Bishop Mtumbuka Ordains Edward Kamanga to Diaconate
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese on Saturday 23rd December 2017 ordained Edward Kamanga to diaconate as a transitory step towards priesthood. The ceremony will go into the annals of the Diocese as it is the first time for St Joseph the Worker Cathedral to host an ordination since its inauguration in November, 2016.
In his homily, which centred on the theme of ‘Centrality of Salvation of Souls’ to the mission of the Church, Bishop Mtumbuka stressed that the number one priority of the Church is to help people to know God, to be saved, and to grow in holiness and faith. He further stressed that the Church is there to prepare people and sanctify them to stand in the presence of God.
“We cannot be a Diocese if we stop at delivering on charity work and social development. As a Diocese we are doing a lot to alleviate the suffering of the people through charity work, education and health services. But if you stop at initiating development work, then you are turning a holy ministry into mere social work. And that is not acceptable. As priests we are supposed to pray and bless Christians who are placed into our care. ” Said Bishop Mtumbuka.
The Bishop further exhorted priests to grow in the spirit of service since they are servants of God and instruments of the Church. He reminded them that they are meant to serve the Christians entrusted to their care and not to be served. The Bishop said problems arise between Christians and priests when priests have forgotten that they are servants.
“The understanding of a priest as a servant does not undermine his leadership role. He has to lead and guide Christians and not to be led. There is a tendency among some Christians to take over the responsibility of priests and take themselves superior of priests.” The Bishop further advised.
In his address to the newly ordained, Bishop Mtumbuka urged him to be modest and faithful and grow in prayer. He stressed that the first step of Holy Orders, Diaconate, is meant to help the deacon to grow in service. He urged him to pray always citing there is no important engagement for a priest than prayer.
The occasion was graced by people from all walks of life including priests, religious sisters and brothers and among them was Right Honourable Richard Msowoya, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi.
Deacon Edward Kamanga’s is expected to be ordained priest in July. He hails from Ehehleni, TA Mzukuola in Mzimba District. He is undergoing formation at St Augustine’s Peramiho Major Seminary in Tanzania.
Karonga Diocese Donates Maize and Farm Inputs to Victims of Internal Displacement in Mpata
By Wezi Mwangonde
The Catholic Diocese of Karonga has donated maize and farm inputs to residents of Mwenitete, Mwawembe and Mwankenja Mwangonde villages in Mpata in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga district.
The donation follows the return of the internally displaced, Mwankenja Mwangonde villagers, who left their land in February as a result of a protracted land dispute which turned violent. The returnees had lost their means of livelihood and could not prepare for farming this year hence the donation of farm inputs.
During the exercise, each of the 69 households from Mwankenja Mwangonde received a 50 kilogram bag of maize for food, two bags of fertilizer (Urea and NPK) and a 10 kilograms package of maize seeds including a 50 kilogram bag of maize for household consumption.
The donation was extended to 120 other equally vulnerable villagers from Mwabwembe and Mwenitete villages received a 50 kilogram bag of maize each to carry them through the lean period.
Speaking on behalf of Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese, Father Joseph Moloka Sikwese the Bishop’s and Pastoral Secretary, said this goodwill gesture follows the resolution of a long standing land disputes that led to the displacement of Mwankenja Mwangonde villagers.
“Diocese is very impressed with the three villages for reconciling on the long time feud through the initiative of the CCJP in conjunction with the District Peace Committee under Karonga District Council.” Said Father Sikwese.
He further pledged that through the Justice and Peace Desk, Karonga Diocese will continue fighting for Justice and peace in the area. He urged the people to utilize the village tribunals being championed by Justice and Peace Desk as one way of making Karonga free from wrangles.
Concurring with the Bishop’s secretary, the representative of the Principle Group Village Headman Kalambo said the area is behind in terms of development due to prolonged violent conflicts.
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.
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.
Official Opening of St Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School in Pictures
On 30th October, 2017, His Lordship Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of Karonga officially opened St Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School in Nthalire. The school has been constructed with financial support from Umckaloabo Foundation of Germany. The co-education boarding secondary school opened with about 100 Form One students. This presents the official opening in pictures. Pictures courtesy of Louisa Feiter.
DEO JUVANTE