MALAWI: Priest’s Father Crowned Chief in Moslem Community
Rev. Fr. John Mangwele with his parents before the coronation
Sam Kalimba
Recounting how the Church in Africa during the second synod on Africa, held in October 2009, reflected on the theme: “The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace in order to guide the future,” it was exciting to observe co-existence during the coronation of a one Mr. Aloisius Mzalule Mangwele, the father to Rev. Fr. John Mangwele a member of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate commonly referred to us the Pallotines to a Group Village Headman Binali (a person appointed to be a group village headman). This took place on Saturday, 7 October 2023 in Salima.
Born a Moslem, Mr. Mangwele moved from a lake district of Salima some 120 kilometers East of Lilongwe, Malawi, following education opportunities and landed at one of the Catholic schools in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe where he was converted to Catholicism. He got baptised in 1961 but his family back home remained Moslem.
The coronation was preceded by Mass that was celebrated by Rev. Fr. John Mangwele who advised his father that God has chosen to share with him the responsibility of looking after His people.
“Therefore, you should model your leadership after Christ the King, whose kingship is that of service and not to be served. You should show no partiality and be just to all under your authority as it said ‘that they may all be one’ (Jn 17:21),” Fr. John said.
After Mass, there were cultural celebrations that brought both Catholics and Moslems together.
During speeches, a young brother to the crowned chief who is also a religious leader Sheik Mponda Mzalule encouraged village headmen under this jurisdiction most of whom are Moslems to work with the new leader in development and matters of unity.
Mr. Mangwele became a village headman Binali in 2006, before being elevated to his new role. He lives in the City of Lilongwe while his young brother takes care of the daily duties of a chief.
Fr. John was ordained a Pallotine Priest in 2013 in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. End.
