Malawi courageous Bishop Zuza laid to rest

Thousands of Roman Catholic Church faithful led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, Archbishop Julio Murat and other denominations gathered at St Peters Cathedral in Mzuzu diocese on Monday to pay their last respect to the late Bishop Thomas Mukasa Zuza of the Diocese of Mzuzu, who was laid to rest after died in a car crash last Thursday.

At exactly, 2:10 pm the body of Bishop Zuza, who died at the age of 59 was lowered into the grave.

A cross section of people, who braved heavy rains in Mzuzu that included  the State President Peter Mutharika, Vice President Saulosi Chilima, Malawi Congress Party  (MCP) president Lazarous Chakwera,  former vice president Khumbo Kachali, National Assembly Speaker Richard Msowoya, former First Lady Calista Mutharika .

Vice President Chilima on behalf of the State President in his eulogy asked Malawians to emulate the life and stewardship that the late Reverend Bishop lived when serving the church and the country in various portfolios.

In his remarks, Archbishop Thomas Msusa saluted the late Bishop for his courage when speaking the truth for the sake of the poor and the nation.

“This is the man who dedicated his life to serving God and speaking for the truth always without fear or favour. He was active, courageous and friendly and it is like a nightmare that he is gone,” said Archbishop Msusa.

Zuza is well known for rebuking former Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika for his autocratic leadership style, saying any person who thinks is always perfect is wrong and “chindere chakufikapo”.

The Archbishop described the death of Zuza as a big blow to the church.

“We have lost a pillar in our church. He was a well dedicated Bishop in serving God and the Church,” he said.

His Grace also expressed gratitude to the State President Peter Mutharika for financial support amounting to K2 million which was used during the funeral ceremony.

A relative to the late Bishop described the death as backyard step to the family because he was a pillar.

“This is a sad moment because Joseph was a pillar, who we all relied,” he said.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, Archbishop Julio Murat said he was inspired with the way the late Bishop Zuza dedicated his life to God, citing an example when he visited the late Bishop in September last year.

“I saw a Pastor who prays with a special time-table and he served God and the Church with his heart. In Zuza l saw a man of faith which moved him to prayers and loving God,” said the Apostolic Nuncio.

The late Bishop Zuza was born on 2, October, 1955 at Marembo Village, T/A Mbelwa in Mzimba district.

The late Bishop was the first born in a family of nine children.

The late Bishop was ordained a deacon on 30, May, 1982 before being ordained as a priest on 25th, July, 1982 at St Patrick’s now St Dennis Parish in Rumphi.

In 1995 St. John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese.

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