BY: Rev Fr. Francis Damaseke
The Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi His Exellency, Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone bid farewell to Malawi during a Eucharistic celebration of investiture of the Holy Pallium to Archbishop George Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe at Maula Cathedral, on Saturday 28th January, 2023.
In his farewell speech the Archbishop Gallone said “When I paid a visit to the Holy Father Pope Francis last December, 2022, He asked me to relocate to Uruguay, I expressed shock and surprise at the same time as most of my predecessors stayed six, eight and others ten years, I thought I would stay longer but life of a priest is like of Abraham, you leave your people and go to a land you know not and count on God’s mercy.”
Gallone further expressed gratitude to the people of Malawi for a warm welcome in 2019 and shared fond memories of his service to Malawi. “During my tenure I visIted all dioceses of Malawi except Chikwawa. I have liked your faith which is strong and I pray it keeps growing.”
Gallone also expressed words of advice to Archbishop Tambala, by stressing the need to work tirelessly for the growth of the local Church. He said “Don’t work like politicians who most often don’t finish what they start. Life is like a seed, others plant, others water the plants, yet others will harvest.”
Archbishop Gallone is Italian and before serving Malawi and Zambia he had served as Secretary to the Nuncio in Mozambique.
Commenting to Archbishop Thomas Msusa’s homily during the Eucharistic celebration, Gallone particularly pinpointed that “It is not enough to smell like a sheep, after intense prayer a shepherd must share the smell of Jesus to the flock. You must share the joys and sorrows of your people but above all show them the light of Jesus. You must be the voice of the eternal shepherd”. Drawing lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas, who would go and insert his head in the tabernacle telling Jesus help me to understand issues, he advised that should be the kind of prayer for all of us to Jesus.
He concluded his speech by admonishing the laity in general that life of a Christian is a struggle as such they must also struggle to maintain their faith and authenticity. He further challenged those who practice Syncretism (double standard faith) to be faithful to Christ alone. “As I bow out, I ask you to pray for me, that I should one day come back to Malawi as a Pilgrim and pray with you.” Said Gallone
In his remark, the Vicar General of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Monsignor Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa thanked the Apostolic Nuncio for his fatherly care he gave to the Church of Malawi and his listening spirit which made him approachable.