My Lord Bishop Elect,
On behalf of the President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, who is out of the country at the moment for official duties as the President of the ECM, and on my own behalf, and indeed on behalf of the entire Catholic Church in Malawi, I wish to most sincerely congratulate you on your appointment as the Bishop of the Diocese of Zomba. This appointment reflects the trust of the The Holy Father has in you and ultimately the love of God for you and his trust that you can shepherd his flock of Zomba, counting on his unfailing help and the support of the priests and religious men and women of Zomba and on certain and solid support of we your Brother Bishops.
Surely there are some joyful days ahead of you as well as agonizing weeks and months. But all these are nothing compared with what our Lord did to show us his love. All we your Brother Bishops can do, therefore, is enstrust you to the one who has placed this heavy cross on your sholders and sincerely pray that he will never let you down even if we know of nobody whom he let down.
May Mary our Mother, interceed for you that at all times you will reflect the face of his Son as you minister to her children entrusted to your pastoral care.
With most sincere prayers and best wishes,
Bishop Martin A. Mtumbuka
Vice Chairman of ECM
NB: May this short message be announced in all our media institutions.