Young Priests in Malawi Lauded for Fostering Church’s Mission in Contemporary Society amid Technological Advancement

Karonga, 12 September, 2025 / 9:03 PM

The President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has commended young Priests in the Southern African nation for all they do to “enrich the mission” amid technological advancements and the related challenges.

In his address at the opening of the September 8–12 training session for newly-ordained Priests at St. Anthony Kachebere Major Seminary, Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka thanked participants for the “unique gifts” they bring to their respective Dioceses and apostolates.

“You are energetic, adaptable to new situations, and well-acquainted with the use of technology—qualities that enrich the mission of the Church in today’s world,” the Local Ordinary of Malawi’s Karonga Diocese said at the event that brought together Priests who have been in the Priesthood for less than five years.

Organized by the Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis (Pastoral Commission) of the MCCB, the event brought together 67 Diocesan young Priests from all eight Dioceses in Malawi for a week of formation, reflection, and fraternity.

In his address, Bishop Mtumbuka said that the purpose of the five-day event was “not to accuse or to find fault, but rather to help us all rediscover and correct any drift that may have crept into our Priestly ministry.”

“Before you became a Priest, you were attracted to a certain image of a good Priest,” the MCCB president said, and posed, “In the midst of a changing world, are we still faithful to the inspiring examples of holiness and zeal that first shaped our vocation?”

The 67-year-old Local Ordinary of Karonga Diocese, who has been at the helm of the Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in November 2010, reminded the young Priests of the challenges in the contemporary world, cautioning them against relying on their own strength.

“On our own, we are fragile and vulnerable. It is only when we rely entirely on God that our ministry finds meaning and power,” he said, and added, “This is why prayer must remain at the very heart of our priestly life. Without prayer, we cannot remain faithful; with prayer, we remain rooted in God who sustains us.”

Speaking at the same event, the Bishop chairman of the Pastoral Commission of MCCB said, “Let us make the most of this time together, using it fruitfully as an opportunity for honest reflection, renewal, learning, and mutual support.”

“The topics we will engage with during this session are designed to strengthen us in our Priestly ministry,” Bishop Alfred Mateyu Chaima of the country’s Zomba Catholic Diocese said in his  September 8 address.

Bishop Chaima added, “I am confident that by the end of our time together, we will not be the same—we will be renewed and better equipped to live our vocation with greater depth and commitment.”

The Local Ordinary of Zomba Diocese, since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2023, explained that “Priesthood is a lifelong journey that needs constant nourishment in prayer, fraternity, and pastoral creativity.”

“May this session help us to grow in these essential dimensions, so that we may continue to serve God’s people with renewed zeal, joy, and faithfulness,” he implored.

In a note shared with ACI Africa on Thursday, September 11, the MCCB National Pastoral Coordinator said the session, facilitated by Bishops, senior Clergy, and the Laity, enabled participants to share personal experiences of both joy and challenge in their early ministry.  

Fr. Joseph Sikwese says in the note that many of the participants described the training as a “moment of grace” that strengthened their priestly identity and commitment to the Church’s mission.

“This initiative forms part of MCCB’s broader pastoral strategy to ensure that priests remain rooted in their vocation and prepared to face the evolving challenges of evangelization in today’s world,” Fr. Sikwese says.