MALAWI: Bishop Emeritus of Mangochi Urges Parents to Help Children Discover their Vocation
Christopher Banda
Bishop Emeritus of Mangochi Diocese in Malawi Alessandro Pagan says children cannot discover their vocation if parents have no desire to educate and help them love prayer life.
Speaking during the ordination of six priests and one deacon at St Anne’s Cathedral on Saturday 6th August 2022, Bishop Pagan said the church begins at household level, and so, families need to find time to pray together, with parents helping the children to love prayer life.
Expressing gratitude in ordaining the 6 priests in the Diocese of Chipata where he once served as a missionary under the congregation of Montfort Missionaries, Bishop Pagan challenged the Christians to support priests and encourage them not to lose focus despite priesthood challenges.
Six priests and one deacon were ordained by the retired Bishop of Mangochi Rt. Rev. Bishop Alessandro Pagan in the absence of Chipata Diocese’s Bishop Rt. Rev. George Lungu.
Speaking at the same occasion, Chipata Diocese’s Vicar General Fr Dennis Punthambuyo Phiri said the Church does not only need priests but good priests.
“Congratulations to the newly ordained deacon and priests, the Church needs not only priests but good priests. We are humbly asking you that the fire which has been ignited today may keep burning for a long time to come. For the fire to keep burning, there are several things we need to do such as to add more firewood; that should be your prayer life that will keep your fire burning,” Fr Phiri said.
At the same occasion, the Eastern Province Minister Hon Peter Phiri urged the Church to remain the conscience of society while the government drives development in society.
“The driver cannot discharge his duties competently if the consciousness is not listened to. The government had and will always endeavor to listen to the concerns expressed by the Church as it is its conscience. The new dawn government therefore will always treat the Church as its partner in development and appreciate and support the church in its vital role of being the conscience of society,” he said.
The Provincial Minister also assured the faithful that Zambia government will continue to promote dialogue with the Church to ensure that there is an amicable exchange of views which must provide solutions to the problems that people face in the nation.
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