Anglican mourn Revered Canon Mandambwe

Dark cloud has engulfed the Anglican Church and the nation at large following the death Reverend Canon John Mandambwe who until his death was a retired teacher and voluntary priest in the Diocese of Upper Shire. He passed on May 3, 2017.

John Edward Archibald Mandambwe has also been to the war that made him come up with a book “Can You Tell Me Why I Went to War?” A Story of a Young King’s Rifle, Reverend Father John E.A. Mandambwe’ that he co-authored with Mario Kolk, about his seven year military career took him to countries like Egypt and India and he returned as a Staff-Sergeant

A saddened Bishop Malasa disclosed on Wednesday that Canon Mandambwe has done a lot of service to the nation as he has been in the teaching professional, military and priesthood, where he served with dedication and love.

“Prior to his priesthood, he served in Malawi Railways at Monkey Bay and a teacher at Nsalabani, Chipalamawamba, Mdeka, Chilipa, Mpinganjira, Dwaleni, Nkhudzi Bay after serving in the Kings African Riffles (KAR) as a forced soldier like it was amongst the youth then during the second world war. He fought in that war in Burma, now Mynmmar,” said Bishop Malasa.

Born on January 1 1926, Mandambwe was conferred a Deacon on 23rd April, 1978, and Priest on 15th April, 1979 at Malindi by the Archbishop Donald Arden, CBE, then Bishop of Southern Malawi and Archbishop of Central Africa.

He was further made an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, together with Canon Christopher Mwawa in 2010 by the current Bishop of Upper Shire.

“As a Priest he was assisting at St. Martin Church – Malindi Parish. He died peacefully yester night on 3rd May 2017 at St. Martin Hospital in Malindi, in the area of Traditional Authority Chowe, Mangochi District,” said Bishop Malasa.

In a separate interview with Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Southern, the Right Reverend Alinafe Kalemba said he was saddened with the death of Canon Mandambwe and joined the Upper Shire Diocese and the bereaved family in mourning the Canaan

“Canon Mandambwe was a father to all of us and mature priest. He served with commitment and dedication. May he rest in eternal peace,” said Bishop Kalemba on Wednesday night.

From the Roman Catholic Church; Father Kamanga and Father Mwaliwa are among the Clergy that have joined the multitude in mourning the veteran Anglican Priest.

Wrote Fr. Mwaliwa for the Catholic Diocese of Zomba: “We are saddened with the loss. Our prayers are with you in this trying moment. MHSRIP”

Fr. Kamanga wrote for Mangochi diocese as follows: “Pepani. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Chilema Lay Training Centre Programs Director wrote: “We extend our sincere condolences for the great loss of our beloved Canon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in the Diocese of Upper Shire. May His Soul Rest In Peace.”

The resting place of Canaan Mandambwe is at Saint Martin Cemetery after the second Mass celebrated by the Lord Bishop of Upper Shire, the Right Reverend Brighton Vita Malasa, OSF in the St. Martin’s Church – Malindi Parish, with Homily made by Reverend Canon Martin Mgeni but Reverend Father Macdonald Njala Banda directing the function.

But on Wednesday at 4pm there was Mass celebrated by a fellow Canaan, the Reverend Canon John Mchakama, Archdeacon of Mangochi East and Parish Priest of Malindi Mission and all  other Canaan in the Diocese payed their last respect to their colleague.

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