Laity representatives with candles

Sam Kalimba

30^th July, 2022: The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe launched laity day on Saturday 30^th July 2022 at the Maula Cathedral open ground. The local ordinary of the Archdiocese, His Grace Most Reverend George Desmond Tambala officially commissioned the day during a Mass Celebration.

The archbishop took time to urge all Catholic faithful to use social media prudently and only to the glory of God and His Church.

“We have noted the Mushrooming of so many WhatsApp and Facebook pages and groups bearing the name Catholic. Much as we appreciate the desire to share Good News and other beneficial teachings of the Church, we have noted that some have turned these initiatives into gossip zones whose main agenda is to destroy each other’s character and reputation,” observed the archbishop.

The local ordinary for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe further challenged Catholics to seek proper guidance from relevant authorities in establishing social media forums that will bear the name Catholic.

“We have noted that others are soliciting funds in the name of these Social Media Church Groups yet lack accountability and transparency. Let anybody soliciting funds in these groups be accountable and seek permission, especially here in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, otherwise stop tarnishing the Ecclesiastical name,” Archbishop Tambala said.

He further said that the same forums and pages are becoming a source of bitterness among members and participants. He then advised those filling afflicted by these groups to quit the groups instead of taking matters out as if they were official.

He however, said that there are gains through such groups through defense that the Church is getting from some Catholic faithful against unjustified aggression.

On his part Archdiocesan Laity Chairperson Mr. Gabriel Kamlomo, called on the faithful in the archdiocese to embrace the day as a remembrance for the Church’s commitment to laity issues. He challenged the laity to be more active in developing the diocese to match the demands of modern time. He then thanked the Church in Malawi for establishing the laity day which will enable the faithful to deeply reflect on their role and contributions towards a self-propagating, self-evangelising and self-sustaining Church.

Laity representatives from Catholic Men Organisation, Catholic Women Organisation, marriage movement, youth and holy childhood received lighting candles and salt from His Grace the Archbishop to mark launch.

Sam Kalimba, 2 August, 2022

LLILONGWE, 30 JULY, 2022: Archbishop of Lilongwe His Grace George Desmond Tambala has called on all the collaborators in his local ordinary to embrace the Holy Spirit as they journey together in a 16-month Synod that was launched on Saturday 30 July, 2022 at the Archdiocese’s events grounds. The Synod is themed, ‘discerning with the Holy Spirit’. 

The Archbishop consistently emphasized throughout his homily that the Synod is like what happened on the Pentecost.

“We read that there was a big disturbing sound on that day when the apostles were closed in the house while other disciples were outside. Acts 2:1 says that suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. This is the kind of shaking the Synod will form in the Archdiocese. Be ready, for the Holy Spirit will get us out our enclosed institutions and help us reach out to many,” preached Tambala.

He said that the power of the Holy Spirit causes people to leave old ways and embrace the most desired ways of the Lord. He said that the clergy, religious, and the laity must accept the Synod, which is guided by the power of the Holy Spirit to open doors of their closed houses.

He asked his sheep to search for better languages for specific vulnerable groups of people in the Archdiocese including widows, orphans, refugees, asylum seekers, and all other foreigners just as the apostles spoke languages for different peoples who heard them speak in their respective mother tongues.

“Let’s see the end to racism, the end to tribalism, the end to regionalism and the end to classification of people among ourselves. I ask myself whether among all the Chinese that are here, there are no Catholics. And then I say why are they not showing up? This synod must open the doors of our Church for all to enter,” he preached.

He further advised the Church to find means and ways of staying together with people of other faiths. He said that the Synod must encourage ecumenism as the Church leaves among all kind of religions.

He also asked the church to move out of offices, church buildings and residences and reach out to the faithful as opposed to old tradition of waiting for them to come to the church all the time.

Chairperson of the Synod Path Commission Rev. Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa speaking on the same event called for support from all corners of the Archdiocese and beyond. He said that the journey requires everyone to be alert and responsive to demands that may rise at every level. He said that the next activity after the launch is to train trainers from the 43 parishes for effectiveness of the synod.

According to Fr. Mwakhwawa the synod will center on pastoral, liturgy, finance and administration, and social development main themes that will be handled in three phases soon after the trainings. He has since called on all Small Christian Communities to be meeting every week so that the conversation should be moving at the same level across the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Tambala was installed the local ordinary of Lilongwe on 27^th November, 2021 by His Excellence Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone, the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi.

Catholic Women Organisation participated at the Min Synod launch

Representatives of groups received candles and salt at the launch

Synod Commission Chairperson, Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa making his remarks at the launch of the Min Synod

Synod Commissioners

Fr. Louis Chikanya, 30 July, 2022

Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 30th July, 2022 launched an Archdiocesan Min Synod which will run for one year. The Synod is themed, discerning with the Holy Spirit. The Archbishop calls all stakeholders to walk together, to work together and to discern together with the Holy Spirit.

The Archbishop has called for the Min Synod to make a consultation with all the groups in the Archdiocese to look at the Pastoral, Liturgical, Finance and Investment and Social Development issues.

SYNOD COMMISSIONERS AND COMMITTEES

1. 1. 1. Synod Chairperson:                                Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa
      2. Pastoral Coordinator:                            Fr. James Mkwezalamba
      3. Financial Administrator:                      Mr. Alfred Ngalande
      4. Diocesan Council of Priests:                Fr. Innocent Mtapaonga
      5. Association of Women Rel. in Mw:   Sr. Veronica Ng’omba
      6. Association of Men Rel. in Mw:          Br. Francis Jumbe
      7. Chairperson of Laity Council:             Mr. Gabriel Kamlomo
      8. Chairperson of C.W.O.:                          Mrs. Christine Lupiya
      9. Chairperson of C.M.O.:                                  Mr. Ignatius Chadwala
      10. Catholic Professionals:                                   Dr. Henry Chingaipe

Liturgical dancing girls at the Synod Launch

Deans of Deaneries at the launch of the Min Synod

Clergy at the launching Mass for the Min Synod

Catholic Men at the launching Mass for the Min Synod

His Grace lead the liturgy at the launch

Likuni Parish Choir lead the singing at the Min Synod launch

Rev. Sisters in attendance of the Min Synod launch

His Grace commissioning a representative of the Men Religious

His Grace commissioning the representative of the laity

His Grace invoking God’s blessings on the congregation at the launch of the Min Synod

Fr. Louis Chikanya, 9 July, 2022

St. Philip Church, which formerly belonged to Utatu Woyera Parish of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, has been elevated to the status of the parish making the total number of parishes in the Archdiocese to 43.

Archdiocese of Lilongwe is divided into seven deaneries of Maula, Mtima Woyera, Mchinji, Likuni, Salima, Madisi and Dowa. The Archdiocese of Lilongwe has an area of over 24, 000 square kilometres.

His Grace, George Desmond Tambala, in his homily exhorted the faithful of the new parish to move together, to listen to the Word of God and to explain the Word of God to one another. Based on the work of St. Philip, the Apostle, he encouraged the parishioners to have zeal for evangelisation.

St. Philip the Apostle Parish becomes the second parish to be opened by Archbishop George Tambala, following the opening on 11 June, 2022 of St. Barnabas, Dwangwa Parish in Nkhotakota.

The parish has about about 1000 Christians and catechumens.

His Grace rededicating the Church – St. Philip Parish, area 44

Alter girls at the opening of the new parish of St. Philip

The new Parish Priest, Fr. Alberto Elifala enthroned as the Pastor for the new Parish

The new Parish Priest showing the books of registration of Christians

Fr. Alberto pledging obedience to the Local Ordinary as he takes up the responsibility of the new parish

HIs Grace, George Tambala enthroning the newly appointed Parish Priest

Archbishop Emeritus Remi Ste-Marie, born on 11 January, 1938 in Canada departed to the Father on 18 June, 2022.

Fr. Remi Joseph Gustave Sainte-Marie was ordained Bishop for Dedza diocese in 1998. He was appointed Bishop for Dedza in 2000. He was made coadjutor Bishop of Lilongwe on 18 February, 2006 and on 4 July, 2007 he was appointed Bishop for Lilongwe diocese until 9 February, 2011 when he was appointed Archbishop of Lilongwe when the diocese was raised to the status of the archdiocese.

Most Rev. Remi Ste-Marie retired on 13 July, 2013 as Archbishop Emeritus for Lilongwe Archdiocese. He chose to stay in Salima along the lake of Malawi.

May his soul rest in peace.

Bishops laying wreaths in memory of Archbishop Emeritus Remi Ste-Marie in Maula Cathedral

Papal Envoy to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Gianfranco Gallone making his eulogy.

Bishops on an entrance procession for the requiem Mass in Maula Cathedral

His Grace George D. Tambala on an exit procession. To his right is Fr. Augustine Kaliu, MC

Clergy on an entrance procession for the requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Emeritus Remi Ste-Marie

May his soul rest in peace

Installing the new parish priest for St. Barnabas parish, Fr. Kennedy Malemya

The new parish priest showing the letter of appointment

The new parish priest showing the key to the parish church

Radio Alinafe team at Chitowe stadium recording the event

Clergy at the procession at the opening of the new parish

His Grace handing the appointment letter to the new parish priest

His Grace, left and Fr. Augustine Kaliu at the unvailing site

His Grace, George D. Tambala

The decree with the protocol number, gdt/cal/pd/ba/2022/01 established the new parish in Matiki/Dwanga in Nkhotakota with the new Parish Priest, Fr. Kennedy Malemya, enthroned by His Grace, George Desmond Tambala.

The new parish has been partitioned from St. Paul, Nkhotakota Parish, established in 1978 by the Missionaries of Africa. With this new parish, the Archdiocese of Lilongwe has now 42 parishes, seven deaneries. The new parish is in Salima deanery.

Four other parishes: St. Philip – State of Utatu Woyera parish, St. Anthony of Kaggwa parish, St. Bernadetta – Chitula of Nambuma parish and Maria Gorretti – Manyani of Madisi parish will soon be launched.

The new parish has about four thousand christians.

His Grace unvailing the plague for the new parish at Matiki Centre

Catholic Women dancing for the new parish at the Chitowe stadium after the celebration of the launching Mass

His Grace cutting the ribbon at the opening of the new parish