Callista Mutharika steals show at Catholic event
Malawi’s former First Lady Calista Mutharika on Sunday made her supposedly first public appearance since the death of her husband President Bingu wa Mutharika on April 6, 2012.
The former First Lady was spotted at Chilobwe Township in Malawi’s commercial
city of Blantyre during the unveiling ceremony of Chilobwe Parish (St Peter and Paul Parish) from a sub parish. And all eyes were on her.
Mutharika, a bonafide Catholic, appeared at the church in the company of a young girl and another unknown lady. As usual she looked sparkling and attractive in her red traditional attire.
Callista is known for her fabulously flamboyant sense of style.
Since the untimely death of her husband, the wife of the former president has not been seen in the public space as she was apparently still mourning her husband while also sorting out issues to do with property left by her husband.
Even her Callista Mutharika Safemotherhood Foundation has not been heard carrying out charity work as it used to.
And during the ceremony, His Grace Archbishop Tarcizio Ziyaye of the Blantyre Diocese led a mass alongside the new Parish Priest Fr. Peter Phiri and Fr. Benito Masuwa of St Pius Parish.
In his speech, Archbishop Ziyaye commended the congregation at the new parish for their dedication towards the transformation process of their sub parish to a fully fledged parish.
Since its establishment in February, 1975 by the late Archbishop James Chiona, St Peter and Paul, which has over 13,000 faithful, has been a sub parish for St Pius Parish.
“I am so delighted with the unity you have demonstrated, without unity we could not have been here today to unveil this Chilobwe Parish,” said Archbishop Ziyaye.
The head of Blantyre Diocese added: “I am particularly happy because on your own you have managed to find a house for your Priest and even purchase furniture for him.”
Taking his turn, Father Masuwa commended Chilobwe Parish Christians for finally standing on their own without relying entirely on the Archdiocese.
The Christians have been contributing cash towards the purchase of their parish priest’s furniture.
