Press Release: New Catholic Archbishop in Blantyre, Malawi

The Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) in Malawi is pleased to announce that 

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Right Reverend Thomas Luke Msusa Archbishop of Blantyre, transferring him from the Episcopal See of Zomba. The announcement will be made today, Thursday, 21 November 2013 at noontime in the Vatican.

The Right Reverend Montfort Stima, Auxiliary Bishop of Blantyre and currently Diocesan Administrator of the Archdiocese, remains in charge of the Archdiocese up until Rt. Rev. Thomas Msusa will take possession of the Archiepiscopal See of Blantyre.

Dated: 21 November 2013, Lilongwe

Press Release

Newsletter South Africa no 33 – November 24, 2013

MALAWI – Corruption Scandal: “Speedy prosecutions to regain the trust of donors” asks the Church

Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – Do everything possible to clean up politics and administration in order to regain the confidence of international donors whose aid is needed to alleviate the suffering of the population. This is the meaning of the message delivered by Chris Chisoni, Secretary General of the Commission for “Justice and Peace” of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, at a press conference at the end of the meeting of the Commissions “Justice and Peace” of 8 Catholic dioceses in the Country.

“The Church cannot just sit and watch some of the challenges Malawians are facing now hence the need for us to speak out with one voice over these issues”, said Chisoni.

International donors (European Union, Great Britain, Norway and the African Development Bank) have stopped giving aid to Malawi following the discovery of serious fraud on the use of funds received. It is estimated that at least 185 million dollars have been stolen from state coffers.

So far, fifty officials have been arrested, including the Minister of Justice, Ralph Kasambara.

In relation to the so-called “cash-gate” Chisoni said that “we want the arrest of all those involved, sparing no sacred cow”.

Representatives of Justice and Peace finally ask donors to reconsider the suspension of aid that is having serious social consequences: food shortages in certain areas of the Country, with serious risks to people; drastic decrease of school attendance and risks for next year’s harvest. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2013)

Encyclical Letter Lumen Fidei of The Supreme Pontiff Francis

The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Christ says of himself: “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46). Saint Paul uses the same image: “God who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts” (2 Cor 4:6). The pagan world, which hungered for light, had seen the growth of the cult of the sun god, Sol Invictus, invoked each day at sunrise. Yet though the sun was born anew each morning, it was clearly incapable of casting its light on all of human existence. The sun does not illumine all reality; its rays cannot penetrate to the shadow of death, the place where men’s eyes are closed to its light. “No one — Saint Justin Martyr writes — has ever been ready to die for his faith in the sun”. FULL TEXT        Texte en français

Ordination to the diaconate of Antony Alckias (India) and Tomasz Podrazik (Poland)

Invitation from the Missionaries of Africa, Merrivale Formation House Community in South Africa.

Ordination to the diaconate of Antony Alckias (India) and Tomasz Podrazik (Poland)

Date: Saturday, 14^th December 2013.

Venue: St. Raphael Parish, Kwa Mzimba, Arch-diocese of Durban, South Africa. 

Time: 11:00 AM.

By His Eminence Wilfrid Cardinal Napier OFM, Archbishop of Durban.