Procession after the installation rite

His Grace George Tambala self sprinkling with holy water as he enters the Cathedral to be installed

The singing choir and part of the congregation at the installation rite in the Cathedral

Catholic Women during the Holy Mass at Civo Stadium

Bishops at the procession

Priests at the procession at Civo Stadium

Papal envoy to Malawi and Zambia, Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone reading the Papal Bull in Latin

Papal envoy with the Archbishop’s Secretary at a procession at Civo Stadium

The new Archbishop kneeling before the Tabernacle in the Cathedral

Archbishop Tambala taking possession of the Cathedra

Archbishop Tambala with other bishops in the Cathedral

The new Archbishop before taking possession of the Cathedra

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 27 November, 2021 received His Grace, Most Reverend George Desmond Tambala as the tenth Premier of the Archdiocese. His Grace George Tambala sat on the Cathedra after the See fell vacant following the demise of His Grace Tarcisius Ziyaye on 13 December, 2020 in Namibia.

HIS BIOGRAPHY

His Grace George Tambala was born on the 18th of November, 1968. He was born to Amos Tambala of Tambala Village, Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba and Julita Yakobe of Semani Village in Chamanga Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba. He is the only surviving child in the family of six.

 EDUCATION AND SERVICE IN THE CHURCH

George Tambala did his primary school at Mpiri, Holy Cross Seminary, Ulongwe up to 1982.

He went to Child Jesus Minor Seminary in Nankhunda in Zomba where he did his secondary education up to 1987.

He joined the Discalced Carmelites in 1987; he studied Philosophy and went on to do postulancy at Inter-Congregation Seminary, now Inter-Congregation Institute in Balaka. In 1990 he did his noviciate at Enugu, Nigeria where he also had his first profession. In 1992 he went to Kapiri Parish in Mchinji in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe for community experience.

From 1992 up to 1996, he was in Tangaza College in Nairobi studying Theology. On 15 August 1995 he had his final profession in the Carmelite Congregation in Kasungu. On 11 November, 1995 he was ordained deacon in Tangaza College and on 13 April, 1996, His Grace, Tarcisius Ziyaye ordained him priest at Chiphaso Parish in Kasungu in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

His Grace, George Tambala served as Parish Priest at Kapiri Parish from 1996 to 1998.

He went to Spain for studies and was later appointed Postulant Master at Inter-Congregational Seminary in Balaka from 2000 to 2002. From 2003 to 2009 he was elected the Regional Superior of the Carmelites in Malawi. He was Director at St. John of the Cross in Nyungwe Retreat Centre in the Archdiocese of Blantyre from 2007 to 2009. From 2009 to 2015 he was General Counsellor of the Carmelites for 18 African countries and Madagascar. In 2015 he was appointed Bishop elect of Zomba diocese. He was consecrated Bishop of Zomba on 30 January, 2016.

On 15 October, 2021 His Holiness Pope Francis appointed him to be the Archbishop of Lilongwe.

His motto is, Dives in Misericordia – God has the fullness of Mercy.

THE LIST OF BISHOPS AND ARCHBISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE/ARCHDIOCESE OF LILONGWE:

Rt. Rev. Joseph Dupont ………………………………. M. Afr. (1897-1911)

Rt. Rev. Mathurin Guilleme…………………………. M. Afr. (1911 -1935)

Rt. Rev. Oscar Julien ………………………………….. M. Afr. (1935 – 1951)

Rt. Rev. Joseph Fady ………………………………….. M. Afr. (1951 – 1972)

Rt. Rev. Patrick Kalilombe…………………………… M. Afr. (1972 -1979)

Rt. Rev. Matthias Chimole…………………………… DP        (1979 – 1994)

Rt. Rev. Tarcisius Ziyaye……………………………… DP        (1994 – 2001)

Rt. Rev. Felix Mkhori………………………………….. DP         (2001 – 2007)

Most Rev. Remi Ste Marie ……………………………M. Afr.  (2007 – 2013)

Most Rev. Tarcisius Ziyaye……………………………DP         (2013 – 2020)

Most Rev. George Tambala…………………SMM     (2021 –       )

SISTEMARY KIZITA JALASI, PC

On the 8th of November, 2021, the Monastery

of the Poor Clares in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe

lost to the Lord, Sr. Mary Kizita Jalasi. she was

born on 25 July, 1944. She entered the Monastery

in 1966. She did her first profession on 8th December

1966 and her final in 1970. She stayed in the Monastery

for 58 years. May her soul rest in peace.

The faithful at prayer at Likuni                       at the cemetery, Likuni                                               Mons Thawale

It has been the tradition of the Church to pray for the souls of the dead to receive God’s mercy and pardon. Traditionally, particularly, the month of November is separated for this purpose.

On the 9th of November, the Archdiocese of

Lilongwe, led by the Administrator, Monsignor Patrick Thawale, offered prayers for the repose of the souls of her servants, the priests, reverend sisters, brothers and other people who in a special way worked in the Archdiocese.

In his reflection during the Mass, Monsignor Thawale emphasised that our life does not end at the passing from this life.

“Our life does not end at the physical death. As people of faith, we believe after this life we shall be led to the place where there is life eternal. Therefore, praying for our brothers and sisters who have gone before us is a good thing to do.”

Recently, the Archdiocese of Lilongwe lost four priests in a row to covid-19. Fr. Martin Mthumba, Fr. Cyprian Chipala, Fr. Peter Jester Banda and Fr. Vincent Epulani.

Wreaths were laid on the tombs of the dead servants of God to demonstrate love and well wishes. This year the Mass for the dead attracted many faithful who filled up the Likuni Parish Church to capacity.

SISTER MARY KIZITA JALASI ANABADWA PA 27 JULY, 1944. IWO AMACHOKERA KU BALAKA.
SISTER MARY ANALOWA MNYUMBA YOBINDIKIRA YA POOR CLARES MCHAKA CHA 1963 NDIPO ANACHITA MALUMBIRO WOYAMBA PA 8 DECEMBER, 1966. MALUMBIRO OTSIRIZA ANACHITA MCHAKA CHA 1970.

SISTER MARY MMENE AMATISIYA PA 8 NOVEMBER, 2021 AKHALA MNYUMBA YOBINDIKIRA KWA ZAKA 58.

SISTER MARY AMAKHALA BWINO NDI AZIMAI ANZAWO.
AMAKONDA MAPEMPHERO KWAMBIRI
AMAPEKA NDI KUYIMBA NYIMBO
ANALI A MAI A CHIMWEMWE

MZIMU WAO UUSE NDI MTENDERE

Sam Kalimba:

Bishop Mtumbuka (c) with the new Seminarians.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has commended the administration of the St. Anthony (Kachebere) Major Seminary located in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe for the strides so far made after the reopening.

Speaking on the occasion of the 2021 Cassock’s day celebration on Saturday, 17 July 2021, ECM’s Bishop Chairman responsible for Seminaries and Education, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka was thankful to the Sulpician priests who are providing administration services at the Seminary.

The ceremony of conferring cassocks to the seminarians marks the beginning of the first step of their journey towards priesthood as they also commence their philosophical studies.

“Thanks to the Rector Fr. Patrick Simutowe and your fellow Sulpician priests for transforming Kachebere Major Seminary. In 2018, the seminary had to close due to shortage of members of staff and formators. When you, Sulpicians from Zambia were contacted, you gladly accepted to come and assist. Your presence means a lot to the Church in Malawi and it was good that we had such challenges that we see what Kachebere is now,” said Bishop Mtumbuka who is the Ordinary for the Catholic Diocese of Karonga.

He however, emphasized that as the Sulpician priests are not there to stay for good, the local clergy in Malawi should appreciate their good work at Kachebere as a transitional process. He therefore thanked the local clergy under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi who are working in collaboration with the team of priests of the Society of St. Sulpice to run the seminary and give formation to the seminarians.

“To you my fellow Malawian clergy who are working with our brother priests the Sulpicians, I salute you. I also extend our episcopal blessings for your kind gesture that is defined in your spirit of humility and hard work. We urge you to keep up the spirit so that together we may achieve the objectives of the Seminary,” added Bishop Mtumbuka.

The Seminary welcomed 46 young men who received their cassocks. His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka applauded the first-year seminarians for having taken a step further on their journey towards priesthood. He encouraged them to respond to the Lord positively as Samuel did (1 Samuel 3:1-11).

In his homily, Bishop Mtumbuka drew from Jesus’ Gospel teachings and life that seminarians ought to have a spirit of detachment from worldly things if they are to become good and effective priests in future. Here he referred to material things and bad behaviors.

“Jesus died on the cross naked. He accepted to die such a humiliating death in order to save humanity. He did not cling to his glory as son of God. So, learn to be like him,” preached His Lordship.

He emphasized the point that the Church needs priests whose lives can have an impact on the people they are ministering.

Rt. Rev. Mtumbuka also pointed out that when seminarians encounter problems, they need to turn to Jesus himself the owner of priestly vocation.

Of the 46 seminarians, 8 are from the Diocese of Chikwawa; 10 are from the Archdiocese of Blantyre; 6 are from the Diocese of Dedza; 3 are from Diocese of Karonga; 8 are from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe; 3 are from the Diocese of Mangochi and 8 from the Diocese of Mzuzu with none from the Diocese of Zomba.

By Sam Kalimba

Saint Paul’s Minor Seminary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe received a donation of teaching and learning materials on Saturday 10 July, 2021. T

The donation was made by St. Paul’s (Mlale) Seminary Alumni Association which is composed of ex-seminarians and Priests who went through the seminary since its inception in 1963.

Speaking as he received the donation, the Rector of the Seminary Rev. Fr. Peter Kapiri expressed gladness to the association and the seminary’s duty boundedness to ensure that the materials are well taken care of.

“It is a great honor to receive the timely donation of books at a time that the Seminary needed them. With changes in syllabi, we tend to shed-off a good number of books without an immediate plan to replace them. Learners relied on few books but with this donation we feel relieved. On behalf of the pupils and members of staff, I thank the Alumni Association for fulfilling what they had pledged,” said Fr. Kapiri.

Chairperson for the Alumni Association of Saint Paul Seminary Mr. Joseph Diele thanked members of the association for making the donation possible from their personal contributions.

“Most members of the Alumni Association are married and for them to take part of their small earnings to contribute towards this cause is a sign of sacrifice from them and their spouses. I personally thank them all for their contribution.  I also thank priests who are members of the association for contributing as alumni as this is a sign of humility and a spirit of togetherness,” said Diele.

According to Diele, the Association donated books in science and literature subjects as per recommendation by the  Rector who made during the 2021 annual general meeting where  he was present as a guest. He said that individual members and cohorts are further mobilizing more resources for the same exercise.

In 2020, the Alumni Association assisted the Seminary with Covid19 response materials.

At present, the Seminary has a maximum capacity of 250 learners with a single stream for Forms 2 to 4 and double stream for Form 1.

Sam Kalimba

A 29-year-old Church building that was expanded 15 years ago can no longer host the 17, 000 Christians that Kaggwa Woyera Catholic Parish has grown to be as per 2013 census. “This is the very basic reason a new, magnificent and towering church building needs to be constructed across the Kaunda road,” says Mr. Emmanuel Mwase the incumbent Vice Chairperson of the Parish.

According to Mwase, in order to fulfil the dream, the Parish engaged some fundraising activities from the first half of the year 2021 that has seen the project acquiring start up 20 tonnes of quarry dust, 20 tonnes of river sand and 100 bags of cement raised from pledges. He also said that from the same resources raised the land that will host the new building was cleared in readiness for the start of the construction.

On 7^th June 2021, the Parish Priest for the Catholic Parish of Kaggwa Woyera Rev. Fr. Constantine Mgunda with one of his curates, Fr. Gerald Kubetcha launched a raffle draw fundraising activity that seeks to raise over MK25, 000,000.00 in the last half of the year 2021.

“We are giving away a 30 x 15-meter residential plot at Mthunzi Heritage near Lilongwe MDF Air base as first prize while unregistered Mitsubishi half toner truck is the second prize with a defy 4 coil-cooker is the third prize. We urge not only Catholics to participate in this raffle draw but even non-Catholics should join in not only for the purpose of winning the prizes but for the sole reason to help build the house of the Lord,” said Fr. Mgunda.

Dr. Elvis Salagi, the Church Council Chairperson who is also steering the raffle draw said that all the prize items had been procured procedurally and that it is only change of ownership that awaits the winners come December 2021.

“Let me assure the

Fr. Mgunda (C) with some of the Parishioners

prospective owners of these items that they will own virgin properties. They will have to register them under their own names. All what they have to do is to buy a ticket pegged at MK2,000.00 only for them to own the properties,” said Salagi during the official launch of the competition.

Kaggwa Woyera Parish is situated to the north of Bingu National Stadium and currently has 10 outstations with over 200 Small Christian Communities. It was founded by the Friars of Capuchin Missionary in 1992 and from 2015 it was handed over to the local ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

Participants to the orientation meeting of the marriage Encounter of 27 June at Mlale Parish.

Members of Mtima Oyera and Msamba Circles of the Marriage Encounter pose for a photo after Mass at Mlale Parish where they also led in Liturgy and offertory.

Sam Kalimba

27 June, 2021 – Mlale Parish:

The Marriage Encounter (ME), a grouping for married Christians in the Catholic Church has challenged that it is easy to fight Gender Based Violence using church structures. Clement and Thokozani Bisai are Chair couple for ME Central Region Chapter and spoke at a function that took place at Mlale Parish on 27^th June 2021 where Catholic families from the Parish requested for an orientation meeting.

“We have zero cases of gender-based violence cases in our members’ families and we doubt if any of our members can think of committing suicide because there are no chances. We preach, live and eat love. Our goal is to ensure that all families live in peace and harmony with each other. Our movement seeks to help deepen love in marriages then if love is so deep, how would one member deprive the other of the same by indulging in GBV? The movement equips its members with effective communication tools to help improve relationships between spouses,” said the pair leaders.

Mr. and Mrs. Bisai said that they were hopeful that if families from Mlale Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe formed and joined the Marriage Encounter group, not only the Church would manifest her powers of preaching love but that even the communities surrounding the Parish would benefit from good examples of renewed families.

Some families from the Catholic Parish of Mlale in Mitundu area requested Marriage Encounter groups of Mtima Oyera and Msamba Parishes to lead an outreach activity aimed at helping them understand what the movement is all about and what it does.

The couples at Mlare Parish had been organising themselves as a way of preparing to join the Marriage Encounter.

According to the Bisais, couples willing to join ME are supposed to attend a 3-day retreat that is called Original Weekend to start their Marriage Encounter journey. Such retreats are held once or twice a year at a designated retreat centre.

“Our immediate retreat for the central region is scheduled for three days from 30 July to 1 August in Lilongwe,” Said Mr. Bisai.

More than 15 couples at Mlare Parish expressed interest to join Marriage Encounter making it the 15^th Parish where Marriage Encounter exists in the central region.

The Catholic Church in Malawi has 3 specialised groups of family movements namely, the Christian Family Movement (CFM), Couples for Christ and the Marriage Encounter.

By Fr Louis Chikanya

Inculturation is a terminology that became commonly used during and after the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 1994. Looking at the strength and influence of cultures in Africa, the Synod Fathers saw the urgent need for inculturation.

Inculturation, in simple terms, in the words of St. John Paul II is “The process by which catechesis takes fresh in the various cultures.” “It is the insertion of the Gospel message into cultures,” (Catechesis Tradendae). In his Post-Synodal Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa, John Paul II explains the two dimensions of inculturation: first he talks of culture being integrated into Christianity and second, the insertion of Christianity in the various human cultures.

Africa has been blessed by a multiplicity of cultures which if made open to the Gospel, can provide a fertile ground for the growth of the Gospel. Most of the cultural values manifest in external expressions such as dance, postures, worship, reparation for damages, for example, a community settling a case between people peacefully by imposing a penalty on a culprit, preservation of nature in respect of the spiritual world, such as conservation of forests on the land of the dead, as well as respecting human life. Africans love and value life beyond death. Anything that threatens life is treated as an enemy. Africans love children as gifts from God. Africans love and value togetherness and family integration.

Liturgical Dance During Holy Mass, (Photo: LC MEDIA)

Liturgy, Faith and Cultural Dances

In Africa, liturgical actions are a pure expression of the cultures. At the liturgy, shaking and movements of the body are part of worship. But should liturgy be confined to dancing, shaking and moving body parts?

The liturgical dances that we see and watch and perhaps enjoy during worship, must be enlightened by faith. A dance during the liturgy should move the hearts to prayer and deeper reflection and not to entertain the praying congregation.

“A faith that does not become culture is not fully accepted, not entirely thought out, not faithfully lived,” (St. John Paul II). Similarly, a cultural value that resist to be transformed and integrated into the Christian life cannot be trusted. Faith and culture should come together. It is the work of the Gospel to cast light on any cultural value to assess whether it is helpful for a faith community.

For inculturation to truly take the name has to infiltrate the whole of a person’s life; family, education, economics, etc. Ecclesia in Africa of St. John Paul II emphasises on witness, “genuine witness by believers, and authentic proclamation of the faith”.

A liturgical dance without deep faith and knowledge of the Gospel can only turn into a theatrical performance. Inculturation is about living the life of the Gospel, letting the faith to transform the life of an individual and to allow Christianity and culture to dialogue. Faith brings out the good in the cultural values and this helps an individual to appreciate culture as a gift from God.

Relations between Culture and The Good News of Christ

“There are many links between the message of salvation and culture. In his self-revelation to his people culminating in the fullness of manifestation in his incarnate Son, God spoke according to the culture proper to each age. Similarly, the Church has existed through the centuries in varying circumstances and has utilized the resources of different cultures in its preaching to spread and explain the message of Christ, to examine and understand it more deeply and to express it more perfectly in the liturgy and in various aspects of the life of the faithful.” (Vat. Council II, Church in the Modern World, no. 58)

There is a belief that culture is a gift from God and that God respects every culture. God used a particular culture to bring his message of salvation to all the people in the world. His message has the power to renew and purify the cultures of people. His Word, (Jesus Christ) came down to dwell with people. While with the people, he transformed their lives, physical and spiritual. In the Gospel of John, he met a woman of Samaritan origin, “How can you, a Jew ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Jesus replies to her, “If you knew the gift of God…” The Word of God is really a gift to all cultures, Jewish, Samaritan, Chewa, Yao, etc.

Cultures should be open to the work of the Gospel. The Good News of Christ, in the words of Vatican Council II Fathers, should be allowed to renew the life and culture of fallen humanity. It should be given space to purify and elevate the morality of the peoples. Let the Holy Liturgy not be confined to dancing and shaking of body parts. It should go beyond the carrying of the Holy Gospels in the basket. Inculturation should resonate in genuine reconciliation, love of life, and creation of which the Word of God came to save.

This article first appeared in the Christmas 2018 edition of Mpingo Ndife Tonse Magazine.