The long-awaited golden jubilee celebration was marked at the St. Peter’s Cathedral on November 5.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Joseph Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese who is also the Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
The Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Malawi was erected on 18th May, 1947. It was a division of the Vicariate Apostolic of Malawi. On March 3rd 1961, the Prefecture was raised to the status of a Diocese
In his speech, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, current Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, commended Bishop Zuza for strong pastoral initiatives to serve the people in the region and especially for his timeless in priesthood pastoral work. He said, Monsignor Zuza has been a shepherd since 1995.
Archbishop Nicola said the Diocese has been very well managed and organized. He thanked Zuza for the help and concern shown in the establishment of the new Diocese of Karonga. He said the celebration of the golden jubilee was a witness of accomplishment and growth of the Catholic Church in Mzuzu Diocese and the Catholic Church in Malawi.
The Nuncio urged the Catholic Community especially the laity to always remain united to the Church . . . It is unity that can make us grow more in this country.
“… Sometimes when we see things not going very well or according to our expectations the temptation is to leave our Church. Sometimes even within our communities, our parishes and dioceses we face difficulties but we need to be very hopeful,” he said.
Pope Benedict XVI message was conveyed to the Church in Northern region by the Papal Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia His Excellency, Nicola Girassoli. It was read by the Charge’D’affairs to Malawi Monsignor Hubertus Van Megen.
During the function the Chairman for ECM, Bishop Joseph Zuza officially announced the hosting of the 18th AMECEA Plenary in 2014 to be held in Malawi. He asked the congregation to work together to ensure that the 2014 Plenary be successful, honorable and also memorable. The Catholic Secretariat will spearhead the preparatory work for the event.
Present at the function were the Papal Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia His Excellency, Nicola Girassoli, all the Bishops of Malawi, Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata Benjamin Phiri (Zambia), Charge’D’affairs to Malawi Monsignor Hubertus Van Megen and Bishop Fanuel Magangani (Anglican).
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