Mtumbuka takes on Catholic critics at Bishop Zuza memorial: ‘Malawi Catholic Church not an NGO or club’

Hundreds of people from all walks of life joined the Catholic Diocese of Karonga in a solemn mass Friday to commemorate the first anniversary since the death of Bishop Mukasa Zuza – former Bishop of Mzuzu, where the Diocese’s Bishop Martin Mtumbuka described Catholic Church critics as ignorant of the Church’s doctrines and hailed Bishop Zuza as “a brave servant of God.”

Bishop Mtumbuka: Malawi Catholic Church
Bishop Mtumbuka: Malawi Catholic Church is not a club or NGO

Bishop Zuza died in a car accident on January 15, 2015 at Nthungwa in Mzimba – a few kilometers to Mzuzu City.

In his homily at St Mary’s Parish in Karonga, which revolved around the theme of faith and being firm in the Catholic faith, Mtumbuka called on Catholics in the country not to be swayed by pagans.

“Be firm. Defend your faith. Don’t let pagans confuse you,” a spirited Bishop Mtumbuka said.

He said it was useless to remember the life and works of Bishop Zuza without centering it on the theme of faith.

The Catholic bishop repeatedly described Zuza – who for fifteen years was Bishop – as a “selfless, humble and brave servant of God.”

Bishop Mtumbuka lashed at Catholics who are failing to defend their faith. He appealed to such Catholics to remain steadfast to their faith.

“Don’t let people who have never been to a theology lecture tell you about your faith. Don’t be intimidated. Be strong in your faith,” he said.

According to Mtumbuka, those who are unable to defend their Catholic faith were the same as dead.

“Someone who has never been to the Catholic Church cannot teach you about Catholic doctrines. They cannot. We your bishops and priests have that task to teach you about the Catholic faith, not just anyone,” he added.

He said the Catholic Church “is not a club. It is not an NGO.”

Said Mtumbuka: “It is a movement. Many people died for this faith. St. Stephen, St. Paul, St. Peter and many others.”

He said many critics of the Catholic Church “do not understand the doctrines of the Church because it has the most complex of doctrines.”

The bishop then asked Catholics in the country to pray for priests and bishops in the country so that they could be “as brave as Bishop Zuza.”

Bishop Zuza was born in 1955 in Mzimba, and was ordained priest on July 25, 1982 by Bishop John Louis Jobidon.

He was consecrated Bishop of Mzuzu on May 6, 1995 and became the first black bishop of the diocese. Before the Mzuzu Diocese was divided by the Holy See in 2010, Zuza was bishop for one of the largest dioceses in Malawi.

Zuza was instrumental and “provided” great advice during meetings prior to and after the creation of the Diocese of Karonga – which had been under Mzuzu Diocese, according to Mtumbuka.

As bishop, Zuza served as chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi and died in office as chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.

In 2011, during prayers that were organized in the wake of turbulent socio-eco-political times that hit the country, Zuza told late Pres Bingu wa Mutharika in the face – during his homily – that one who does not listen to other people’s advice “is the most stupid person [Chindere Chakufikapo].”

At the time, Mutharika had been blamed by several quarters for “executive arrogance.” The former president suffered a horde of nationwide criticisms and strikes including the July 20, 2011 anti-government protests which claimed twenty lives.

Mutharika died a few months later on April 5, 2012 of cardiac arrest.

 

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kukhala
kukhala
8 years ago

APPOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVENGELISTS, PASTORS AND TEACHERS AS STATED IN THE BIBBLE AS CHURCH MINISTRIES ARE NOW VISIBLE IN MALAWI AND THREATING MARKET OF MOST OLD CHURCHES INCLUDING THE ROMAN CATHOLIC. ACTIVITIES OF MOST MINISTRIES AS MENTIONED IN MY COMMENT HEREIN ARE FAR MUCH BETTER AND OFFER BEST ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO DAY’S LIFE CHALLENGES

Duma
Duma
8 years ago

November rain; whoever you are, it shows how far from truth you are.

James
James
8 years ago

Glory be to God Praise Jesus for forming and guiding the Catholic Church right from the time he appointed the Apostles and put St.Peter in charge here on earth. Many Kings, Rulers, so called religions have used whatever goes in their mind, used whatever virulent words they have mastered, crafted what weapon and intimidation to put down and silence the catholic Church. It has to their big disappointment come out much better than before. We believe that Jesus leads the Catholic Church. He is the Catholic Church. Some Jews conived with the Romans to extinguish the church by calling it… Read more »

November Rain
November Rain
8 years ago

Catholics are so far away from God. Idols is all what the church is; hence idol worship. First, they ask Mary to pray for them as if they cant pray for themselves. They do this while bowing down to Mary idol in front of the church building or their rosary. What is that? Is there any other church more pagan than this? So what is it that this Mtumbuka is talking about? Second they revere the Pope as a representation of God yet they themselves choose the Pope. What crap is this? Those close to the Pope even worship him,… Read more »

KAPINGIRI K
KAPINGIRI K
8 years ago

Karoda, this is exactly the ignorance which the Bishop is talking about. Catholics do not worship Mary the mother of Jesus, ask the catholics themselves what they do of the mother of our Lord Jesus and stop putting words in the mouths of the catholics, they can speak for themselves on matters they know best and believe in..

drogba
8 years ago

It is naivety of greatest degree if a Catholic doesn’t consider himself/herself pagan. What it means is that such a person literally doesn’t know anything about God, Jesus and the Bible. It means that he/she just follows that religion blindedly. What religion encourages its members to bow down and worship idols? What religion tells its members to worship Mary as the “Mother of God”?? Do we need to go to a theological college to know that this is wrong? After all theological colleges teach philosophies, and not Bible truths. I’m not surprised therefore because this whole pagan Roman religion, established… Read more »

Masozi Mwenifumbo
Masozi Mwenifumbo
8 years ago

Hear RC, all Churches, all nations and creation! Jesus commanded us to obey what He commanded us, that is what He Himself by the Holy Spirit also commanded the Early Church Apostles of His Church He started building upon Himself as ROCK to go and preach to all nations and all creation up to the end of the World! Jesus our Lord and Saviour Himself said anyone who hears what He Himself teaches and does what He Himself commands in the Father’s only one PERFECT WILL, will be saved and enter His Father’s Kingdom! Our Lord Holy Spirit, when He… Read more »

Achimidizimidzi
Achimidizimidzi
8 years ago

Defending faith, how? You think God needs your defence. That defence of faith is on the human plane.

Mr. Bishop what’s wrong with you.

Takondwat
Takondwat
8 years ago

Bravo Bishop Mtumbuka- Keep the fire burning

Mwandira
Mwandira
8 years ago

You say Nthungwa is a few kilometres from Mzuzu. How many KMs? Sure? Be accurate.

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