Fr. Silvestro Zanardi (bambo Silvio) anabadwa pa 28^th December 1940 ku Bergamo, m’dziko la Italy. Choncho, bambo Silvio amwalira pa 5 June, 2024 ali ndi zaka  84.

Moyo wa unsembe

Bambo Silvio anadzodzedwa unsembe pa 28^th June 1967 kwawo ku Italy. Iwo amwalira ali ndi zaka 57 mu unsembe. Mu zaka zimenezi, bambo Silvio atumikira Mulungu ngati wansembe motere:

• 1971-1977: Burundi
• 1979-1985: Zambia (Vubwi, Chadiza)
• 1986: Phalombe, Malawi
• 1987-1992: Zambia (Chadiza, Mathias Mulumba)
• 1993: Malawi (Lirangwe)
• 1999-2024: Malawi (Msamba)

Iwo anatumikira ngati bambo mfumu pa St. John (Msamba) Catholic Parish kuyambira mu chaka cha 2001 mpaka 2012 pamene anapereka udindo wa bambo mfumu kwa Fr. John Paul Somanje. Mu mbiri ya parishi yathu, Bambo Silvio ndi wakhala bambo mfumu kwa zaka zochuluka.

Atapumula pa udindo wa bambo mfumu mu chaka cha 2011, bambo Silvio anapitiriza kutumikira parishi ngati wansembe ongothandiza makamaka ma outstation. Iwo anapitiriza kugwira ntchito yawo ya unsembe yopereka masakaramenti (ubatizo, ukwati, kulapa, kudzoza), kuchita Misa lamulungu/mkati mwa sabata/pamaliro komanso chitukuko. Chitukuko chachikulu chomwe agwira ali wansembe othandiza ndi kumanga tchalitchi latsopano kwa nkhukwa.

Tidzawakumbira bwanji?

• Wansembe ogwira ntchito modzipereka, mosatopa ndi mosayang’anira kukula. Ngakhale nthawi ya covid-19, sanaleke kuchita ngakhale za maliro.
• Amakondwa pamene mkhristu wabwerera ku masakaramenti komanso kulandira sakaramenti la kulapa
• Wansembe wamsangala, osakhumudwa msanga, odziwa kukhululuka ndi osasunga mangawa.
• Wansembe olimbikitsa maphunziro-anamanga sukulu za mkaka (nursery school) ku St. Agness, kwa Chagogo ndi Msampha komwe ndi malo opempherera
• Anali okonda chitukuko-guwa la panja, mipando ya cement, mipando ya church (pamene Msamba imakondwerera zaka 50 mu chaka cha 2010), church latsopano kwa Nkhukwa
• Wansembe okonda ana-a Teleza ndi Payomo (Airport, Restaurant)
• Wansembe odzichepetsa ndi odziwa kugwira bwino ntchito ndi ansembe anzake.

Tipemphe mulungu kuti ntchito zabwino zomwe Bambo Silvio anagwira ali moyo zimuperekeze ku paradizo kwao.

There was an ululation on Saturday 20th of July 2024 at Our Lady of Hope, Chiphaso Parish in Kasungu District, as the Clergy and the laity celebrated and witnessed the ordination of Deacon Selso Magwaza and Deacon Blessings Siliya of the order of Carmelite Friars.

The cerebration started with a Mass which was presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa, since his Consecration as an Auxiliary Bishop on 20th January 2024, and with his Grace Archbishop George Desmond Tambala of the Archdiocese.

In his speech, Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa urged the new ordained priests to save the church with zeal and also to be prayerful.

Bishop Mwakhwawa also asked the new Priests to take part in bringing together and provide awareness to Christians, on the ongoing phase three of Synod of Lilongwe discussions.

“We are all aware that as Archdiocese we are on a wave three of our discussions concerning Synod of Lilongwe, and there is a need for all Christians in the Archdiocese to take part on this ongoing discussion as it will help in developing different areas of development in our Archdiocese,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

The Bishop also encouraged the new Priests to give hope to people, as they face different challenges in their everyday life.

On his part, the new ordained Father Selso Magwaza, praised God for the Calling, and he has also urged the youths to listen to God’s call.

“My message to the Youths is that they have to listen to God’s call, and they have to be active is serving the Church,” said Fr. Magwaza.

Fr. Magwaza will be serving at Formation House for the Carmelite Friars in Balaka district while Fr. Siliya will be serving at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kapiri Parish in Mchinji.

By Titus Jata Phiri

LILONGWE AND SALIMA – MALAWI

THEME: The Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe collaborating to enhance pastoral unity, Gospel proclamation and solidarity in the Sub-Region amidst shared challenges.

1) The main purpose of the Consultative Meeting was to continue enhancing pastoral unity, proclamation of the Gospel and solidarity In the Sub-Region amidst shared challenges and building on the 2020 Lusaka Conference.

2) During the Consultative Meeting several voices inspired the proceedings in support of the Sub-Region Conference:

a) The Holy Father, Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Evangelization, stressed on the need to continue ‘building bridges, strengthening faith, unity and service, among the three countries in the Sub-Region. He sees it as a timely moment and worthwhile to discuss amidst the current challenges. For the Holy Father ‘building bridges promotes an inclusive and systematic vision of the sustainable society that equally addresses social, economic and environmental issues’ He called for the continued participation, unity, peace under divine guidance with the aim of promoting common good and dignity of all the people within the Sub-Region.

b) The President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, called for the continued good relationship between the State and the Church and asked the Bishops to continue taking care of the people through such interventions as issues of integrity, ethical standards and professionalism are promoted as people become better than before. The President also thanked the Sub-Region Countries for supporting Malawi during crises.

c) The Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Gian Luca Perici encouraged the Bishops that there is need spiritual support to the people entrusted in their care and called for more unified commitment which must strive to bring the joy of the risen Lord to the people within the Sub-Region, He then called upon the Bishops to consecrate the Sub-Region to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

d) The Episcopal Conference of Malawi President, Archbishop George Tambala, called upon the Bishops in the Sub-Region who are the shepherds of the people to look after their flock and protect them from the current challenges that are affecting the Church within the Sub-Region. Such challenges include the following: secularism, breakdown of traditional family, poverty and environmental degradation.

3) There were four presentations during the Conference:

a) General Pastoral Reflection affecting the Sub Region

b) Draft statutes of the Sub-Region Conference

c) Draft Operational Structure of the Sub-Region Conference

d) Draft Financing Documents of the Sub-Region Conference

4. REFLECTION

During the Pastoral reflection the Bishops highlighted the significance of strengthening the following:

i. Formation of priests that is robust and thorough so that they become credible witnesses of Christ.

ii. Sabbatical Centres and training of Chaplains/Directors in such centres

iii. Sub-Region Catholic Churches to be self-reliant.

iv. Pastoral strategies that promote sanctity of life and traditional family values and lives of the Youth.

v. Catechesis to deepen the faith of our people.

vi. Care of environment and the earth

vii. Good governance and politics of integrity

viii. Solidarity among Church groups (children, youth, men and women) and institutions (education, media etc)

5. DECLARATION OF INTENT

The three Conferences recommitted themselves to establish the Inter-regional Conference of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Given this bold step taken, the three conferences envision the formation of an independent Region. To this end the Sub-region will adopt the principle of gradualism. There will be short term goals that will form the be drock upon which at the opportune time long term goals will be achieved. There are no defined timeframes as to when the new Region will be fully-fledged. The three Conferences commit themselves to presenting this project to their respective regional bodies namely IMBISA and AMECEA. The membership of which they will uphold until further notice

6. RESOLUTIONS

During the plenary, amongst other issues, the Bishops resolved as follows:

i. The name of the Association shall be: Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (ACBC MAZAZI).

ii. Approval of the statutes and operational guidelines of the Association

iii. To incorporate other members outside the Sub-Region as Associates when requested.

iv. The Secretariat of the Sub Region shall be based in Lusaka

v. Critical and technical issues suggested in the presentation should be implemented when the Sub-Region is fully operational.

vi. The next meeting to take place in Zimbabwe in three years’ time.

7. Finally, we pray to the Lord that He may bless the implementation of the resolutions of this consultative meeting. We entrust the Sub Region to the Immaculate He art of Blessed Virgin Mary.

Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala – ECM President

Most Rev. Ignatius Chama – ZCCB President

Rt. Rev. Paul Horan-ZCBC President

During the plenary, amongst other issues, the Bishops resolved that the name of the Association shall be the Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (ACBC MAZAZI) and to have its Secretariat in Lusaka.

Read more here.

Here is a pictorial of the closing session of Sub-Region Conference of Bishops (Day 1 at Sigelege Beach Resort, Salima).

By Eric Norman Mkwaira