MALAWI: Catholic Women Organization Commended at Its 50th Anniversary
Sam Kalimba
The Church in Malawi has commended the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) for unwavering dedication and loyalty displayed in 50 years of existence during the opening ceremony of the 2022 National Conference that took place at Likuni Girls Secondary School in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 15 December, during which the CWO also lit a Jubilee candle marking the launch of a one-year celebration.
Both the President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala who is the prelate of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Bishop Chairman for the Pastoral Commission of the Conference Rt. Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka the local Ordinary for the Catholic Diocese of Karonga recognized the role the Catholic Women play in the country.
Archbishop Tambala said that women in their individual capacity as well as through their mother body CWO have stood strong as pillars of the Church.
“When we meet with my fellow Bishops as a Conference, we speak of how you women support and protect the Church. Continue, for we are always proud of you,” he said.
He said these remarks during homily where he also preached to the theme of the 43rd Annual General Conference, ‘Women are called to be holy in a synodal Church’. The prelate of Lilongwe said that what is found in the book of Genesis is practically being lived by many.
“Man is still running away from God today as Adam and Eve did. Both men and women do not like attending church services because of sin. They run away from being asked by God where they are. It is therefore the duty of you women to create a new world that will not run away from God by training your children the love of God at a tender age. The model of Mary mother of God should be your standard all the time. When Eve brought sin, it took another woman to bring salvation. Be that woman that brings salvation to all. Desist from being used by other forces to destroy the kingdom of God,” said Archbishop Tambala.
The ECM President also urged the congregation to avoid being taken up by unfounded freedoms saying these do not build nations but rather it is only God who can.
“With freedoms many are denying the truth just as Eve did. Don’t we see men and women going wrong but end up refuting being as such? May you not be like them. When you go wrong be there to accept and repent,” he said.
He also urged Catholic priests to accept that they are human beings and that erring is inevitable. To them he asked them to be able accept where they have gone wrong and apologize to the offended be it Christians or fellow clergy.
On his part, Bishop Mtumbuka thanked the women for, he said they participate in all Church activities in their large numbers and that despite that the majority of them are in small scale farming or businesses, they generously give to the Church. For this reason, he pledged continued support from the Bishops’ Conference.
“To show our commitment, we ask you to collaborate with ECM’s Pastoral Commission on two concepts: the first one be on Christian families, modeled on the Holy Family, founded on the Sacrament of Marriage and nourished by the holy Eucharist; and the second one should be on the spirituality of CWO. Let them be presented before the January plenary of Bishops and you the Commission’s support,” he told the meeting.
He encouraged Organization to ensure that its members regularize their marriage status if they are outside the Sacraments. He said that all the bishops and priest are at pains when they see devoted Christians not being in good standing with the Church. He since asked the women in this category to ensure meeting their respective Judicial Vicars so that they reconcile with the Church as soon as possible.
He also advised the women to conduct research on the levels of the suffering of destitute in the country that would guide the January 2023 Bishops’ Plenary. In the same line, he asked the women to search for good leaders all the time by not considering how they look, how they speak and how their statures are. He discouraged them from voting for thieves and plunders in government positions.
Bishop Mtumbuka reiterated the point raised earlier by Archbishop Tambala about some priests who have the tendency to obstruct the lay faithful who have good intentions at the parishes.
“Parishes are not a personal entity. I am speaking in my capacity as in charge of Pastoral work at the Conference,” said the Bishop Chair.
Bishop Mtumbuka then turned to Catholic Men Organization (CMO) leadership, urging the membership of the organization to become active participants in small Christian communities.
“I know Catholic Men have started their path to participation in the Church through an organized grouping and I hear you are coming up with your Constitution for consideration in our next plenary. We your Bishops want to see men attending meetings the small Christian community meetings. We cannot pass a resolution in support of a group of imbibers who meet for their personal interests. You must improve as soon as possible so that we recommend what is tangible,” he told the gathering.
Also in attendance was a visiting bishop Rt. Rev. Diamantino Guapo Antunei prelate for the Catholic Diocese of Tete in in the Ecclesiastical Province of Beira in Mozambique and his Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Vital Adriano Conala. The visiting Bishop said he was on a familiarization tour as his diocese borders three of the eight dioceses of in Malawi. He said Diocese of Tete borders the Diocese of Chikwawa and Archdiocese of Blantyre in the Ecclesiastical Province of Blantyre and Archdiocese of Lilongwe itself.
Also in attendance was Honourable Justice Gloria Alinafe Namonde as Guest Speaker. She is the Chairlady for CWO St Padre Pio Church under St. Andrew Kaggwa Parish and Vice Chairlady for CWO, at St. Andrew Kaggwa parish of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. She also is a holy childhood teacher her Church. Justice Namonde also takes part in readings at her church.
Being appointed Judge of the High Court of Malawi in February, 2022 and that is now working for the newly established Commercial Division of the High Court in Lilongwe, she was the right candidate for her role as Guest Speaker on the day.
National Chairlady for the Catholic Women Organization Mrs. Doreen Banda Zimba thanked the first cohort of 1972 for the visionary leadership and thanked Church that provided support for its establishment through late Archbishop James Chiona and the then Parish Priest for St. Pius Parish (Blantyre) who is now Bishop Emeritus of Diocese of Zomba in Ecclesiastical Province of Blantyre, Rt. Rev. Allan Chamgwera.
The climax of the 50th Anniversary will be in December 2023 in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu in the Ecclesiastical Province of Lilongwe.
