St Pauls Parish celebrates 50th anniversary, VP graces it
St Pauls parish of the influential Roman Church in Mzimba on Satuarday celebrated 50th anniversary from 1961 to 2012.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Joseph Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese who is also the Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
State vice president Khumbo Kachali, Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa IV, lawmakers Akimu Mwanza, Abbie Shawa and Dr Bofomo Nyirenda were among other dignitaries during the colourful Eucharistic celebration.
‘Christians shouldn’t be like briefcase parties’
In his homily, Rt Rev Bishop Zuza said the Roman Catholic church continues to grow and urged the faithful to remain steadfast in prayer and deeds.
Bishop Zuza further challenged the church’s Christians to live by the example set by Jesus Christ in spreading the gospel.
He said just like today’s political parties, Jesus Christ had manifestos which was to save mankind and winning souls to the kingdom of God.
”Every Christian is therefore called to duty in spreading the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Zuza.
”As Christians, we shouldn’t be like briefcase political parties that do not have manifestos. Our duty and manifesto is to spread the word of God.”
Zuza urged Catholic church faithful to be ambassadors of love and good deeds in their everyday lives.
VP urges constructive criticism
In his speech, Vice President Kachali thanked Bishop Zuza and the entire Catholic church for their stance in publicly challenging autocratic and dictatorship tendencies during the past regimes.
Kachali further urged the church to offer constructive criticism to President Joyce Banda’s government so that it delivers to the expectations of Malawians.
”Bishop Zuza and the entire Roman Catholic stood firm in condemning autocratic and dictatorial tendencies. Let this continue even now that the Peoples Party (PP) is in power,” he said.
Bishop Zuza is well remembered for a famous ‘Chindere Chakufikapo’ scathing homily against late president Bingu wa Mutharika during the National prayers at Comesa Hall.
During the function, Kachali donated a plasma screen to St Pauls Parish.
Growth of Catholic
The celebration of the 5oth anniversary is a witness of accomplishment and growth of the Catholic Church in Mzuzu Diocese and the Catholic Church in Malawi.
The parish was established in 1961 by Fr Micheal Winkile and it has h has grown up to 30 out stations.
Recently , the northern region saw the creation Karonga Diocese ..
The Diocese of Karonga covers districts of Chitipa and Karonga, ecclesiastically what was the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Mzuzu. The Diocese of Mzuzu, remains with Rumphi, Mzimba, Nkhatabay and parts of Kasungu.
