Likupe was a dedicated priest, says Ziyaye
Archbishop Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye ·says late Fr Raymond Likupe did not belong to a group of church leaders that are there to decorate religion but witnessed the love of Christ through his strong advocacy for equity and justice.
Fr Likupe who died on Monday and was until his death a lecturer at the Chancellor College of the University of Malawi in Zomba. He was also a member of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry for the July 20 anti-government demonstrations which saw 19 people killed.
“Fr Likupe he was a dedicated priest and a well educated one having attended several schools in America,” said His Grace Ziyaye during the send-off Eucharistic celebration of the cleric.
“’It’s sad to be losing priests at the time when the diocese need them most. He was also a brave man and committed in his work,” he said.
Principal of Chancellor College, Chris Kamlongera in his eulogy said: “It’s a big blow to Chanco because he also an advisor in our council. An intelligent and humble priest.”
Kamlongera said the priest complained of fever before being taken Adventist church where he passed away.
He died at the age of 51. Fr Likupe hailed from Khomera Village, T/A Dambe, Mwanza District. He was ordained priest on 15th July, 1990.
Thousands of mourners including Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikhwawa Diocese, Bishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Zomba Diocese, Bishop Montfort Sitima of Blantyre, bishop emeritus Felix Mkhori and bishop emeritus Allan Changwera converged to witness the burial of Fr Likupe.
Also at the funeral ceremony in a sombre mood were government minister John Bande and People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga.
Meanwhile, Sister Rustika Kamwendo of the Catholic Congregation of Teresian Sisters died Monday November 7 in Lilongwe at the age of 83.
Sister Rustika Kamwendo was born on 4th April, 1928. She hailed from Mwandawala Village in Traditional Authority Zulu’s area in Mchinji District.
She was a teacher by profession and served as Vice Provincial Superior General from 1983 to 1993. She was resident at Mtima Woyera Parish when she died.
She will be buried Wednesday November 9 at Mlare in Mitundu.
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