By Fr. Johnston Mlambo
Bishops from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have convened in Salima, within the Lilongwe Diocese, for their second sub-region consultative meeting. Themed “The Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe Collaborating to Enhance Pastoral Unity, Gospel Proclamation, and Solidarity in the Sub-Region Amidst Shared Challenges,” the meeting aims to strengthen ties and address common issues.
The gathering, which began on the 15th of this month, concludes today.
Yesterday’s proceedings started with Mass, followed by breakfast. The presidents of the bishops’ conferences of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe then delivered opening remarks. This was followed by speeches from a representative of the Malawian government and the Papal Nuncio to Malawi.
After a health break, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima presented on the meeting’s theme, which was followed by a plenary session. The afternoon featured presentations on two critical draft documents: the Statutes of the Sub-Region Conference and the Operational Structure of the Sub-Region Conference. Today commenced with Mass celebrated by His Lordship, Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro of Gweru. In his homily, he exhorted his fellow bishops to implement the discussions from the meeting, resonating with the day’s first reading, which says, “Awake and sing for joy.”
“We want to sing for joy, for we have come together as brother bishops to share our problems, to share the pastoral concerns of our people. So let us ask our Mother Mary to intercede for us as we consecrate our sub-region to her so that she continues to intercede for us,” said Bishop Nyandoro.
He went on to emphasise that the Gospel encourages them to give all their burdens to the Lord to ease their pastoral work. He thanked the bishops for their commitment to the consultative meeting.
At the end of the Mass, all participants stood and recited the prayer of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, officially consecrating the Sub-Region of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to her.
The Apostolic Nuncio of Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Archbishop Gian Luca Perici, in his address on the first day of the meeting, invited the participants to consecrate the Sub-Region of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Today’s agenda included opening remarks and a recap of yesterday’s deliberations, followed by a presentation on the Finance Document of the Sub-Region of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe by Rev. Frs. Vitalis Gotami and Joseph Sigwese.
That was followed by resolutions and discussions on the way forward.
The day concluded with the reading of the final communiqué, a vote of thanks, remarks from the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, and a closing prayer from Fr. Tryvis Moyo, the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The delegates are scheduled to depart tomorrow.
