MALAWI: ECM launches a five-year strategic framework
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), an umbrella body of Catholic Bishops in all the eight dioceses in Malawi on 2nd, February 2018 launched a five-year strategic framework that will guide the operations of the Catholic Church in Malawi from 2018 to 2022.
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Present during the launch of the framework at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe were all the Catholic Bishops in Malawi, the donor partners, laity and ECM staff from the dioceses and at the national level.
Speaking during the launch, ECM Chairman Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre said that following the expiry of the framework that has been running from 2013 to 2017 and considering the changing of the operating context, the Bishops commissioned the review of the framework.
“It has been a long journey full of brainstorming, consultations and discussions leading to the approval of the new strategic framework by the Bishops in November 2017. Today, our hearts are full of joy because we now have a new strategic framework,” said Archbishop Msusa.
He added that the strategic framework launched has affirmed the Church’s desire to reorganize itself into three directorates of Pastoral; Social Development and Finance, Investment and Administration.
Director and Trocaire representative
“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail hence the reason ECM embarked on the planning process by developing this strategic framework which is aimed at evaluating where the Church through its activities is coming from, where it is now and where it is going,” he said.
Archbishop Msusa further expressed that the Catholic Church in Malawi is committed to working together with government in uplifting the welfare of Malawians through its Commissions like the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi, health and education commissions.
Earlier, the Director of Social Development for ECM and also Chairman for the technical working committee of the strategic framework, Mr. Carstens Mulume said the Church in Malawi is committed to providing well-coordinated holistic evangelisation through teaching the word of God, Sacraments and facilitating integral human development as its mission.
“Among our strategic goals is that Catholic members are transformed into missionary disciples of Jesus Christ and stewards of God’s creation hence all commissions in the Catholic Church work for integral development of all people in Malawi in a coordinated manner,” Mr. Mulume said.
He expressed confidence that, the Catholic Church in Malawi has effective, efficient and coordinated governance and management policies, structures and systems, therefore they will be able to achieve what has been highlighted in the strategic frame work.
The framework has been developed with financial and technical support from Caritas Australia, Catholic Relief Services, Trocaire and Caritas Norway.
The eight Catholic Dioceses in Malawi where the new strategic framework is set to be implemented include: Lilongwe and Blantyre Archdioceses and the Dioceses of Karonga, Mzuzu, Dedza, Mangochi, Zomba and Chikwawa.
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By Prince Henderson-ECM Communications Officer
