In a show of unity of purpose, Bishops of the Catholic Church in Malawi were in Zambia at the weekend (11 February,2023) to witness the consecration of Fr. Gabriel Msipu Phiri as Auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Chipata at St. Anne’s Cathedral.
The bishops, led by the reigning President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi; Archbishop George Desmond Tambala; included his vice, bishop Montfort Stima, bishop of Mangochi Diocese, Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese Thomas Luke Msusa, bishop of Mzuzu diocese, John Ryan, bishop of Karonga Diocese Martin Anwell Mtumbuka, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese and Bishop of Dedza Diocese, Peter Adrian Chifukwa. They were also accompanied by bishop emeritus of Mangochi diocese Alexandro Pagani.
The bishops were also escorted by scores of priests and the religious (sisters and brothers) including at least 190 lay faithful; largely members of the Catholic Women’s Organization (CWO) and Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and other parts of the Conference.
In his speech after the ceremony, Bishop of Chipata, George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu, expressed gratitude for unity the Malawi Church had demonstrated in supporting the consecration by its physical presence and gifts.
President of Zambia Hakainde Hishilema also attended the ceremony as did most of the bishops of the Zambian Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) led by Archbishop Ignatius Chama the chair person and bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu of Chipata.
This is the first time in recent times that such a large number of Catholics from Malawi cross the borders into any of her neighboring countries of Tanzania to the North, Zambia to the East and Mozambique.
There is increasing exclusive regional collaboration among bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (formally the Rhodesia and Nyasaland) in what is planned to culminate into a regional Catholic body.
Pope Francis on 10th December, 2022 appointed Fr. Phiri as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata. He has chosen ” To serve and not to be served” as his Episcopal Motto.
Until this appointment, Fr. Phiri was serving as Manager for Diocesan Income Generating Activities of Chipata Diocese.He was born on 13th December 1964 in Chipata Diocese. He was ordained priest on 15th September 1991.
Among others, he worked as Curate and later on Parish Priest at Chadiza Catholic Parish, Parish Priest for Mchini Sub-Parish and Mbwindi Catholic Parish, Diocesan Vicar General, Diocesan Treasurer General and Human Resources Officer, Parish Priest of St. Atanazio (Mchini) Catholic Parish, Dean for St. Anne’s Cathedral – Chipata Diocese, Parish Priest for Mary Mother of God Parish and ZCCB Finance and Administration Manager at the Catholic Secretariat in Lusaka.
