MALAWI: Lay Leaders Urged to Deepen their Faith and Share with Others

Christopher Kamanga

Leaders of different lay movements in the Catholic Church in Malawi have been challenged to deepen their faith in Christ Jesus and the church if they are to bring not only themselves to Christ but others too.

Bishop Chairman of Pastoral Commission Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka made the remarks at Nkhata Bay Pastoral Centre in Mzuzu Diocese during the National Laity Council orientation, planning and commissioning ceremony on 2^nd April 2022.

Bishop Mtumbuka said the Church is active because of the laity hence they expect the lay leaders to, among others, work diligently in disseminating information that the Church is the mother of all and has a place for everyone, that they defend and share their faith with others, live and promote sacramental life as well as promote Christian family.

“We expect these leaders in their three-year tenure of office to do basic things which are to deepen their faith, grow in holiness and translate that faith into action and share their faith with others,” he said.

Rt. Rev. Mtumbuka who is the bishop of Karonga Diocese further said it is unfortunate that the depth of Catholicism has gone down especially among the young people due to inadequate efforts and programs in bringing the catechesis closer to the people. Priests are few and have a huge work. Although priests are fully equipped with knowledge about the basics of Catholicism hence they are better placed to share their knowledge with fellow Christians, still there is need to empower the lay people to take up the role of sharing the faith by teaching others this true faith.

He was quick to point out that the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has already discussed the problem and they have made resolutions which have been shared to all Diocesan Pastoral Coordinators. The Pastoral Coordinators have drawn plans for 2022 and are formulating such pastoral plans for the next three years. Such plans are embracing all lay groups in the evangelization drive. At the same time the plan is target all groups of the people of God with young people and family being the priority.

“It is a known fact to us all the Bishops that we need to address the changes of shallow faith due to inadequate catechesis. To improve the faith of our people, we want to start a series of training sessions for all agents of evangelization and also equip them with necessary information and skills in sharing the faith.

If the parents do not understand their faith it means that they cannot share it with their children. Leaving the young people with very inadequate information about their faith is very dangerous for the church because we can certainly lose them especially when these young people encounter the aggressive world that is promoting secularism. We need to help them to be strong in their faith,” the Bishop Chairman said.

In her remarks, chairperson for the laity council in Malawi Mrs. Virginia Mahata said now that they have been commissioned they have a duty to lead in praying and working for all lay people and lead all souls to heaven.

Mrs. Mahata also called for collaboration among all church groups. Differences is methods or approaches as movements or associations, should not make them lose focus on unity in saving souls.

Adding his voice, National Chaplain of the Laity, Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa urged the lay leaders to embrace everyone and work hard towards salvation of every soul.

Fr. Mwakhwawa further thanked the Sisters of Peter Clever of Italy who provided part of the funding for the implementation of the program whose main objective is to form the Laity Council, build capacity of the lay people that they should live missionary life wherever they are. Such formation of the lay people is a way of implementing the Vatican Council II teachings on Lay Apostolate.