Bishop Mtumbuka Calls on Christians to Be “Brother’s Keepers”
By Moses Raymond Kamanga
Holy Tuesday within the Holy Week was another big forum for the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese of Karonga to Catechise and instill spiritual and moral responsibility on the Christians in the Catholic Diocese of Karonga.
Speaking in the Principal Church of the Diocese of Karonga, St Joseph the Worker Cathedral, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka did not mince words on the need for all Christians, regardless of their positions in the Church, to be mindful of being at the service of each other for the purpose of salvation.
“From now on wards I decree that all those who are involved in the pastoral ministry, be it catechists, pastoral workers (not including Priests) in the Diocese will be recommended to go ahead depending on their activeness in trying to save the souls of their brothers and sisters,” said the Bishop.
“If after the end of their contracts there shall be no indications of their impact on the spiritual lives of those they are meant to serve, then they will have to try another trade (may be growing tobacco),” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
During the Chrism Mass, where blessing of three types of oils i.e. Holy Chrism, Oil of Catechumens and Oil of the Sick was done, all Priests in the Diocese of Karonga renewed their commitment to selflessly serve faithful of the Diocese and pledged obedience to the Local Ordinary.
Chrism Mass is traditionally meant to be celebrated on Holy Thursday where during the last supper, Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
This is the second Year for the Chrism Mass to be celebrated at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral since Fernando Cardinal Filoni inaugurated the Principal Church of the Catholic Diocese of Karonga on 5 November in the year 2016.