MALAWI: Archbishop Msusa Celebrates Silver Jubilee of Priesthood

On Sunday September 19, 2021, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese celebrated silver jubilee of his ordination to priesthood. And he chose to celebrate his anniversary Holy Mass in his home village of Iba in the area of Traditional Authority Katuli in Mangochi diocese and district.

Archbishop Msusa said he has always drawn inspiration from his priesthood motto “That they may be one” (John 17:21).

In both his homily and speech, Msusa stressed the need for unity and love.

“God called me to priesthood from Iba Village, a little-known place where nothing much would be expected. I’ve grown up here in this remote area and I never expected that today I would be here. Words fail me today because of what God is doing in my life,” he said.

The Archbishop, who is the President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), also used the anniversary to preside over the wedding of a close relative.

The Silver Jubilee anniversary Mass was attended by people from all walks of life: Catholics from various dioceses, people of other religions, traditional leaders, professionals, the Religious, politicians including the State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and wife Monica.

President Chakwera described Archbishop Msusa as “true reflection of servant leadership” saying the Archbishop’s priestly journey is an inspirational to many, including himself.

“I get inspired by the life of Archbishop Msusa every time I think of leadership. He encourages institutions to work with dedication. He is a living example of servant leadership,” President Chakwera said, at the same time, hailing what he called ‘his humility’.

“Humility is putting the interest of others first,” Chakwera said adding, “You’ve shown us the need to respect where one comes from. You were free to choose to celebrate this Silver Jubilee elsewhere in town. But you decided to do it here, in your home village.”

Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa was born on February 2, 1962 at Iba Village, in the area of T/A Katuli in Mangochi district. He was ordained priest on August 3 in 1996 by the then bishop of Mangochi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alessandro Assolari, now late.

He was appointed Bishop of Zomba Diocese on December 19, 2003 by Pope Saint John Paul II and consecrated as bishop by Archbishop Orlando Antonini, on April 17, 2004.

Most Rev. Msusa was appointed archbishop of Blantyre on November 21, 2013 and installed as such on February 8, 2014.