MALAWI: Zomba Diocese Opens Eighteenth Parish

The Catholic Diocese of Zomba continues to grow as evidenced by the opening of the eighteenth parish at St. Vincent de Paul – Katamba by the Bishop of the Diocese Rt. Rev. George Desmond Tambala.

Speaking when he was officially opening the parish at a ground-breaking ceremony, Bishop Tambala said the opening of the new parish in the Diocese is a clear indication that the Church is growing.

The Bishop said the birth of the parish is the fruit of the Diocese’s five-year Strategic Plan (2017-2022). He appealed to the Christians to remain united all the time as disciples of Jesus Christ who are being sent to do God’s work without hesitation or grumbling.

“Today, we are celebrating the opening of a new parish. But mind you, there is a lot of work that needs to be done here such as construction of a rectory. For this to happen, it depends on your unity, commitment and hardworking spirit,” continued Bishop Tambala.

Bishop Tambala challenged Christians under the new parish to work hard, saying that there are a lot of things that need to be done to ensure that the parish is functioning effectively.

He further urged the Christians to respect the set boundaries by sticking to their parish and avoid crossing the floor to nearby parishes, when they have their own newly opened parish in the name of St. Vincent de Paul (Katamba) parish, which was a former outstation of Zomba Cathedral parish.

The Ordinary of Zomba Diocese also asked chiefs from the surrounding villages who were also present at the ceremony to collaborate with the new parish’s leaders to ensure holistic development in the area. Bishop Tambala said where the Catholic Church goes, not only Catholics benefit from the services of the Church.

At the ceremony, Bishop Tambala installed Fr. Lucious Chikwawa as parish priest for the new parish.

The Bishop also introduced Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Rosary, also known as Rosarian Sisters from Mzuzu Diocese who will also be based at the parish in due course.

Speaking later at the same function, the Chairperson for Events Committee in Zomba Diocese, Mr. Peter Chaputula, congratulated the Christians of the new parish because their long-time request for a parish has now seen the light of the day.

Traditional Authority Nkagula of the area has assured the Diocese of the community’s support towards all the projects which will be coming to the parish so that the area socially develops.

Recently, the Catholic Diocese of Zomba has opened three parishes, including this newly opened one. Other recently opened parishes are Holy Trinity (Matawale) and St. Lawrence (Kwipululu) parishes which were opened in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Zomba has eighteen parishes, including this newly opened one which has a total of five outstations, namely; St. Vincent de Paul – Katamba; St. Paul-Mpoola; St. Francis-Bimbi; St. Kizito Namadingo; and Sacred Heart-Makumba.

By Mastone Peter

Communications Secretary, Diocese of Zomba