve the services of these commissions.”
His Grace has assured the faithful that the foundation’s “very clear goals” would be “evaluated constantly from the side of the archdiocese” to ensure it remains focused on its mission.
“The public, that is the church itself also, will have a say in how they are performing,” he added, expressing his confidence that the foundation will “remain faithful to the mission.”
Archbishop George Desmond Tambala presides over the inaugural Mass at Maula Cathedral, officially launching the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation—the new, organized arm of the Archdiocese dedicated to social good.

Archbishop George Desmond Tambala presides over the inaugural Mass at Maula Cathedral, officially launching the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation

 

Chairperson of the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Lisubiro Chakaniza, elaborated on the foundation’s ambitious scope saying that it is coming in as a social arm of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe to complement the work that the archdiocese is already doing in promoting the common social good.
Chakaniza highlighted a broad range of initiatives, including uplifting the lives of the poor, curbing environmental degradation, and combating climate change in alignment with Malawi’s national goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Chairperson Lisubiro Chakaniza at the launch, urging continued support to ensure the Foundation can fulfill its mission and become sustainable over time.

Chairperson Lisubiro Chakaniza at the launch, urging continued support to ensure the Foundation can fulfill its mission and become sustainable over time

A key focus, she stressed, is to empower communities and promote self-sustainability, shifting away from over-reliance on donor funding.
“We want to come in with a concept that empowers the people,” Chakaniza said, emphasizing a “shared value approach rather than just the tendency to give out handouts to the poor.”
This will involve promoting social enterprises to help communities generate their own funds and become self-sufficient.
Specific areas of intervention outlined by Chakaniza include:
Education: Promoting quality education, providing scholarships, and improving educational infrastructure.
Health: Continuing and enhancing the work of archdiocese’s Health, focusing on robust health infrastructure.
Rural Livelihoods: Ensuring access to clean water, teaching climate change adaptation technologies for sustainable agriculture, and implementing reforestation and other environmental protection activities.
The Laity Vice Chairperson, Clement Sitambuli, underscored the crucial role of the Christian faithful in the success of the new foundation.
“As the laity and the Christians within the Catholic faith and church, our duty is to ensure that we sensitize one another, we make all the people understand, we make all the people appreciate the need of having a foundation,” Sitambuli stated.
He acknowledged that the concept might be new to some and emphasized the need to “bridge that gap” and explain the foundation’s purpose.

 

Laity Vice Chairperson Clement Sitambuli stresses the duty of all Christians to sensitize one another and ensure everyone appreciates the need and purpose of the new Tiwale Limodzi Foundation.

Laity Vice Chairperson Clement Sitambuli stresses the duty of all Christians to sensitize one another and ensure everyone appreciates the need and purpose of the new Tiwale Limodzi Foundation

 

Sitambuli reiterated that a core essence of the foundation is to “mobilize resources, invest in them, and then use the proceeds in assisting others,” with a strong emphasis on “sustainability, ensuring that the foundation is able to be sustainable over a period of time.”
The launch of the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation marks a significant step for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, signaling a renewed commitment to comprehensive social development and community empowerment through a structured and sustainable approach.
📸: Eric Norman Mkwaira

Archdiocese of Lilongwe Set To Launch Tiwale Limodzi Foundation: A New Chapter in Serving the Local Community

The Archdiocese of Lilongwe will officially launch the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation on Saturday, July 5, 2025, as a bold initiative to address social and developmental challenges facing communities within the archdiocese—and, in the long term, across the entire country.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe, Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa said the foundation is a response to the voices and needs of the faithful across the archdiocese.

“Through the Tiwale Limodzi Foundation, the archdiocese is demonstrating its commitment to listening to the people—not only through the synodal process, but through constant interaction with communities,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa. “We have heard about poverty, poor school facilities, limited access to healthcare, and other urgent needs. Tiwale Limodzi is our structured, faith-based response to these concerns.”

Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa- Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe

The foundation aims to mobilize resources to support key interventions in education, health, livelihoods, and climate action—specifically targeting vulnerable communities within the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

“This is not just about giving,” he added. “It’s about building strong, self-reliant communities through collaboration, participation, and Christian values.”

Chairperson of the Foundation’s Board, Lusubilo Chakaniza, emphasized that the foundation will complement existing charitable efforts in the archdiocese and ensure that those previously left behind are now included.

 

“This is our foundation—created by the archdiocese, for the people of the archdiocese of Lilongwe and beyond,” she said. “We call upon all clergy, the laity, and well-wishers to support, own, and actively engage with the foundation.”

The launch will begin with Holy Mass presided over by His Grace, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala from 9:00hrs at Maula Cathedral, followed by a fundraising dinner at Capital Hotel from 18:00hrs (C.A.T).

The fundraising dinner will help operationalize the foundation and build a sustainable platform for delivering real change to local communities.

With the launch of Tiwale Limodzi, the archdiocese of Lilongwe is offering a credible, Catholic-led vehicle through which people of goodwill can support impactful, transparent, and community-driven development.

Reported by Brenard Mwanza

Archbishop Tambala Leads Corpus Christi Call for Eucharistic Reverence in Lilongwe


The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala has today passionately urged Catholic faithful at St. John Paul II Chitedze Parish to deeply revere and worship Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The Archbishop delivered this heartfelt message during a Corpus Christi Mass he presided over at the parish, marking the conclusion of solemn celebrations across the Archdiocese.

During the liturgy, Archbishop Tambala underscored the importance of frequently receiving Holy Communion, emphasizing that this act symbolizes the profound love and intimacy shared with God.

His Grace further highlighted that the traditional procession with the Body of Christ on this solemn feast signifies “taking Jesus Christ to the masses.”

“This is a special occasion,” he remarked, “as it signifies the presence of Christ in our homes and across the world.”

Chairperson of the Liturgy at St. John Paul II Chitedze Parish, Anthony Protazio Katundu, reiterated the Catholic belief that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ.

He called on all Christians to actively participate and celebrate together on this significant day and committed to encouraging the faithful to protect and respect the Blood of Christ, acknowledging its profound importance.

Christians participating in a Eucharistic Mass of Corpus Christi at Chitedze Parish

Christians participating in a Eucharistic Mass of Corpus Christi at Chitedze Parish

In addition to the event at St. John Paul II Chitedze, Our Lady of Victory (Madisi) Parish also held a meaningful celebration, presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe, Right Reverend Vincent Mwakhwawa.

There, faithful honored the mystery of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, participating in a procession and adoration to demonstrate their faith in the Eucharist and seek blessings for homes, peace for Malawi, and for the entire world.

Another significant celebration took place at Maula Parish, led by Father Louis Chikanya, who serves as both the Parish Priest and communications coordinator of the archdiocese.

Bishop Mwakhwawa Urges Devotion and Eucharistic Reverence at Madisi Parish Corpus Christi

Christians at Our Lady of Victory Madisi Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been encouraged to be devoted to their Christian faith and to cherish the celebration of the Holy Mass.

The appeal has been made by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, following the Eucharistic Mass celebration of Corpus Christi.

Bishop Mwakhwawa during Mass ce;ebrations at Madisi Parish

Bishop Mwakhwawa celebrating the Eucharistic Mass of Corpus Christi at Madisi Parish

Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized that this year Corpus Christi, Christians at Madisi Parish should recognize the importance of Sacrament of Eucharist and develop a deep desire to receive and adore Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist.

“I have encouraged Christians here at Madisi Parish, as well as those across the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, about the importance of the Holy Mass and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. When we receive him, he blesses us and sends us out to be a blessing to others,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

His Lordship Mwakhwawa and Madisi Parishiners, prayerfully adoring the presence of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist

His Lordship Mwakhwawa and Madisi Parishioners, prayerfully adoring the presence of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist

His Lordship has also called on the faithful at Madisi Parish to be generous in supporting the church and serve as a good example to other parishes.

“Madisi Parish was established years back, so it needs to engage in practices that other parishes can learn from, particularly in how to run church affairs,” Bishop Mwakhwawa added.

In his remarks Parish Chairperson Mr. Gabriel M’bobo stated that they are striving to encourage parishioners to generously contribute to the growth of the parish and to make attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist a consistent part of their spiritual lives.

During the celebration, Christians participated in a Eucharistic procession, praying and adoring the presence of the body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, a procession which took about 1 hours and 20 minutes.

Christians participated in a Eucharistic procession at Madisi Parish

Christians participated in a Eucharistic procession at Madisi Parish

Monsignor Thawale Urges Graduating Students to Embrace Purpose and Faith


Monsignor Patrick Thawale of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has today, 21st June 2025, celebrated a Eucharistic Mass, marking the opening ceremony for the graduation of Form Four students at Chaminade Marianist Secondary School at Mpingu in Lilongwe where he emphasized the importance of purpose, faith, and making intentional choices as they embark on their next chapter.

In a heartfelt address, Monsignor Thawale began by congratulating the graduating class, reminding them of God’s unwavering love and presence in the lives of those who embrace devotion.

He stressed the critical role of making deliberate choices, asserting, “When you make a choice for something, you take it all with you. You cannot choose everything. If you fall for anything, you fall for nothing.”

He has since challenged the students to step outside their comfort zones, urging them to strive not just for self-improvement, but to become “the best that the world needs today.”

Monsignor Thawale highlighted the significance of action and perseverance, stating, “It is the people who are busy doing stuff who stumble on some chance for success in life.”

Monsignor Thawale addressing the students and the gathering at Chaminade MSS during Graduation Celebration

Monsignor Thawale addressing the students and the gathering at Chaminade MSS during Graduation Celebration

He encouraged them to understand the unity between God and their neighbor, assuring them that by giving themselves a reason to act, they would “certainly succeed in life.”

Emphasizing a proactive approach to life, he advised against hesitation, drawing a parallel to the common phrase: “Just do it.”

He encouraged the students to “make life beautiful” and to live fully, ensuring they make the best of their opportunities and contribute to the happiness and success of others.

Monsignor Thawale also touched upon the importance of faith and hope, declaring, “Life without hope, life without faith, is the same as being dead.”

He urged the young graduates to learn from life’s challenges, listen to the signs their hearts provide, and to always practice moderation in all aspects of their lives.

He concluded by reminding the students of their vital role in shaping the future: “You are the future of your programs. You are the future of your campus. You are the future of your parents. You are even the future of your school.”

With a message of empowerment and responsibility, he affirmed that “the future of your life, the future of your career, the future of the whole world is in your hands.”