Luciana Mweghama Mwafulirwa Walks The Last Mile.
By Moses Raymond Kamanga
Scores of people, most of whom Catholic Christians gathered at St. Marys Parish on Wednesday, 7 March to bid farewell to Luciana Mweghama who until her death was the Diocesan Chairperson of Chitemwano (Charity); one of the most powerful lay movements in the Diocese. On Tuesday 6 March, 2018, the Diocese woke up to the sad news of the demise of Luciana who breathed her last during the late hours of Monday 5 March.
Speaking to a cross section of people that gathered to pay their last respect, mostly women adorned in the Chitemwano regalia (light blue skirts and head gear with white blouses and shoes), Hellena Mhango described Luciana as one who led the women group by example.
Mhango (one of the group’s technical committee members at Diocese level) couldn’t hold back her tears and shock describing Luciana as one example of the rare breed of Catholic Christians who lived their faith. These remarks came after the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka had already decorated Luciana’s Christian life as that which found joy in being a Catholic.
Before she was laid to rest, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Karonga Monsignor Denis Chitete led hundreds of Catholic Christians in the Holy Mass to pray for the repose of Luciana’s Soul.
In his homily, Father Lorent Dziko the Diocesan Lay Movements Chaplain envied Luciana’s death.
“She died in full communion with God. She had a chance to reconcile with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a chance which most of us may not have,” said Father Dziko.
Luciana who was born in 1968 is survived with a husband and six children. By God’s grace one of her sons (God willing) will be ordained Deacon in May this year.
Luciana successfully led the Chitemwano lay movement which has around 8000 members in the Diocese of Karonga.
Bishop Mtumbuka Describes the Death of Bishop Kanyama as a Great Loss
By Ephraim Nyirenda
Catholics and people of goodwill from all walks of life gathered at Likuni Parish on Tuesday to pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop Emmanuel Kanyama of Dedza Diocese who passed on Friday, 16 February at his home; Kapiri in Mchinji District.
Speaking during the highly concelebrated requiem Mass, the main celebrant Right Reverent Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, Bishop of Karonga Diocese and Vice Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, described the death of Bishop Kanyama as a great loss to the conference of bishops and the entire Malawi nation.
In his homily, Bishop Mtumbuka said the Late Bishop Kanyama was a gifted man, whose numerous gifts were put at the service of the Church and the nation in various areas.
“I remember Bishop Kanyama as a quiet man, but when he wanted to contribute, he could not mince words. He was always straight to the point which some of us cannot do,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
He further urged the congregation to commend themselves into the hands of God during this Lenten season. He condemned the tendency of being preoccupied with daily cares and material things without sparing time to spend with God.
The Vice Chairperson of ECM emphasized the need for Christians to maintain a good relationship with Christ through the Sacrament of Penance and Eucharist during this time of Lent.
Notable figures at the Mass were Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Dr Saulos Claus Chilima, Minister of Information Nicholas Dausi, Leader of Opposition Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Former Vice President Khumbo Kachali among others.
Bishop Emmanuel Kanyama was born in 1962, ordained priest in 1990 and consecrated Bishop of Dedza on 6th October, 2007.
After the Mass, the body of the Late Bishop Kanyama was taken to Bembeke Cathedral in Dedza where it will be laid to rest on 21st February after requiem mass to be presided over by Archbishop Ziyaye of the Metropolitan See of Lilongwe to which Dedza is a suffragan diocese.
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Bishop Mtumbuka Challenges Christians to Maintain Peace in their Societies
By Ignatius Mvula
Bishop Martin Mtumbuka has challenged Catholic Christians in Karonga Diocese to keep peace in their families and in turn their societies. The Bishop made these remarks at Lughali Zone under St Marys Parish after the Eucharistic Celebration marking the Nativity of the Lord on 25th December, 2017.
Bishop Mtumbuka reminded the congregation that the Solemnity of Incarnation is in itself a call to peace. He highlighted that Jesus humbled himself to share in our humanity to reconcile us to God and that we ourselves must learn to reconcile with one another.
“It is a real sign of bad leadership when husbands beat their wives, this must be stopped by all means.” Said Bishop Mtumbuka.
Turning to traditional leaders, the Bishop reminded them that their primary responsibility is to promote peace among their subjects and within their jurisdiction. He noted that it is sad that the people who are already under the veil of suffering because of so many challenges they face like hunger must at the same time suffer due to the effects of violent conflicts.
“As a Diocese we will do all that we can within our means to ensure that there is peace and tranquillity in this area” he added.
He called upon political leaders to help the people to maintain peace especially during the coming elections. He hinted that during last elections most of the people in Lughali area suffered because there was no peace during the elections.
Speaking at an earlier function which was also attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Bishop called on Parliament to review the Chiefs Act in order to set order in the institution which is at the root of violent conflicts and suffering in the area.
He asked parliament to make it mandatory that all traditional leaders have well laid down succession plans to prevent chieftaincy wrangles. He bemoaned the tendency to resort to courts to obtain injunctions to resolve traditional matters.
The Bishop finally wished all the faithful a Happy Christmas.
Bishop Mtumbuka Urges Christians to Assess Their Encounter with Christ
By Violet Maluwa – TFM Reporter
The Bishop of Karonga Diocese Martin Anwel Mtumbuka has urged Catholic Christians to take the season of Advent as an opportunity to assess their encounter with Christ and render a helping hand to the needy.
Speaking at St Michael’s Parish in Chitipa during the First Sunday of Advent Mass, Bishop Mtumbuka urged Christians to use this season to realign and reconcile themselves with Christ.
“During this Advent season, we prepare for an encounter with Jesus Christ at Christmas; His second coming at the end of time and His coming in the Sacraments.” Said Bishop Mtumbuka.
The preparation for the triple encounter with Jesus focuses on three pillars of charity, prayer life and reconciliation with Jesus Christ, friends and relatives.
Bishop Mtumbuka further urged Christians to seriously reflect on their own death and their relationship with Christ, which is central to salvation. He said God can call us suddenly through road accident, hence the need to be prepared always to stand in his presence.
In Solidarity with St Cecilia Parish
At the same celebration, Christians made special offerings in aid of the newly established St Cecilia Parish in Mpherembe under Mzuzu Diocese. Bishop Mtumbuka said it was everyone’s responsibility to help those in need including the newly established parish. The St Cecilia Parish has numerous challenges such as lack of Rectory (Fathers House) and kitchen ware.
He added that although the Diocese of Karonga has few Christians but their generosity towards the Church in both urban and rural areas is so encouraging.
In his words, the Parish Priest of the newly founded St Cecilia Parish, Father Isaiah Nyirenda commended the generous contributions from Christians of St Michael’s Parish towards his parish.
“I thank you all for all the gifts you have offered to our new parish. What has happened today is a miracle.” Said Father Isaiah in appreciation for the numerous gifts.
In a similar event, Christians from St. Mary’s Parish in Karonga District, selflessly gave to assist St. Cecilia Parish during a Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Curate of St. Cecilia Parish, Fr. Petros Mwale.
In his remarks, Fr. Petros Mwale expressed thanked Christians for their generosity saying that was what God expects of Christians “to be Brother’s keeper”.
Fr. Joseph Moloka Sikwese, Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish and Pastoral Secretary of the Diocese of Karonga also commended the Christians for being other-oriented.
The Diocese will transfer all the offerings on 17th December to the newly established Parish of St Cecilia, Mpherembe in Mzimba.
‘We Shall Go to Them’: Pastoral Commission Intensifies Missionary Work
By Moses Raymond Kamanga
We shall go to them is a moto that steers the Diocese of Karonga in a direction where all Christians regardless of their locality feel equally belonging to the Diocese. The Diocese walked the motto again as it has traditionally done by bracing itself with the armour of fortitude and determination to hike the Nyika Plateau to reach a community in the middle of nowhere and far from everything else.
Re-evangelization Mission
One would think this is too large a community worthy spending energy on. To the contrary it is a community of only 22 people; some Christians and others catechumen emerging from 13 families. Regardless of the small number, the Diocese of Karonga left the 99 to search for the one lost on the plateau of Nyika (Lk 15:4).
A 5 member delegation from the Curia Offices to the Chilinda community led by the Diocesan Pastoral Secretary Fr. Joseph Moloka Sikwese was geared towards assisting the community in understanding leadership and church structure, sacraments, liturgy, married life and the new version of the Creed as popularized by the Diocese just to mention a few.
The Missionary Experience
The four days of interaction with Chilinda community at the plateau was very warm though the weather was “prohibitingly” cold with sun and rain intervals. The nights always brought the delegates around the fire to survive the biting cold weather.
Speaking at the end of the four day visit (Monday, 27 November to Thursday, 30 November) the Pastoral Secretary expressed gratitude to Chilinda community for showing interest in the instructions which was evidenced by their unwavering commitment in attending all the sessions. He was committed to arranging more instructions for the community in the near future. Further, he conceded to the fact that the community was a bit behind comparing with the rest of the communities.
‘We are not forgotten: We are part of the Catholic Family’
Taking his turn, the chairperson of the community, Mr. Peter Ng’omba said he was overwhelmed with the visit and the lessons as they were an indication that the Diocese loves them like any other Catholic Community within the Diocese. He also expressed gratitude to the Bishop of the Diocese of Karonga, Rt. Rev. Martin Anwell Mtumbuka for he was the first to visit the Chilinda Catholic community earlier in the year (August) and promised them that he would send officers to visit and instruct them.
We shall still go to them
Chilinda, which is about 290km from the central administration offices of the Diocese of Karonga, is one of the furthest and hard to reach communities belonging to the Diocese of Karonga. Some places apart from Chilinda are Diya-diya where no vehicle can reach and Chakaka where the gospel is being preached now.
It is in the plain of the Diocese of Karonga try its level best to reach other places like Tcharo where the only means to reach the place is a boat. All this is in the spirit of searching for 100th sheep.
Bishop Mtumbuka Proclaims 2017-18 “Year of My Small Christian Community”
By Benjamin Msowoya
“Small Christian Community is a new way of participating in the Church’
Bishop Martin Mtumbuka has proclaimed 2017-18 liturgical year as “The Year of My Small Christian Community” for the Diocese of Karonga with a call on the faithful to seriously reflect on the significance of their Small Christian Community (SCC) as a new way of participating in their Church.
The Bishop made the proclamation at St Joseph the Worker Cathedral on 25th November 2017, when he presided over the annual Thanksgiving Mass. This is an annual event celebrated on the Solemnity of Christ the King during which the faithful bring their contributions to the Diocesan budget for the following year. For pastoral reasons the Thanksgiving Mass takes place on a Saturday before the Solemnity.
On this year’s occasion, the faithful contributed up to K7 million to the budget of the Diocese. There has been a steady increase in the donations from Christians to the Diocese from K3,195,000 in 2015, to K4,340,255.00 in 2016. This year’s contribution represents an increase of 161% from last year’s and surpasses the set target of K5 million.
In his response to the generous support of the faithful towards the running of the Diocese, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka said the generous donation from the faithful was a big and demanding call to be at their service.
“We see the outpouring generosity of the faithful as a confirmation of our efforts to be at their service,” said the Bishop.
The Thanksgiving Mass also marked the end of the themed liturgical year of “My Father’s House”. From 27th November 2016 to 25th November 2017, the faithful of the Diocese reflected on the sanctity of houses of prayer or church buildings and took deliberate steps to treat them with respect and dignity they deserve as houses of God on earth. The faithful also responded to the call to purify their hearts which are “Temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
As the Year of My Father’s House came to a close, the Bishop gave another theme to guide the Diocese of Karonga during the next liturgical year.
During the same ceremony, the Bishop officially received into the Diocese Marianist Sisters who are working at St Mary’s Karonga Girls Secondary School as missionaries.
Bishop Mtumbuka Presides Over Diamond Jubilee of Peramiho Major Seminary
By Ephraim Nyirenda, Songea
Bishop Martin Mtumbuka has urged seminarians to cultivate the spirit of prayer, saying priesthood is a life of prayer. He expressed strong belief that the missionaries, founders of their seminary, succeeded in sowing seeds of Christian faith because they were rooted in prayer.
Bishop Mtumbuka said this at St Augustine’s Peramiho Major Seminary in Tanzania when he presided over a solemn Mass which marked the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the seminary.
In his homily, he congratulated the Catholic Church in Tanzania, and the Benedictine Missionaries in particular, for sacrificing a lot to plant the faith in the area.
“I would like to commend you Catholic Bishops in this country for the good work you are doing. So many people (priests, religious brothers and sisters) have done their part for the seminary to reach this stage.” He said, “This is no mean achievement.”
In his remarks, Bishop Mtumbuka appreciated the role seminaries in Tanzania are playing in instilling the spirit of self-reliance in seminarians through the promotion of manual work.
“I am the Bishop Chairman of Seminaries in Malawi, I wish I could send all rectors, formators and seminarians to learn how you are preparing seminarians to be self-reliant,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
He finally thanked the Catholic Bishops in Tanzania for inviting him to be part of the celebration. This gesture, he said, demonstrated the universality of the Catholic Church.
On her part, The Tanzanian Minister of Policy, Parliament, Labor, Youth, Employment and Disabled Jenista Muhagama recognized the Church’s role in the formation of citizens.
“The Catholic Church and her leaders do not only preach the good news but also initiate projects for the development of people.” She said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Archbishop Damian Dallu of Songea thanked Bishop Mtumbuka for honouring the Bishops’ invitation to be the Guest of Honour at the function.
During his week-long stay, Bishop Mtumbuka and other officers from Karonga Diocese toured several income generating projects under the Catholic Church in Tanzania.
He also attended the requiem mass of Late Bishop Castor Msemwa of Tunduru-Masasi Diocese who died on the 19 October, 2017. He was laid to rest in his Cathedral on 25 October, 2017.
Catholic Pastoral Secretaries in Malawi Hail the Sunday School Project
By Ephraim Nyirenda – TFM Reporter
The National Director for Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS) in Malawi has applauded the role Karonga Diocese is playing to ensure that Catholic children grow in the way the Church wants.
Speaking to Tuntufye FM after visiting Kangindwa Catholic Church on Thursday this week to appreciate how the Sunday School Project was fairing, Father Vincent Mwakhwawa, PMS National Director, said that all Pastoral Secretaries were impressed with what the Diocese was doing in helping Catholic children to understand Catholic doctrine from a tender age.
He added that with lessons learnt from the visit, other dioceses will select parishes in their dioceses where Sunday school activities such as quiz competitions, reciting poems and bible verses recitals will be piloted.
The PMS National Director also hailed His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, the clergy and lay faithful for their collaboration and dedication in ensuring that God’s people were reached with the Gospel from the nursery.
Pastoral secretaries from six out of the eight dioceses under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, had a four day meeting at Bambo House in Karonga from 13th to 16th November, 2017. Among other things Pastoral secretaries deliberated on ways of enriching spiritual lives of Christians through the Bible, apostolates, catechesis and liturgical celebrations. They also shared reports and updates from the dioceses and explored ways of strengthening coordination among them.
Delegates to the meeting included Father Regis Kamela, National Pastoral Secretary, Father Elard Butao of Dedza Diocese, Father Steven Pio of Zomba Diocese, Father Innocent Ntapaonga of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Father Steven Kamanga of Mangochi Diocese, Father Peter Kantembe of Blantyre Archdiocese, and the host Father Joseph Sikwese.
“We are one,” Bishop Martin Mtumbuka Welcomes a Delegation from Mzuzu Diocese
By Maureen Soko
“No need for an appointment to come…”
His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese has said the bond that exists between Mzuzu and Karonga dioceses is more significant for the growth of both Dioceses.
The Bishop made these remarks when he opened a two-day learning visit to Karonga of a delegation from Mzuzu Diocese on 9th November, 2017. Leading the nine member team from Mzuzu was Father Edmond Nyoka, head of Pastoral Department. The team comprised of heads of sections and departments under Social Development, Finance and Administration and Pastoral sections.
According to Bishop Mtumbuka, the separation of the two Dioceses was not only to help smoothen the running of the diocese’s affairs. It was also meant to allow the growth of Christianity, humanity and togetherness.
“The interaction between the two Dioceses has been cordial and we always do things together. After all the two have historical connection. As you all know that, this Diocese came from Mzuzu Diocese, just to make the management of the Diocese easier.” He said.
Further, he emphasized that no one has the monopoly of the best way of doing things. “We all learn from one another. No one should claim that they have discovered all the wisdom in the world and they have put a lid on it. That only they know what is in it. No, it is wrong.”
Bishop Mtumbuka also highlighted the importance of consolidating the work of different departments under the Diocese as this portrays the true image of the Catholic Church.
In his remarks, the Head of Social Development for Mzuzu Diocese, Mr Isaac Cheke Ziba said the visit would assist them to implement their Strategic Plan. The main purpose of the visit was to learn how the consolidated system works as Mzuzu Diocese has embraced the same.
The two teams have created a solid relationship in which they have promised to learn from each other from time to time.