The Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), His Grace Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese has commended the Catholic laity in Malawi for supporting the Church through various initiatives, which are well organized and patronized at the same time. Archbishop Msusa was speaking at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) last Friday (April 24, 2015) during a fundraising dinner and dance for Kachebere Major Seminary which celebrates its Platinum Jubilee (75 years) this year, 2015.
“On behalf of my fellow Bishops and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to thank you all for supporting the Church in various ways. I would like to particularly thank the laity and more especially those from Lilongwe for fundraising initiatives which you have been conducting and have proven to be successful at the end of the day,” he said while referring to other successful activities that led to a successful AMECEA Plenary of 2014, and the Kachebere Major Seminary’s fundraising dinner and dance.
Archbishop Msusa said Malawi managed to host a successful and historical AMECEA Plenary last year because there was proper collaboration between all stakeholders including the laity hence a challenge for a continued support to the Church-more particularly during this year’s Platinum Jubilee for Kachebere Seminary.
The Missionaries who used to assist the local Church all along built the Seminary way back in 1939. “But time has come that the Church in Malawi should take full responsibility in supporting the only Philosophical College of the Catholic Church in the country”, said he.
Speaking at the same function, His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga diocese and also Chairman for Seminaries at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi said Kachebere Major Seminary, which is also known as St. Anthony Seminary, is facing numerous challenges ranging from renovations to the school’s structures, seminarian’s welfare among others.
Bishop Mtumbuka was however quick to warn the Seminarians of not taking for granted every single assistance that the Catholic Church through it laity renders to the Seminary.
“I would like to warn you Seminarians never to take the support from the faithful and people of goodwill for granted. It’s high time you became serious with your vocation. The laity out there would not want to have priests who are irresponsible when you finish up your studies,” Bishop Mtumbuka warned as he faced the representatives of Seminarians who witnessed the dinner and dance event.
Mr Peter Kulemeka, Chairperson for the organizing committee of the event, said the event was a success and projected that the money that would be realized at that particular day would be far much more that the money raised during all other fundraising events that his committee has organized, as he acknowledged the massive support this time around.
He commended individuals and companies like Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL), Nation Publications Limited (NPL), Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), and Catholic Media Houses that includes; Radio Maria, Radio Tigabane, Tuntufye Radio and Luntha Television for supporting the event with free space and air time for adverts.
The Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Right Honorable Saulos Chilima came as a Catholic Christian and also made a contribution by donating in cash and kind. His Grace Archbishop Msusa announced that a certain family from Blantyre, which did not disclose their name, also donated a sum of K1 Million towards the event.
Other notable faces that attended the event included Minister of Gender, Children, Social Welfare and Disability, Hon. Patricia Kaliati; Minister of Sports and Culture, Hon. Grace Chiumia and Principal Secretary for Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood, Chimwemwe Chipungu. Also available at the event were all the Bishops in Malawi.
Live performance of Kalimba Band and Kachebere Seminary’s Choir spiced up the event with songs.
