Father Masauko laid to rest after emotional ceremony

Politicians that included Malawi’s Vice President Saulosi Chilima and chiefs joined Roman Catholic faithfuls in Limbe Cathedral’s Square on Monday to bid an emotional farewell to Fr Edward Masauko at a funeral that drew thousands mourners to Blantyre Archdiocese.

Fr Masauko died on Friday afternoon at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital after battling with High Blood Pressure.

There was wailing from Catholics as Fr Masauko’s white casket, was brought out from Limbe Cathedral with fellow priests moving it slowly to the hearse ready for burial at the Cathedrals cemetery.

At exactly 2:15 pm, the body of the late Fr Masauko was lowered into the grave, as Limbe Cathedral Choir members were singing,“ Ndigoneranji m’manda ndekha, Apapa tsalani ngakhale mundikonda Ambuye tsogoleleni ndili ndekha.”

Back in church, in his eulogy, Blantyre Archdiocese Vicar General Fr Boniface Tamani sais:“Today we bury our brother, friend, in the earth as a seed of immortality — our hearts are full of sadness, yet at the same time of joyful hope and profound gratitude.”

He described the late Fr Masauko as a hardworking priest, who also stood for justice.

“He was a hard working priest, who always spoke for the truth. Archbishop Thomas Msusa, who is in Rome is so saddened with this death because it is sad to be losing priests at the time when the Archdiocese needs them most,” said Fr Tamani.

Malawi Vice President Saulosi Chilima, a devout Catholic, also said the State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was shocked and saddened with Fr Masauko’s death.

He said Mutharika and the late Fr Masauko were friends and he conveyed his condolence message to the family and the Catholic Church in Malawi.

Also present during the funeral ceremony was minister of Gender Patricia Kaliati, minister of Information Jappie Mhango and other Catholic politicians like State spy master Nicholas Dausi, PPM president Mark Kantsonga, former lawmakers George Mnesa and John Bande.

Presidential Advisor on Religious Apostle Timothy Khoviwa , Anglican Archbishop Brighton Malasa, Bishop Gilford Matonga, Dr Tikhala Chibwana from Malawi Post Corporation also attended the funeral ceremony.

Fr Masauko was born on 1st March 1960 at Likhomo Village, T/A Mkanda in Mulanje district.

He did his primary school at Namphungo before going to Pius XII seminary. In 1978 he went to Kachebere Major Seminary before going to St Peters Major Seminary.

He was ordained as a priest on 21st July 1985 at Limbe Cathedral by the late Archbishop James Chiona.

He served in the following parishes Mendulo, Pius XII and Kachebere seminary as lecture, Masanjala, Bangwe, Neno, Mthawira, Mtepuwa and Lunzu parish.

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