Malawi Leader President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and Madam Monica Chakwera on Saturday attended the consecration of Father Alfred Chaima as Bishop of the Zomba Diocese of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Chaima has been appointed by Pope Francis to fill the position which has been vacant for the past two years.
Also in attendance was the country’s Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and other top government officials.
The occasion began with a mass with a huge Catholic following from Zomba and across the country.
Speaking during the function, Chakwera hailed Episcopal Conference of Malawi for the growth of the church.
Said the President: “I also congratulate the Episcopal Conference of Malawi for the growth of its college of Bishops to eight members, matching the number of Dioceses that make up the whole Conference.
“Not only is this an encouraging signal of the vigilance of His Holiness the Pope in the care of the flock in Malawi, but it is ultimately a testament to the watchful eye that the Lord Jesus Christ keeps on the welfare of the Bride he loves and intercedes for night and day.”
The President called on all believing Malawians to pray
for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, to pray for the
successful and faithful discharge of its priestly ministry to the Church and its prophetic ministry to the Nation.
“I believe that the Ministry of God’s servants in our land is a major subsidy of grace upon our nation. Your Lordship Bishop Chaima, as the newest member one of the Conference, one of the crowning blessings,” he said.
The function was preceeded by the Eucharistic celebration which was attended by the State President and his Vice, all Catholic Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Bishop Gabriel Msipu from Zambia, the Vey Rev. Msgr Abel Toglo the secretary to the apostolic Nuncio for Malawi and Zambia, AMECEA secretary General Very Rev. Anthony Makunde, and many other high-profile figures
Pope Francis appointed Fr Alfred Chaima as bishop of Zomba on 5th June 2023, after the seat fall vacant on 15th October 2021 when Pope Francis appointed the then Bishop George Tambala as the Archbishop of Lilongwe Archdiocese.
After consecration, he will take Canonical possession of the Diocese, Bishop Chaima has chosen Tantum Servi Sumus ( We are only Servants ) as his Episcopal Motto.