MALAWI: Bishop Mtumbuka worried about lack of discipline on Seminarians
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| Bishop Mtumbuka addressing guests at St. Patrick Seminary in Rumphi during the celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day, the Patron Saint of the seminary |
Bishop
Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese has expressed concern over the increasing
number of seminarians being expelled from major seminaries in the country.
Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese has expressed concern over the increasing
number of seminarians being expelled from major seminaries in the country.
Bishop
Mtumbaka for example said seven seminarians from Karonga Diocese have been
dismissed from Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji in the last 12 months, a
situation he said is a sign of immaturity and lack of discipline among those
pursuing priesthood.
Mtumbaka for example said seven seminarians from Karonga Diocese have been
dismissed from Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji in the last 12 months, a
situation he said is a sign of immaturity and lack of discipline among those
pursuing priesthood.
He was
speaking at St Patrick’s Seminary in Rumphi on Saturday during this year’s St
Patrick’s Day celebrations which is commemorated every year on March 17 in
honour of St Patrick of Ireland, patron saint for the seminary.
“These
individuals were not dismissed because of theological issues like not maturing
in faith or prayer, but for petty things. To the seminary, this is bad; to the
church, very bad; and to me as the bishop, very bad,” said Bishop Mtumbuka who
is also the Chairman for Seminaries at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi
(ECM).
individuals were not dismissed because of theological issues like not maturing
in faith or prayer, but for petty things. To the seminary, this is bad; to the
church, very bad; and to me as the bishop, very bad,” said Bishop Mtumbuka who
is also the Chairman for Seminaries at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi
(ECM).
He called on
minor seminaries such as St Patrick’s to uphold standards to ensure that those
vying for priesthood are disciple and mature.
minor seminaries such as St Patrick’s to uphold standards to ensure that those
vying for priesthood are disciple and mature.
“Discipline
of a priest is very important. Christians want priests, really desperately. But
they don’t want just any priest. They want a priest who will try to live a
certain type of life so that he can be exemplary,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
of a priest is very important. Christians want priests, really desperately. But
they don’t want just any priest. They want a priest who will try to live a
certain type of life so that he can be exemplary,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
During this
year’s celebrations, St Patrick’s Seminary Foundation-a grouping of alumni from
St Patrick’s Seminary-supported the school’s activities with Malawi kwacha 2.5
million (about $5,656).
year’s celebrations, St Patrick’s Seminary Foundation-a grouping of alumni from
St Patrick’s Seminary-supported the school’s activities with Malawi kwacha 2.5
million (about $5,656).
National
coordinator for the group, Francis Gondwe, said the group has established
business in piggery, fisheries, vegetables and poultry for the school to
support itself. He said they have also constructed pit latrines at the school
in addition to the provision of bursaries to needy students.
coordinator for the group, Francis Gondwe, said the group has established
business in piggery, fisheries, vegetables and poultry for the school to
support itself. He said they have also constructed pit latrines at the school
in addition to the provision of bursaries to needy students.
By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications
Officer
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