Sam Kalimba

CADECOM Area Coordinator for Dowa handing over potato cuttings.

Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM) of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe provided relief red sweet potato cuttings (seed) to farmers in around Traditional Authority Chakhaza in Dowa district mid-January, 2022.

According to the Commission’s coordinator Charles Matewere apart from their routine exercise during the period, they responded to a call made by Tama Farmers Trust to assist victims of the dry spell that befell the farmers of Gome Producers and Marketing Cooperative Society.

“We were approached by officials from Tama Farmers Trust after they learnt that we are working in the same area where their victimized members are. We looked at the impact, analyzed it and upon being convinced we asked them to choose between potato seed cuttings and cassava. They opted for potato and hence we brought them 200 bunches of the cuttings enough to plant 5 acres,” said Matewere.

Matewere also acknowledged the Australian Aid through Caritas Australia in the A+ project for their continued support to the activities of the local Church.

A CADECOM field officer Maclay Mtekateka advised the recipients to ensure targeting multiplying the seed before they venture into serious potato farming.

“We urge you to first allow those that were affected to plant the potato in their bare fields and then use the same fields as reserves for next cropping season. At that time, be able to get more cuttings for the rest of the members. In so doing, this area will become a potato zone,” Mtekateka told the recipients.

Chairperson for the cooperative, Tsogolani Kenani thanked both Cadecom and Tama Farmers Trust for coming quickly to their predicament.

“It was so devastating to see our fields most of which belong to women, being bare despite having planted legumes such as beans, soya and groundnuts. We created a video and sent it to Tama to appreciate our problems. Good enough we started linking when they asked us to choose between cassava and potato. We chose potato for it is easy to manage within other farming activities. We are thankful to Tama and Cadecom. We will make sure potato farming becomes our business a long side our usual crops,” said Kenani.

According to Kenani 2021 rain season started on 17 December, 2021 in the area of Traditional Authority Chakhaza in Dowa District.

“Most farmers here planted their crops with hope. Unfortunately, there was no follow up rains until 31st December, 2021. The dry spell was so upsetting to the effect that a total of 10 acres of soya, 5 acres of beans, and 7 acres of groundnuts were affected leaving members with no hope,” Kenani said.

Head of Operations at Tama Farmers Trust, Samuel Kasambala said that his organization was concerned with the situation that Gome Cooperative members found themselves in. He said this made Tama Farmers Trust to appeal for resources that would necessitate the replanting of any drought resistant crop. He thanked CADECOM for the gesture and further requested for continued working relationship.

Ululations, happy songs and jubilation characterised the mood at Mlale Parish as the faith community of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe received a new priest.

Deacon Thomas Msalala of Mlale Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe was ordained priest by His Grace, George Desmond Tambala on 11th December at the Archdiocesan Minor Seminary grounds within the parish.

Fr. Msalala is the only surviver in a class of seven.

“In this journey, I was not alone. We started seven of us. But as you know, this is sometimes an unpredictable process, at times you feel uncertain. But I thank God He has brought me to this far,” said Fr. Msalala.

Addressing the newly ordained, Archbishop Tambala advised him to always stand up for the truth as he will be working to bring the souls to God.

“Your first responsibility is to bring souls to Christ. Remember that life is not always rosy. Now everyone is mentioning your name and everyone knows you. It will reach a time when life will be challenging. At that time remember this special day of your ordination. This day will give you consolation and new energy,” the Archbishop said.

Fr. Thomas Msalala is appointed to serve at St. Andrea Kaggwa Parish in area 49.

Part of the congregation at the ordination ceremony.

The clergy at a procession at the ordination ceremony

The newly ordained (middle) after being ordained

The liturgical dancing girls at the function

The clergy during the Holy Mass for ordination

Archdiocesan clergy with their Local Ordinary, at Msamba Centre

As one way to familiarise himself and indeed to insert himself in the Archdiocese, His Grace George Tambala interacted with the local clergy at Msamba Pastoral Centre. He introduced himself to the clergy. The clergy also introduced themselves to him.

He talked to the clergy and they talked to him. They shared different issues concerning the clergy as well as concerning the Archdiocese including the consolidation of communion and togetherness in the development of the Archdiocese.

HIs Grace making a point

Archbishop Tambala listening to the leader of the clergy

Part of the clergy during the interactive meeting

A group photo at Msamba Pastoral Centre

23 Catechists have been certified as full catechists after completing their three years of training in different courses.

Part of the graduating ceremony

The graduands posing with Archbishop George Tambala

The training started in 2019 and was taking place at Benga parish in Nkhotakota.

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.