A two-day workshop on Synod and Synodality and Integral Human Development was held from May 27–28, 2026, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe. The event, organized by the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA-PIHD), provided an opportunity to reflect and discuss how the Catholic Church is living out synodality as one family.

In his address, Bishop Yohane Nyirenda of Mzuzu Diocese, President of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) and Research and Communications under the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), emphasized the importance of unity among Christians in strengthening the mission of the Church.

“Synodality is very important. Synodality is central to the mission of the Church. Each member must take an active role according to the gifts God has given them, and in so doing, the Church can grow,” Bishop Nyirenda said.

He highlighted the example of the missionaries who established the Catholic Church in Malawi, noting that they embodied synodality in their work.

Bishop Nyirenda also stressed the importance of participating in Small Christian Communities, describing them as the starting point for collective action among Catholics.

Father Dr. Paul Igweta from Kenya, Coordinator of Integral Human Development at AMECEA-PIHD, expressed satisfaction with the workshop. He said the meeting fostered deep reflection and offered hope for the future of the Catholic Church in Malawi, both spiritually and socially.

“We now expect that those who attended this workshop will begin training others on synodality in all parishes across Malawi, so that everyone understands its importance in our Catholic Church,” Father Igweta explained.

Lewis Msiyadungu, National CCJP Coordinator in Malawi, affirmed that the discussions will be put to good use to ensure the Church continues to act in unity.

The workshop addressed key issues including Integral Human Development, Populorum Progressio, Human Dignity, and the Church’s holistic mission.

At its conclusion, participants developed an action plan to strengthen synodality in the Catholic Church in Malawi and how best they can implement the synod.

The two-day gathering brought together representatives from Catholic commissions and Catholic media houses, focusing on practical ways to implement synodality in the country.

By Titus Jata Phiri