Cardinal Filoni winds up Malawi visit heads to Zambia.

Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Fernando Filoni has concluded his visit to Malawi during which period he consecrated the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the worker on Saturday. Cardinal Filoni who was in the Diocese of Karonga as a special envoy of Pope Francis spoke of his joy at the growth of the Church in the new diocese. 

“Today we conclude the initial phase in the development of this young Diocese, which started just six years ago with its creation and the naming of its first Diocesan Bishop, all in response to the steady growth of the Church in this part of Malawi. I am happy to see that, since then, growth has continued, particularly in the number of baptisms and seminarians. This is the result of your dedication to the work of evangelization and your care for the youth and the poor," the Cardinal said. 

President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese used the occasion to clarify the Church’s position with regard to the “Termination of Pregnancy Bill” being advocated by Abortion rights activists in Malawi who have the support of some international organisations. Archbishop Msusa told the gathering that the Catholic Church does not support the Bill. He said the Church respects the sanctity of life in the womb.  He has since challenged the Catholic faithful to stand firm against those advocating for the abortion bill.

Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Claus Chilima, who attended the Karonga Diocese consecration on behalf of the Government commended the Bishop of Karonga Diocese, Martin Mtumbuka, for achieving remarkable development within a short period since the diocese was established. This is according to Nyasa Times Online of Malawi.

The Malawi Vice President assured the people of Malawi that the government was committed to the freedom of worship and association as this was a constitutional right of Malawians.

On Monday, in Lilongwe, before his departure to visit the Church in Zambia, Cardinal Filoni celebrated Mass at the Poor Clare’s Monastery in Lilongwe. The Cardinal thanked the cloistered nuns for their dedication and self-giving.

“My dear sisters, it is good to be with you today as together we seek the merciful face of God. I once again thank you, using the very words of our Holy Father (Pope Francis), for ‘without you what would the Church be like … The Church greatly esteems your life of complete self-giving. The Church counts on your prayers and on your self-sacrifice to bring today’s men and women to the good news of the Gospel. The Church needs you!’  May Mary, humble and faithful disciple, most caring Mother, Saint Clare and the African Saints be ever at your side encouraging you never to stop joyfully seeking God’s face. God bless you!,” Cardinal Filoni told the nuns. 

Cardinal Filoni is Monday evening expected to address the Zambian Catholic Bishops who are gathered in the capital Lusaka for their November Plenary meeting. 

(Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va)