MALAWI: Catholic Women Organization Malawi Celebrates Golden Jubilee
ECM President Interacts with CWO Members
Stella Zulu
The Catholic Women Organization (CWO) in Malawi has commemorated 50 years of existence on Saturday the 22nd of July 2023, at a ceremony that begun with a Eucharist celebration.
The celebration took place at CIVO Stadium in Lilongwe which was filled to the brim by CWO members from all Catholic dioceses in the country. The historic celebration was also attended by some members who were there when the organization begun in 1972 led by Fr. Allan Chamgwera, now bishop emeritus of Zomba diocese, at St. Pius Parish in the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
Professor Ngeyi Kanyongolo, who was guest of honour but is also a member of CWO said the women are grateful to God for the CWO founders who responded positively to the Church’s call after the Second Vatican Council for the laity to bring women together in that manner.
“As we look forward with hope and determination,” she said “we need to ask ourselves crucial questions as to whether we are really growing or retarding spiritually. Can we really say we have grown in synodality? Are we embracing everyone on this journey of faith or we are leaving others behind?”
Quoting Pope Francis, she reminded women that they form the fabric of the Church as they support each other and practice transparency among themselves especially at every leadership level.
Professor Kanyongolo also highlighted the need for women empowerment within and outside the Church for the establishment of a generation that is able to combat poverty and spur development.
In his remarks, His Lordship Bishop Martin Anwell Mtumbuka who is the bishop chairman for Pastoral Commission at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) challenged CWO members to emulate the women of the Bible who questioned one another as to who would remove the stone at the tomb of Jesus.
“As a nation, we are facing the stone of poverty which is enhanced by leadership issues. As we advance to 2025 elections, we need you women to step up, taking a leading role to fight this stone of poverty,” said Bishop Mtumbuka
Turning to liturgy, Bishop Mtumbuka warned the laity at large, women in particular, against changing the approach to Mass.
“The Mass is not entertainment. We must come to mass to pray not to joke and entertain ourselves. We must thoroughly be prepared and dispose ourselves in such a way that we are in the presence of God”.
On his part, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, said ECM will always support the women in the Church. He said ECM is working to produce a handbook guide on the spirituality of both the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and CWO.
Catholic Women Organization of Mozambique and Tanzania was also present led by Evaline Ntenga who is World Union of Catholic Organization, Africa region president.
