Catholic Priest Makina laid to rest at Limbe Cathedral Cemetery
Thousands of Roman Catholic faithful and other denominations gathered at Limbe Cathedral cemetery in Blantyre on Monday to pay their last respect to the late Rev. Fr Joseph Makina, who died on February 6, 2014 after battling with pains he sustained in a road accident in May 2009.
At exactly, 1:50 pm the body of the late Makina, who died at the age of 41 was lowered into the grave amid sombre faces and tears.
A cross section of people that included Archbishop Thomas Msusa, Bishop Peter Musukuwa, Bishop Montfort Stima and Housing Minister Henry Phoya were all present during the funeral ceremony.
In his eulogy, Archbishop Msusa described the late Makina as an initiator of development activities, saying he had left a big gap in the Catholic Church.
For instance, the late Makina was paying school fees to many secondary school students from Phalombe that were called Ekarra students.
He also established a polytechnic technical school in his parish were the youths learn different skills starting with carpentry.
In his eulogy, Phoya said President Joyce Banda was saddened with the death of Fr Makina.
“The President could have loved to be with us here but because of other commitments she has send me to represent her. She is deeply shocked with the death of Fr Makina and she conveyed a message of condolence of the Catholic Church and the deceased family,” said Phoya.
Meanwhile, Saulos Chilima a runningmate to DPP presidential candidate has paid tribute to Fr Makina, saying he was influential in the preaching the word of God, which led many to love their religion.
Chilima – a leader in Catholic church groups- described Makina as “dedicated and determined clergy.”
The late Fr Makina was born on 19th July ,1973 at Gundu Village, T/A Nkhumba in Phalombe District. And went to Pius XII Seminary in 1990.
In 1998 he went to Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji District before going to St Peters Major Seminary in Zomba. On 26, July 2003 he was ordained as a priest and he worked at Nguludi Parish from 2003-2008 before being transferred to Mwanza Parish.
In May 2009, Fr Makina was involved in fatal accident where he got injured and he has been bed ridden for six years until he breathed his last.
