Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - “The new diocese is an act of pastoral courage, because it consists of only five missions scattered over the mountains that rise along the north bend of Lake Malawi. The diocese is located at the very north of the Country, where Malawi borders with Tanzania to the east and Zambia to the west.” Fr Piergiorgio Gamba, Monfort missionary, discussed with Fides, the newly formed Diocese of Karonga, Malawi (see Fides 21/7/2010). “This is a vast territory with a population less numerous than in the south of Malawi. For years it was part of the diocese of Mzuzu responsible for the evangelization of the various northern tribes who speak a myriad of languages among which the most famous is Chitumbuka.
On 20 November there was the Liturgy of Consecration for Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of Karonga. “The celebration was attended by thousands of faithful who came also from Tanzania and Zambia. From more than six hundred kilometres from the capital Lilongwe, came all the Bishops of Malawi,” said Fr Gamba. “The Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Nicola Girasoli presided over the Liturgy of Consecration, together with the Bishops of Malawi and Archbishop Tarcicius Ziyaye of Blantyre. The welcome greeting was made by the Bishop of Mzuzu in English, Chitumbuka and Chichewa to make all participants of the ceremony.”
The task is challenging for Bishop Mtumbuka because the new diocese has different needs, exacerbated by the damage caused by the earthquake of December 2009 that hit the area of Karonga. “In addition to the Bishop, there are nine priests and diverse religious communities of sisters and brothers very concerned with education and health care. It is a diocese that is starting from what might be called Ground Zero. The church that should become the cathedral is still unusable after the earthquake that caused much damage and loss of life. “Everything remains to be rebuilt”, said Fr Gamba. But that does not dim the enthusiasm of the missionary, who sees in the creation of the new diocese a message of hope and renewal for the African Church: “The Church in Africa is becoming an adult, and issuing a strong message to the entire Christian community”. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2010)
