MALAWI: Monsignor Chinkanda Applauds Ex-Seminarians for their Support in the Seminary
Participants at the National Association of Ex-Seminarians AGM with Monsignor Henry Chinkanda
Sam Kalimba
The Chaplain of the association of ex-seminarians at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Monsignor Henry Chinkanda has described members of the association as ex-seminarians of substance upon learning what they are doing in supporting their alma mater. He told the members of the association at their annual general meeting that was held on 16 November 2024 in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
“Receive heartfelt gratitude from your bishops for the work that you are doing. At a glance, one would think that your association is dead but hearing from your reports, I can assure you that you are ex-seminarians of substance. To learn that you are rehabilitating infrastructures at your former minor seminaries in your dioceses, replenishing the libraries and laboratories among others is so pleasing,” said Msgr. Chinkanda.
He further thanked the group for their leading role in mobilizing resources through the Seminary Fund that the Conference established last year.
“Vote of thanks from your bishops are for your role in supporting the shortfalls that the Conference’s major seminaries are facing. The bishops established the Seminary Fund to ensure that there is always a fallback position in case an emergency occurs at the major seminaries or the formation centers. The bishops are happy to have received a donation amounting to MK4,000,000.00 (USD2,306.78) in the last fundraising initiative led by your team. They know that the seminaries have huge gaps but still, your led initiative brought in some comfort among them. This is why they convey their utmost thanks to you and they look forward to your growth,” he said.
Edson Ngopola is the outgoing Board Chairperson of the association and called upon all ex-seminarians to take part in the activities of their diocesan alumni associations for the national association to thrive.
“You must appreciate that the national association of ex-seminarians does not have the platform to ply trade and relies on the diocesan alumni associations for actions. I urge leaders of the diocesan seminary alumnus associations to invite every member of the group to take part in the activities of the association through their diocesan-based groups. It is important to work like ants so that everyone plays a role and nobody feels the burden alone,” said Ngopola.
Apart from sharing diocesan seminary alumni association reports, the meeting also adopted an arrangement that saw Child Jesus (Nankhunda) Seminary Alumni Association taking over the Board Chairmanship from St. Pius XII Seminary Alumni Association for the next three years.
ECM boasts of two major seminaries of St. Anthony (Kachebere) and St. Peters and two formation centers of Kasina and St. Patrick’s. There are seven minor seminaries in Malawi each in seven dioceses apart from the Catholic Diocese of Karonga. Holy Ghost (Mzimu Woyera) seminary in the Diocese of Chikwawa, St. Pius Seminary in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Child Jesus (Nankhunda) Seminary in the diocese of Zomba, St. Paul the Apostle Seminary in the Diocese of Mangochi, St. Kizito Seminary in the Diocese of Dedza, St. Paul (Mlale) Seminary in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and St. Patrick Seminary in the Diocese of Mzuzu.
