BISHOP MARTIN MTUMBUKA VISITS NTHALIRE (CHITIPA), BLESSES NEW CHURCH AND INSPECTS CARITAS COMMISSION PROJECTS
By Noel Chatepa
From 25th to 27th July 2025, His Lordship Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Catholic Diocese of Karonga undertook a Pastoral and Developmental visit to Chitipa, where he inspected various Caritas projects and presided over the consecration and blessing of a newly built church.
Bishop Mtumbuka began his visit on 25th July with a stopover at St. Clara Health Center in Chisenga, where the Caritas Commission of the Diocese is constructing a new maternity wing with the aim of improving maternal healthcare services in the area. Later in the day, the Bishop proceeded to Wenya where he met with priests at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish and engaged in meaningful discussions with the parish clergy.
On Saturday 26th July, Bishop Mtumbuka presided over the consecration and blessing of the newly constructed St. Luke Outstation Church in Thumbo Zone, under St. Ignatius Parish (Nthalire Deanery). The church, located in Kopakopa Village (T/A Nthalire), has been built with funding from United States based Cross Catholic Outreach.
Thumbo Zone has over 600 Catholic faithful, and the new church provides a permanent place of worship for the community. During the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Mtumbuka expressed gratitude to Cross Catholic Outreach for their generous support. He also commended Sub T/A Kopakopa and GVH Uledi, who, despite not being Catholic, were instrumental in requesting the construction of church’s in their villages.
“These chiefs could have asked for a borehole, a school block, or other developments, but they prioritized a church. This shows God’s work in their hearts,” said Bishop Mtumbuka. He also thanked T/A Kopakopa for donating land for both the church and an ongoing health center construction project.
In his homily, the Bishop reminded the faithful that the church is not just a building but a gateway to spiritual renewal. “This church should remind you that God is with you, especially in difficult times. As we celebrate the Year of the Pilgrims of Hope, let this church strengthen your faith and hope in God,” he emphasized. He further urged Catholics to live in harmony with their neighbors, avoiding conflicts and encouraging unity.
Boniface Kaira, Vice PPC Chairperson, thanked Cross Catholic Outreach for funding multiple projects in Kopakopa, including health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), spiritual, nutrition, and agricultural initiatives. “These projects have transformed our community,” he said.
After the consecration, Bishop Mtumbuka visited The Health Center Construction Site, where an Outpatient Department (OPD) building and two staff houses are under development. Mukure Primary School where the Diocese is constructing three new school blocks, an administration building, a solar-powered water system, and five teachers’ houses. All these projects are funded by Cross Catholic Outreach.
