By Martin Mlelemba, Archdiocese of Blantyre’s communications department member
Thousands of Catholic faith from all the dioceses in Malawi including the Pope’s envoy to Malawi and Zambia His Excellency Apostolic Nuncio Arch bishop Julio Murat, Malawi’s President Joyce Banda including cabinet ministers gathered this morning at the events marker for the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Limbe Cathedral to witness the installation of his Lordship bishop Thomas Luke Msusa, formerly bishop of Zomba Diocese in the Eastern part of Malawi, following his appointment by the holy father Pope Benedict to head the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
Earlier last year, the Vatican transferred archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye, who was serving as head of Blantyre archdiocese, to head the newly launched Archdiocese of Lilongwe, following the retirement of archbishop for Remi stan-marie.
Born Thomas Luke Msusa in the Eastern part of Malawi, a Muslim dominated district, called Mangochi on February 02nd , 1962. He received sacrament of confirmation on the 10th August 1975 at a near by parish, Our Lady of Lourdes- Namwera Parish.
The newly installed Archbishop did his primary education at Masongola School and later at Holy Cross Preparatory seminary in the same Eastern part of Malawi District. He later joined Nankhunda seminary in 1981 up to 1985 in the Diocese of Zomba, which he later served as Bishop.
He accomplished the Philosophical studies at the Queen of the Apostles Inter-Congregational Seminary at Balaka in the Diocese of Mangochi, in the Eastern part of Malawi from 9th October 1986 up to 30th June, 1989.During his Philosophical studies he underwent a postulant spiritual formation at Inter- congregational Seminary in Balaka, Malawi later he entered the Novitiate in Mbarara(Uganda) and on August 01st 1990 he made a first profession in the congregation of Montifort Missionaries.
He received the ministry of Reader on January 11th and later on April17th he also received the ministry of Acolyte in Nairobi Kenya.
From the years of 1991-1994 he obtained Bachelors of Arts Degree in Theology at Hekima College at Catholic University of Eastern Africa(CUEA) in Kenya, he finished his Licentiate (Master’s Degree) in pastoral Theology at the same college and later followed a formator’s course in Italy and France from the years of 1998 and 1999.
Archbishop Msusa, made his final profession on January 06th 1996, at Limbe cathedral, the same Archdiocese he is now heading , and was later ordained priest on August 03rd at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Mangochi, by late Bishop Alessandro Asolari.
Archbishop Msusa served in different positions including being one of the Counselors of the Montifort Missionaries’ Genral Delegation of Africa, deputy Novice Master in Mbarara (Uganda), superior, Formator and bursar of the Montifort Scholasticate in Nairobi and finally on the noon hours of January 17th 2004, Blessed Pope John Paul II appointed him to be bishop of the catholic diocese of Zomba.
While serving as the bishop of Zomba, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the Apostolic administrator of Mangochi until May 2007 when Bishop Allessandro Pagan (emitus) became the new Bishop of the Diocese.
His installation on February 8th 2014 as Archbishop of Blantyre marks him to be the fourth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
Speaking during the function, outgoing Diocesan administrator, now bishop elect for Mangochi , Montifort Stima, thanked newly Archbishop for being appointed to serve in lord in the Archdiocese.
“Am happy today that am now leaving the archdiocese in the safe hands, continue being a good Shepard” he said.
According to Stima Blantyre Archdiocese has a total number of Christians over 1million from 5 districts, with 40 parishes and 74 priests.