MALAWI: ECM President Calls for Genuine Unity Among Clerics
Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, Credit: Malawi Communications
Sam Kalimba
Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of the Archdiocese of Blantyre and President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) called on all the clergy in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe to work together regardless of some being diocesan and others being members of Religious congregations.
He said this while addressing the priests on the occasion of the 2021 Chrism Mass.
Most Rev. Msusa advised all priests to live the unity they preach regardless of their different congregations.
Challenging the leadership of the Association of Men in Religious Institutes of Malawi (AMRIM) he said, “You may be of that congregation or this, but we have one mission, to give Jesus Christ to the people of God. That is the priesthood of Christ. The congregational arrangement is just a plan for us to work effectively. For this reason, we must remain united. Let’s show our true unity in all avenues not only during Chrism Mass, nor during funerals of a fellow member of a Religious institute. Unity means doing everything together, openly and without competitiveness.”
He also challenged AMRIM to improve on unity and called for planning meetings just as the diocesan associations are doing in the country.
He said, “Lilongwe is the base of most Provincial Heads of congregations but you find that they are not able to meet.”
in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
Credit: Malawi Communications
He told the flock that gathered for the Chrism Mass in the Our Lady of Africa Cathedral that there is no sense of unity and love to have each Congregation working separately from others.
He premised his advice on the fact that the AMRIM Secretariat has not made any progress report to ECM’s Mixed Commission.
On the other hand, the Archbishop thanked the Association of Diocesan Catholic Clergy of Malawi (ADCCOM) and the Association of Women in Religious Institutes of Malawi (AWRIM) for demonstrating sense of direction and working together in unity in the national institutions.
He specifically encouraged the spirit that is in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe of opening up all doors and windows for all to come, citing the example of how Kachebere Major Seminary is being run.
He said that the Seminary has priests, brothers and Sisters from various congregations despite being a formation house for diocesan priests in Malawi, a symbol of unity. He then called upon other congregations to replicate the standards set by Kachebere Seminary and the Association of Diocesan Catholic Clergy in Malawi.
“Congratulations to the Association of Diocesan Catholic Clergy of Lilongwe (ADCCOL). Thank you AWRIM. You are doing fine on this aspect. I would like to however, invite AMRIM publicly here to consider checking themselves and catch up with the speed at which others are moving,” said His Grace.
