ECM’s Pastoral Commission engages Parish Priests in ongoing formation as key Agents of Evangelization

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi, through its Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis (Pastoral Commission), has initiated ongoing formation sessions for parish priests. The first session, officially opened by Msgr. Lorent Dziko is taking place in the Diocese of Karonga and is attended by all 17 parish priests from the diocese.

These sessions aim to enhance evangelization in Malawi by revitalizing the commitment of parish priests to this mission and strengthening their leadership and administrative skills in pastoral ministry.

In his opening remarks, the National Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Joseph Sikwese, quoted an apostolic exhortation by Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, no. 14, stating that the Church’s primary mission is evangelization. He emphasized that parish priests, as their parishes’ administrators, are essential in carrying out the Church’s mission. “Therefore, all your parish programs, initiatives, and endeavors must be guided by the understanding that the primary mission of the Church, the parish, and small Christian communities is evangelization. Every parish activity must support this mission,” said Fr. Sikwese.

The sessions are being facilitated by Msgr. Henry Chinkanda, Fr. Peter Mulomole, Fr. George Buleya, Fr. David Niwagaba, Fr. Christopher Sichinga, Fr. Maxwel Mkwezalamba, Fr. Joseph Sikwese, and Bro. Rueben Nazombe. Topics covered in the training include the role of parish priests in evangelization, best practices in parish administration, pastoral collaboration, children’s and youth ministry, devotions within parish life, social issues affecting the parish, including the 2025 general elections, care for the environment, and the Jubilee 2025.

These sessions are meant to be in all the 8 dioceses in Malawi. After the sessions in Karonga, the next destination will be the Diocese of Mzuzu, then the Archdiocese of  Lilongwe, the Diocese of Dedza, the Diocese of Chikwawa, the Archdiocese of Blantyre, the Diocese of Zomba, and finally Diocese of Mangochi.

 

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