Malawi faces serious land problems, including land grabbing, forced evictions, and unequal
land ownership among elites and foreign investors. These issues are rooted in colonial
history and worsened by weak land governance and lack of transparency. Land grabbing
mostly affects customary land, which makes up about 70% of Malawi’s land.
Fr Benjamin Banda laid to Rest
Mzuzu- Malawi Thousands of people gathered at St Peters Cathedral and later at Katoto Cemetery to give their last respect to Father Benjamin Vitumbiko Banda who died on Wednesday 12 November 2025 afternoon during a tragic road accident along Chikangawa M1 road in Mzimba district on his way from his mother’s village Embangweni , in the same district.
Fr Banda`s Requiem mass was held on 15 November 2025 at St Peter’s Cathedral following the vigil mass on 14th November 2025. Speaking to the mourners, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, said the Diocese has lost a young, energetic and dedicated priest.
“His death has shocked many and broken many hearts but as Christians we must find comfort in the lord, let us believe and have faith in God that death is not the end.” the bishop said.
Many people have described the death of Fr Benjamin as a great lost to the diocese, to the family, to the youths and to the diocesan priests’ community.
Speaking of behalf of the Association of Diocesan priests of Malawi in Mzuzu Diocese, Fr Yotum Msumba, said just in four years late Fr Banda has served in the Diocese, he has done a lot, his life summarizes how we need to be living, we thank the Lord for the gift in the ADCOM family.
Diocesan Youth Chairperson Aaron Mkandawire said they learned a lot from Fr Banja and the youths of Mzuzu diocese will miss the leadership of their chaplain. Until his death Father Banda was a parish priest at St Johns Mzambazi Parish and Diocesan Youth Chaplain.
Fr Banda has served for 4 years, was ordained to priesthood on 30 October 2021 at St Theresa Parish by Bishop Emeritus of Mzuzu Diocese Right Reverend John Ryan. On the time of his death, he was serving as a parish priest of St John the Baptist at Mzambazi.
One of the Parishioners of St Johns Mzambazi Parish Laurencia Nkosi said late Fr Banda brought several developments at the parish saying his presence and love for the church will be missed.
Fr Banda was born on 19 January 1994 and hails from Kanyemba village, St Theresa Parish traditional Authority Mabulabo in Mzimba district.
Mzuzu Diocese Calls for Continued Support Towards Missionary Work
St Joseph Parish Hewe, Rumphi- Malawi -On Sunday 19 October 2025, the Catholic church globally celebrated the 99th World Mission Sunday.
The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Monsignor Isaac John Katumbi stressed the importance of contributions towards missionary work.
The Vicar made the remarks at Kamphenda Outstation St Joseph Mkasa parish during the celebration of World Mission Sunday.
He said christians must pray for the mission, live the exemplary life of Jesus and also use their resources which will help in spreading of the gospel.
Reflecting on the theme of 2025 World Mission Sunday “Missionaries of Hope among all People”the Vicar General called on christians to live with hope and share the same with others especially those in need.
PMS Director for Mzuzu Fr Gondwe thanked Christians for contributing generously towards the missionary work and urged Christian to continue supporting the missionary work.
The funds collected on this Sunday are sent to Rome to help in propagating the faith around world and St Joseph Mkasa Parish contributed more than MK200,000 during the event.
The mission Sunday was set aside to renew its commitment to the missionary work under the theme “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples.”.
CCJP Trains Women Volunteers on Fighting Early Marriages
As one way of eradicating child marriages in Mzuzu diocese, Catholic commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) through Right to Education for a Girl Child project, has trained women volunteers on how to stop child marriages in the diocese.
The training which was being facilitated by St John of God psychotherapist has equipped participants with knowledge on the effects of child marriages and the importance of girl’s education.
The Vicar General of Mzuzu Diocese Monsignor John Isaac Katumbi who was present during the training, praised CCJP for this project saying it is helping young girls understand the importance of education and the negative effects of early marriages.
Mzuzu diocese CCJP coordinator Felix Manda, said the project seeks to protect young girls from early marriages and ensure they pursue their education without challenges.
Manda further said they used St John of God specialist because they have the expertise on psychosocial counselling which can help the volunteers to provide good information to the young girls.
“When some girls are withdrawn from their marriages, they need psychosocial counseling which St John of God expert is training the women so that when they go home, they should also provide the same service to young girls.
Thandi Mkandawire a psychotherapist from St John of God who was the facilitator, advised the women to understand the root cause that is making young girls get married, in doing so they will be it will be easy for them to deal with the problems.
One of the volunteers Ezelina Chirambo from St Cecilia Parish said the knowledge that she has gained through the training will help her successful fulfill her job back home.
About 50 women from St Cecilia Parish, St Joseph Mukasa Parish, Holy Family Parish and Holy Cross Parish have benefited from the training.
Bamama Ba Chitemwano Concludes Annual Deanery Meeting: with a call to serve God
Bamama ba Chitemwano Movement under the Northern Deanery in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, on Sunday 12 October 2025 concluded the four-day Annual Deanery Meeting at St Denis Parish in Rumphi district.
Speaking on Sunday during the closing mass, Chaplain for the movement at Deanery level, Father Peter Ndolo hailed the women coming in large numbers and for their active participation during the meeting.
Father Ndolo has reminded the women to keep the faith and emulate Mother Mary who served the lord faithfully despite the challenges they face in serving the Lord.
“As pilgrims of hope we shouldn’t give up in serving the Lord no matter the situations, we should be like our Master Jesus Christ who suffered for our sake, but he never gave up until he accomplished his mission, “he said.
Diocesan Chairperson for Bamama ba Chitemwano movement, Theresa Chirwa, advised their fellow members to unite and support other church movements to promote the growth of the church.
One of the members, Anastanzia Luhanga, said that the lessons learnt will help them to take care of their families and spiritual growth.
Some of the lessons covered included the social teachings of the Catholic church, Sacraments, Leadership skills.
2,873 members from 4 parishes attended 2025 Northern Deanery AGM.
Mzuzu Diocese CWA Members Asked to be Agent of Evangelization
Mzuzu Diocese Catholic Women Association (CWA) held its Annual General Meeting from October 9-12, 2025, at St. Theresa Parish-Katete, bringing together over 150 women from across the diocese.
The meeting provided a platform for women to share reports on how they have worked in their parishes and have different lessons on spiritual and physical growth.
Speaking after the closing Mass Celebration, St Therese Parish Priest Father Sam Ng’oma, said it was a wonderful AGM which has really helped the women to grow in faith.
Father Ng’oma encouraged the women to take the lessons they have been taught seriously and also share with others in their respective parishes.
“They should keep the lessons and resolutions that we have made on the AGM seriously, and also when they go home, they should become agents of evangelization and spread the love of Christ to their friends and families.”
CWA chairperson Catherine Nyangulu said a number of programs were lined up and have been fulfilled which shows that the meeting has been a success.
She further said the lessons have helped them spiritually and physically.
During the AGM, annual reports were presented from all the deaneries in the Catholic diocese of Mzuzu.
The AGM featured a retreat and informative sessions on Catholic teachings, mental health, good parenting, fertilizer making, and soap making.
Mzuzu Diocese Children Join Global Rosary Prayers
On Tuesday 7 October 2025 Mzuzu Diocese Children joined fellow catholic children worldwide in the annual 1 Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign.
Despite being a school day, more children managed to gather at St Peters Cathedral of the Diocese and pray the rosary.
Before the prayers, children started listening to the history of the 1 million rosary for Peace and unity and its importance to children and world .
The Vicar General of Mzuzu Diocese Father John Isaac Katumbi who was present during the prayers said if the children are introduced to rosary prayers earlier it will help the children to grow in faith.
“If they learn to pray the rosary at this stage, they will grow up praying the most powerful prayer in the church,” said Monsignor Katumbi.
Trinity Nyirenda a Sunday school teacher asked parents to be sending their children to Sunday school for lessons and Catholic teachings.
One of the children who attended the prayers Mtende Mkandawire said she has learnt that she should be praying the rosary every day.
One Million Children Praying the Rosary is held in conjunction with the Feast of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary under the office of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Malawi
Rural Farmers Hail Transform Project
Mzuzu Diocese Malawi -The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) Mzuzu Diocese – TRANSFORM project farmers have hailed the 5 years project that has transformed their lives. Farmers were acknowledging this on Wednesday at a phase out meeting with Transform project officers and other stakeholders at Engucwini EPA- Kamwe section in Mzimba North district.
Chairperson for Tilime Club, one of the beneficiaries of the project – Fadwick Tembo, said through the new farming technique of Drip Kit Irrigation, they are harvesting more yields from a small piece of land than before, and they are able to feed well their families.
Tembo also said that because the area faces water challenges, the club managed to purchase a Solar water pump from the tomatoes profits which simplified irrigation and increased profits and benefit to the club members.
Currently, the club is into Tomato and Maize farming. The money made from selling tomatoes was used to buy three pigs which will be shared with each farmer through a pass-on system.
Tilime club appreciating the farming benefits, are also constructing a warehouse and shop at Kamwe trading center, The structures will be used for storing and selling the farm produce respectively.
Also complementing this great achievement, CADECOM Mzuzu diocese Coordinator, Daniel Zimba said he is very optimistic that the interventions provided to farmers would be sustained and continuing to change their lives.
Extension worker at Engucwini EPA Anthony Hamis Chisambi as a project partner commended the project interventions and pledged to sustain the program by training more farmers on this new method of farming and continue implementing all the interventions transform has planted in the area.
The main goal of the project was to contribute to sustainable Agricultural transformation that results in improved income, food and nutrition security among smallholder farmers in Malawi.
CADECOM Mzuzu Diocese has been implementing the project in Mzimba North, Mzimba South and Rumphi districts, benefiting more than 25, 000 rural farmers
This 2 billion Malawian Kwacha Transform project for Mzuzu diocese was funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and coordinated by NCA-DCA Act Alliance.
Bishop Urges Christians Observe the Rosary Month
Mzuzu Diocese, Malawi– The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, has called on Christians to pray the Rosary throughout the month of October, a month dedicated to this devotion worldwide.
Bishop Nyirenda said praying the Rosary allows Christians to seek the intercession of Mother Mary, while also bringing a deep understanding that Catholics worship and believe in God through Jesus and his Mary as an intercessor.
The bishop has also encouraged Christians to pray individually, as families, or in their churches as he hopes Christians will deepen their faith improve their prayer life and connection with God.
Recently, Pope Leo XIV also urged Catholics to pray the Rosary daily for peace in the world.