Archbishop George Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe is championing a collaborative approach to financial management, emphasizing the importance of expert consultation.

Archbishop Tambala convened a meeting with stakeholders at Maula Parish in Lilongwe on Thursday, 13th February 2025 to discuss the Archdiocese’s finance and investment plan.

“We as Archdiocese, especially looking at our own, I call it moto, ‘Mpingo Ndife Tonse’ (we are all the church). I think one of the things that has been missing was to consult these people,” Archbishop Tambala explained. “Now what we have here, businesspeople, people who are into investments, is one critical area. So, we had to do this because it’s part of the church and it’s a very critical part of the church. It’s a major stakeholder in the church and they are partners with us in the church.”

Archbishop George Tambala during the consultation meeting at Maula Cathedral Hall

The Archbishop highlighted the mutual benefits of this collaboration. “If you talk of benefits, I think the first thing we have to learn from them. So, I insisted that we are here to listen. The wisdom that these people have, the expertise, the professionalism, this I think we can tap into that for the good of the church. So that’s a benefit. The other thing is that I think for them also, it’s a two-way system. They also, as they participate in the ideas of investment for the Archdiocese, we are also inviting them to join us in some of the investment ideas and businesses that we do. So that’s a benefit. It’s a two-way system kind of a thing.”

Mr. William Mwanza, chairperson of the Lilongwe Archdiocese Finance and Investment Council, underscored the meeting’s significance in developing a robust financial strategy.

“Yes, the Archbishop George Desmond Tambala actually commissioned the Finance and Investment Council of the Archdiocese to develop an investment strategy for the Archdiocese. This is really to try and assist the Archdiocese move away from some of the traditional sources of funding that it currently utilizes,” Mwanza said.

He further explained the need for this shift.

“You know very well that we’ve depended on missionary funds for the setup of a lot of parishes around. We also depend on contributions from the lay faithful through the parishes and also the industries and institutions which limit some funds to the diocese. But in a very difficult economic environment we’ve actually noted that they’re dwindling funds both internationally and also locally that the Archdiocese is able to access and so there’s now a strong drive to actually invest in strong businesses that will generate significant profits and those profits will be ploughed back into the church to take forward its pastoral, its social and its financial sustainability mission. So this was the intention to really invite Catholic professionals but also business people to come and advise the Finance and Investment Council as it embarks on developing this strategy. So we’ve actually got a lot of good ideas, things to look out for, things to consider as we’ll be getting on this process of developing this investment strategy.”

Limbani Nsapato, an education expert from St Padre Pio Parish who attended the meeting, called for active participation from the community.

“Yes, I think from this meeting it is important that as Catholics and as Christians we need to support the Archdiocese because the project, the program that has come up to enhance the investment is very critical for our spiritual and social well-being. We need to put all this work in prayer and ensure that we are available to support the Church through our skills, the talents that we have. Let us not bury them, let us come forward and provide support to the Church. In that way I think we’ll help the Church in its evangelization mission but also we’ll help our country to develop spiritually as well as socially,” Nsapato urged.

The consultation brought together business leaders and professionals from various fields to discuss how they can contribute to the Archdiocese’s pastoral, social, and financial goals.

Highlights of the event (By Edwin Sitima)

The Catholic Church has expressed its readiness to support its faithful working in security institutions in various aspects, including spiritual life.

This announcement was made during the Holy Mass celebration of the Jubilee Year for security institutions in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, held at the police headquarters in Area 30.

Archbishop George Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe emphasized the bishops’ commitment to supporting Catholic faithful in security institutions, especially in their spiritual lives.

“This year’s Jubilee brings hope, and I urge them to show this hope through their ministry. The bishops are also keen to support these faithful in their spiritual and physical needs,” His Grace Tambala stated.

Archbishop Tambala called on security institutions to perform their duties with respect for the law, ensuring protection and maintaining peace as the country prepares for the elections on September 16 this year.

“Around this time of the elections, many people may want to take the law into their own hands, but we are expecting these security institutions to help us remain united as a country. This is the message that you will be hearing from us, the bishops, from time to time. We are facing a divided country, and there are fears that come September, these divisions may not unite us as a country,” he added.

Deputy Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, Happy Mkandawire, expressed gratitude to Archbishop Tambala for his encouraging words regarding their work.

“I appreciate the words of encouragement from Archbishop Tambala today, urging us as security institutions to remain united. Through this Jubilee Year, let it be the beginning of our continuous connection, allowing us to visit and pray together,” Mkandawire said.

In his remarks, Captain Samson Mkandawire from Kamuzu Barracks, who was the vice-chairperson of the organizing committee, urged security personnel to bring hope to their colleagues and perform their duties with dedication and justice, as it is a calling from God to serve the nation.

The security institutions’ Jubilee is the second Jubilee celebration in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Religious missionaries in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been urged to interact and build strong relationships with the faithful by visiting them and encouraging them in their everyday lives.

Archbishop George Desmond Tambala of the Archdiocese said that as the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year priests, sisters, and brothers should play a significant role in bringing hope to people who are facing challenges in their lives.

His Grace made these remarks on Saturday 8th February 2025, at St. Patrick’s Parish in Lilongwe, during a mass, celebrating the World Day for Consecrated Life.

Archbishop Tambala urged that, as missionaries, they should dedicate themselves and enjoy being close to people in their communities, understanding the challenges they are facing.

“His Holiness Pope Francis has already indicated how this theme of hope can actually be put into practice. We must bring hope to situations like wars, poverty, hunger, and people who are sick. In all these areas, we need to practically show that we are missionaries of hope.”

In his remarks, director of Pontifical Mission Societies in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Father Geoffrey Chikapa, said that as PMS office they will encourage and promote unity with different congregations that are serving in the Archdiocese, so that they work together in spreading the word of God to the Christians.

“As people of God serving in the vineyard of the Lord, we have to be united despite that we are coming from different congregations, as blessed Paul Manna emphasized that as missionaries in the church, we have to be one”.

During this day of World Consecrated Life, Monsignor Henry Chimkanda also had a talk with Priests, Sisters, brothers, and the laity highlighting and giving them much insight on this year’s Jubilee, and what role the missionaries can take to give hope to the Christians.

This year’s World Day for Consecrated Life was celebrated under the theme, “Missionaries of Hope Among the People.”

By Titus Jata Phiri

The Education Coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Mrs. Chrisy Mithi has pleaded with Primary School Education Advisors (PEAs) in Lilongwe Rural East to help other schools which are outside the Eco-Star schools project, to emulate what is happening in Eco-Star schools.

Mrs. Mithi made the plea today, October 03, 2024, at Ndevu Primary School in Kalolo zone, where the project team from the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe held a Community of Practice engagement with various headteachers and PEAs from Eco-Star Project targeted schools under Kalolo, Kabudula, Kabuthu and Kalonga zones from Lilongwe Rural West.

Mrs. Chrisy Mithi, Education Coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe

She mentioned that they’re in the process of lobbying for the activities in the Eco-Star project to be part of the school curriculum in the country so as to help learners have an opportunity to have practical lessons as well as conserving the environment.

“We believe that incorporating Eco-Star activities into the curriculum will not only benefit the environment but also provide valuable educational experiences for students,” cited Mrs. Mithi. “But maybe before we can reach out to the Ministry of Education that they incorporate the activities, let us start with the zones, then maybe at district level or education district like Lilongwe west, so that’s why we are asking all PEAs to emulate what Eco-Star is doing in the schools.”

Kalolo Zone Primary Schools Education Advisor, Esther Chiwanga indicated that she will invite headteachers from different schools to visit and learn what other schools are doing with the help of the Eco-Star project.

“So as an advisor, I would like to invite all the head-teachers from other schools to come here at Ndevu (Primary) School and see what the Eco-Star is doing here so that they can be encouraged and after going back to their various schools, they can do the same,” she said.

Esther Chiwanga, Kalolo Zone Primary Schools Education Advisor

The Head Teacher for Ndevu Primary School, Moses Kalungu praised the Eco-Star project for the burning fruits being witnessed at the school.

“There is a great improvement in terms of teaching and learning because before the project learners of course were learning but we had very few practical lessons but with the coming of this project most of the lessons that need practical work, are done easier,” he said.

Moses Kalungu, Head Teacher for Ndevu Primary School

The project “Eco-Star schools” comprises of interventions such as lawns, vegetable gardens, orchards and woodlots and pig farming among others.

By Lester Mhone

Fr. Cornelius Kanyambo, the main celebrant, presides over the opening Mass of the Mission Month at Kachebere Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 01 October 2024.

Eric Norman Mkwaira captured the opening Mass of the Mission Month at Kachebere Parish.

You can easily access all the photos of the event and download them by clicking here.

Mwambo wa nsembe ya Misa yokondwelera kuti bambo Peter Kapiri Mwale akwanitsa zaka 25 akutumikira ngati wa nsembe (1999 – 2024).

Mwambo wa nsembe ya Misayi unatsogoleredwa ndi ambuye George Desmond Tambala a Arkidayosizi ya Katolika ya Lilongwe pa 21 September 2024 ku Parishi ya St. Francis of Assisi, Kanengo.

Mwazina, bambo Kapiri anabwerezaso malonjezo awo a unsembe ndi kulonjeza kupitilira kutumikira mulungu mwa totomoyo.

Izi ndi zina mwa zithunzi zomwe Eric Norman Mkwaira wa Radio Alinafe anajambula pa mwambowu.

Vie all pictures here.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, his grace George Desmond Tambala has blessed a new office building that will be used by the auxiliary bishops, his lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa.

The blessing ceremony took place on September 6, 2024, at the heart of the archdiocese, Maula.

In his address, Archbishop Tambala expressed gratitude to the Catholic faithful who had contributed to the renovation and modernization of the office.

He expressed confidence that the new office would facilitate easier access to services for the archdiocese’s Catholics, particularly through the work of Bishop Mwakhwawa as the auxiliary bishop and Vicar General.

One of executive members in the laity council, Mr. Gibson Mkanda has thanked all those who had contributed to the project, highlighting the importance of unity among the faithful.

Mr. Mkanda has also emphasized that the archbishop’s words had been a source of encouragement, particularly in recognizing the valuable role of the laity in the Church.

It’s worth noting that bishop Mwakhwawa was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Lilongwe by Pope Francis on November 15, 2023. On Saturday, 20th January 2024, he was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop of Lilongwe.

Summary

The Archbishop of Lilongwe blessed a newly renovated office building for the auxiliary bishops. The Archbishop expressed gratitude to the Catholic community for their contributions and highlighted the importance of the new office in providing better services to the faithful.

Download and view more pictures here

By Eric Norman Mkwaira