MALAWI: European Delegation Tours Church Projects in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe
The European Delegation
Brenard Mwanza
A European delegation of the Catholic Church officials from Germany, Indonesia and Rome have visited Malawi’s Archdiocese of Lilongwe to inspect community transformative projects implemented by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Madisi, Dowa.
The delegation which was in Malawi from January 9th to 16th, 2025 was led by Right Reverend Matthias Konig, Auxiliary Bishop of Paderborn in Germany.
The initiatives which are supported by a Congregation in Salzkotten, Germany, aim to transform vulnerable communities, particularly through education at St. Francis Kindergarten and Primary school, that largely targets the orphans.
Speaking to the media, Bishop Konig emphasized the importance of these initiatives for the overall well-being of children.
He said, “The Sisters know very well that education is one key for a better life, and this is what they do to inspire thousands of children and youngsters to persist in school, to work hard, even all the exams, to continue and not to drop out.”
The Congregation’s administrator, Sister Klara Luers, outlined the congregation’s goal to address community needs, which resulted in the creation of educational facilities.
“I believe that our Foundress Mother Clara Pfaender, inspired us to commit ourselves more to the needs of the time when we started to build a primary school and a kindergarten for our orphans and needy children in our catchment area,” she stated.
St. Francis Primary school provides education to about 1,700 learners of which about sixty percent are orphans, while St Francis Catholic Kindergarten cares for 360 children of all denominations between 2 and 6 years.
Sister Rayneda Saragih, the administrator of St. Francis Primary School, emphasized how the delegation’s visit inspired the team and brought global attention to the challenges facing the local community.
The auxiliary bishop conveyed hope that the Germans would be ready to assist in some of the challenges that were discussed during the visit.
“I find the fact that faith and practice in Germany – Christian practice – is declining but people are still very generous and when you tell them what you have seen, what you have experienced, then they will open their heart and hopefully they will open their purse,” he added.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Kholowa, the parish priest of Our Lady of Victory, urged the project recipients to be grateful, not take the assistance for granted, and to make the best use of what is provided.
In recognition of the difficulties that most communities face with regard to food, the students are provided with oatmeal and lunch, among other things, to maintain their focus on their studies.
Twelve orphaned Standard 8 girls are provided with free boarding at a hostel named after the Foundress of the Congregation.
The three-day inspection tour succeeded the delegation’s participation in the opening of the Congregation’s new Formation House at St. Benedict Black church in Dowa on January 12th, which aims to encourage vocations among girls.
Bishop Konig and the auxiliary bishop of Lilongwe Right Reverend Vincent Mwakhwawa, concelebrated at a Holy Mass at the Poor Clare’s Monastery in Maula Cathedral to wrap up the visit.
