MALAWI: Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe Ordains Two Carmelites to Priesthood

Brenard Mwanza

For the first time since his consecration on 20th January 2024, Rt. Rev. Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic archdiocese of Lilongwe has ordained two deacons to priesthood to the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD).

Speaking during the ordination mass at Our Lady of Hope Chiphaso Parish in Kasungu on Saturday, 20^th July 2024, Bishop Mwakhwawa challenged the newly ordained priests to help the Church in bringing hope to Christians amid different challenges they are facing.

He told them to know that God has sent them to help in building the Church in serving the people of God and that they must serve with zeal because they have carried a big responsibility.

“They are the source of blessings to our people. I have specifically encouraged them that they should be agents of hope to our people as there are a lot of challenges in the world that put people in despair,” Bishop Mwakhwawa stressed.

He gave an example of challenges such as poverty, sicknesses, lack of resources among others that make people lose hope, calling the new priests to bring the needed hope that things will be well again.

The auxiliary bishop further asked the new priests to encourage Christians to participate in the discussions of the synod which is now in the third wave citing its significance in pushing the Church agenda forward.

The newly ordained priests are Fr. Blessings Siliya and Fr. Selso Magwaza. On his part, Fr. Mwagwaza thanked God for the calling, and he has pledged to serve Him and the Church with dedication.

Fr. Magwaza will be serving at Balaka Formation house for the Order of Discalced Carmelites while Fr. Siliya will be serving at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kapiri Parish in Mchinji.

The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe Most Reverend George Desmond Tambala and other priests from the Archdiocese and more.

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