Bishop Malasa urges Anglican clergy to practice what they preach

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire, Right Reverend Bishop Brighton Malasa, has advised the clergy in the church to practice what they preach in order to serve their flock with diligence.

Bishop Malasa was speaking on Saturday at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral – Mpondasi in Mangochi during the making of five ordinands to become deacons.

The prelate emphasized that the clergy were supposed to cultivate a spirit of servant leadership by being exemplary and practicing what they preach in order to bring peace and harmony among their congregants.

“You must ensure that you serve the interests of the underprivileged. You should strive to be the voice for the voiceless and above everything else walk what you talk,” he advised.

Malasa also cautioned the newly consecrated deacons against the desire for self-enrichment, saying most people serving in religious life fail because of the love for personal gains over those of their followers.

“There has been a lot of talk about unity in diversity. Remember we are the salt and light of the world where justice, peace and freedom should always prevail,” he added.

He, however, encouraged the ordinands to work towards ecumenism where the heads of the two Churches (Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Webby and Pope Francis) advocate for the union of the churches by working in close collaboration.

Malasa, therefore, pointed out that the clergy and the deacons in particular were supposed to be instrumental in spearheading development activities at parish, community and national levels to effectively complement government in the same.

He observed that the government and the church were partners in development because they both serve the interests of people in the country by among other things providing social amenities to improve quality of life.

The Bishop added that the same peace that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples should transcend across the country by embracing the development pillars of patriotism, integrity and hard work in a bid to achieve meaningful development.

In his homily, the Reverend Canon Hopeson Odala Jailosi, challenged the Deacons to be courageous since religious life had its ups and downs, noting that not everything would be rosy in the spiritual life.

Drawing his sermon from Romans 12: 1-13, Jailosi advised the Deacons to follow strictly their vow of obedience and loyalty to serving God, saying most often people serving Christ forget to be humble and obedient in their work.

Jailosi also appealed to the new Deacons to respect those in authority and build their faith in prayer and the word of God.

Speaking as Guest of Honour during the function, Information and Communications Technology Minister, Nicholas Dausi hailed the role the Anglican Church plays in supporting government development programmes.

“Government appreciates the important role that the Anglican Church plays in the development of this country. You are supporting government in education, health and agriculture which is very commendable,” he said.

On his part, Dausi asked the Deacons to be exemplary in society and read the Holy Bible to draw wisdom for spreading the word of God effectively. Dausi, however, observed that churches and the Anglican in particular was required to deepen its evangelization drive because of Mangochi’s ‘volatility.’

Meanwhile, the new Deacons have been posted to the following parishes respectively; Chikondi Pembamoyo has been sent to Matope, Benjamin Chilonga to Monkey Bay, William Maulidi to Nkope Hill, Justice Namangale to Malindi and Lawrence Chipwatali to St. Peter and Paul.

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