MALAWI: President Chakwera Applauds Catholic Bishops

Luke Bisani

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has applauded the Catholic Bishops in the country for providing checks and balances on matters affecting the people of the country.

Speaking on Saturday last week at the consecration of Right Reverend Alfred Mateyo Chaima of the Diocese of Zomba, Chakwera disclosed that he has engaged the bishops more than six times for discussion on matters affecting the public.

“I would like to thank the bishops for the working relationship. You offer words of wisdom and encouragement, and you really show that you are servants of people,” said President Chakwera.

He further explained that the Catholic bishops are mature and have discipline that he admires when the president engages them for advice.

Chakwera then congratulated the new bishop for accepting the call to serve the people of the diocese of Zomba.

The Malawi leader also applauded Pope Francis for taking good care of the flock in Malawi by appointing Bishop Chaima as their servant among them.

For many years, the Catholic bishops have taken on an advisory role to the senior government officers, including the presidents, on matters affecting the general public.

The bishops have shared their role as advisors to the government through contact, dialogue, and pastoral letters.

Born on July 14, 1970, Bishop Chaima is the sixth bishop in the diocese of Zomba, and he takes over the leadership from Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, who was transferred to the Archdiocese of Lilongwe over a year ago.

He was ordained a Catholic priest on January 19, 1998, by the late Archbishop James Chiona of the Archdiocese of Blantyre.