MALAWI: Catholic Children Urged to Share Their Faith
Most Rev. Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye, Archbishop of Lilongwe during Mass
The Archbishop of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Most Rev. Tarcizio Ziyaye has urged children in the Archdiocese to share their faith with fellow children and parents as they too were sent to evangelize by virtue of Baptism.
Most Rev. Tarcizio Ziyaye made the call on Sunday, the 6th of January during national celebration of Epiphany Sunday at Chiphaso Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. He said the celebration reminds Church of its mission that all people know Christ, hence children needs to be helped to safeguard their faith and share it with others.
The Archbishop said children are active and important members of the Church and that’s why, guided by Pope Francis, the Catholic Church is doing its best to help children realize their duties and responsibilities which they received during Baptism. He also thanked the children for highly patronizing the event which he said shows the strong faith they have in Christ
“Through baptism, you received the gifts of the Holy Spirit which guide you to realize the truth of our lives, Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, there is nothing like relative truth, don’t be fooled with so many things happening in the world today. Jesus Christ is the only truth and your faith in him is an asset which has to be shared with others so that they know him as well,” said Archbishop Ziyaye.
He continued that the Church and parents are supposed to guide children spiritually, physically and emotionally so that they grow into responsible Christians as they are the future of the Church and the world. He therefore urged parents to live by example, always praying with their children at home and accompanying them to Church. He also encouraged animators of Holy Childhood to continue the good work they do as he advised the children to obey and respect parents and animators.
“Through the help of your animators, parents, priests, sisters and others, continue growing in God’s wisdom and let Jesus Christ be the way of your lives. Go to Church always and encourage other children who do not belong to your groups to start going to Church and join you. Always remember that God commands us to respect our parents, not to steal – to observe all the commandments. These will help you grow into responsible Christians,” advised the Archbishop.
Representing the children, Pius Pherani said children appreciate the support they always get from the bishops as they are not left alone during their functions. He also thanked the Church in Malawi for allowing children to participate in Church activities which gives them confidence in their Christianity.
“Indeed as children, through Sacrament of Baptism, we are sent to do charity work, give alms, to help others in need and to pray for others. The Church has helped us realize this through Holy Childhood activities and we are happy,” said Pius.
He then asked parents who do not allow their children to participate in Holy Childhood activities to allow them do because Jesus Christ himself is commanding them to let the children come to him.
This Year’s Epiphany Sunday was celebrated under the theme “Children are Baptized and Sent to Evangelize”. Children from all parishes of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe gathered for the national celebrations at Chiphaso Parish while other celebrations will be at deanery and parish level.
∽End∽By:
ECM’s Stella Zulu
