Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu

Archives January 2026

St. John’s Institute for Health asks the Government to lift the recruitment freeze

Malawi Mzuzu –St John’s institute for health has asked the government to lift the government recruitment freeze in government offices that it issued on 7 October 2025.

This was disclosed during a graduation ceremony which St John’s institute for health had on Friday 16 January 2026 in Mzuzu.

7th Graguation
St Johns Institute for Health`s 7th Graduation.

St John’s institute for health Principal Shouts Simeza said the ministry of health strategic plan shows that there are huge shortages of staff in the health sector hence more health workers are needed to fill the gap.

“We need more health workers, unfortunately the government released a secular for recruitment ban, this is very unfortunate. So many health workers are not recruited, so we ask the government to reverse the decision especially in the health sector because it is an essential service provider,” said Simeza.

Simeza further wished the graduating students well as they are going to start their new lives.

Students taking their health oath
Students taking their health oath

The graduation ceremony was graced by the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Rt Rev Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda who emphasized that the Catholic church is committed to helping the country in the health sector development.

“As the Catholic church we are much aware that these health workers are needed in the country and we will continue to support the health sector in different areas,” said bishop Nyirenda.

bishop
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Rt. Rev. Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda

A total of 110 pharmacy assistance, 85 nursing and midwifery technicians, and 91 medical assistants have graduated bringing a total number of 286.

Tree Planting Season Launched in the Diocese of Mzuzu.

Malawi Mzuzu-As per tradition, The Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu launched its 2026 Tree Planting Season on Friday, 16th January, an exercise mandated to be implemented in all the parishes of the diocese every year. The launch was held at St Pius Outstation of St Padre Pio Parish at Msipazi Primary School in Mzuzu.

Speaking during the launch Mass, Director of Social Development who is also the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mzuzu, Mons. Isaac John Katumbi emphasized the commitment of the Catholic Church in caring for the creation through different environmental programs.

Fr Isaac John Katumbi watering his newly planted pine tree
Fr Isaac John Katumbi (DSD) watering new tree he has just planted

The Vicar General also said mitigating the effects of climate change is a Christian calling and a responsibility entrusted to every believer by God.

He explained that the biblical instruction for humanity to subdue the earth should not be understood as permission to exploit nature, but as a call to care for creation responsibly and to restore harmony where it has been damaged.

Father Katumbi condemned wickedness of human beings for destroying natural resources by cutting down tree carelessly, which has contributed to effects of climate change, and therefore nature is punishing back with floods, unstable and unpredictable rainfall patterns and droughts.

For restoration of nature, Christians are called to embrace repentance and conversion by changing their attitudes and actions towards nature by planting trees, protecting forests, using natural resources wisely, and living in ways that respect God’s gift of creation. Fr. Katumbi reiterated.

Diocese of Mzuzu CADECOM Coordinator Dan Zimba added that the commission implements environmental conservation interventions that promote modern methods of protecting the environment like cooking using Briquettes instead of firewood or charcoal, promoting use of energy saving stoves (Chitetezo Mbaula), programmed aimed at promoting sustainable living and safeguarding the environment for present and future generations.

Mzuzu CADECOM Cordinator
Mzuzu CADECOM Coordinator Dan Zimba planting the tree

This year’s Diocesan tree planting season hovers around the theme: Environmental Restoration for a better future. students from schools around the area participated in the tree planting launch. as future leaders they need to understand the importance of environment and know how to preserve it as they grow.

st padrepio
St Padre Pio Girls secondary school students at tree planting launch.

Women Commend Mzuzu Diocese CCJP Land Rights Project in Rumphi District.

Malawi Rumphi –Women in areas of Mzokoto and Mphompha have commended the CCJP- Mzuzu Diocese Land Rights for Women Project for supporting to secure land tenure for organic farming, which has led to an enhanced economic empowerment, improved household food security, and greater self-reliance.

The women expressed these sentiments on 14thJanuary 2025 during the issuance of customary Land titles to the 73 women (project beneficiaries) at Mzokoto T/A Mwankhunikila.

CCJP- Mzuzu Diocese Coordinator, Felix Manda explained the project focuses on securing customary land titles for the marginalized women (divorced widows, single mothers and unmarried girls). Manda added that in Rumphi the project targets to support 100 more women in addition to the 73 women who have already secured their land.

Land Certificate
The Land Certificate

The project also empowers women to apply agro-ecological and organic farming methods to realize their rights to food and social economic development.

Northern Region Deputy Director for Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Lands, Ruth Banda appreciated the efforts of CCJP in Mzuzu diocese for helping the government to implement a new Customary Land Act that empowers citizens to secure their land hence protecting it from being sold to strangers.

The Director of Social Development, who is also the Vicar general of Mzuzu Diocese, Fr Isaac John Katumbi complemented the development saying that the Diocese is pleased with the outcome of the project and its impact as this transformation of women’s lives is within the Mzuzu Diocese goal of achieving a holistic evangelization of both spiritual and social- economic development of people in the diocese.

The DSD Fr Isaac Katumbi and CCJP Coordinator
The DSD Fr Isaac John Katumbi, CCJP Coordinator Felix Manda, Chiefs and women holding Land Certificates

Cecilia Nyasulu who got divorced and returned to her parents’ home is one of the beneficiaries of the project. Her life has greatly transformed as she is able to farm a variety of crops and sale some. From the profit realized through sale of extra produce, Nyasulu is able to pay school fees for her secondary school child.

Project beneficiaries
Project beneficiaries full of smile at last the own a secured land

Land Rights for women project implemented in Mzuzu diocese is funded by Misereor in Germany, aims at empowering women specifically widows and divorced to have access land to Land for organic farming, breaking the northern region’s cultural belief that ownership of land belongs to men.

Mzuzu Diocese to Host Malawi`s WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 100 Years Celebrations.

Mzuzu Diocese Malawi -The Catholic Church in Malawi in October this year is expected to celebrate a significant milestone of 100 years (Centenary) of World Mission Sunday (1926-2026) and 110 years of Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU) (1916-2026).

Preparations for this day have been launched on 10th January 2026 in the Catholic diocese of Mzuzu which will be the hosting diocese.

Speaking in an interview Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) National Director Father Peter Madeya, said this early planning will ensure a colorful celebration.

“Starting preparations at an early stage will help us have a successful and colorful celebration,” he said.

Fr Madeya
Fr Peter Madeya explaining about the centenary celebration in Mzuzu diocese

Father Madeya further said World Mission Sunday has really helped the Catholic church in the country in establishing different institutions in the dioceses.

Mzuzu Diocese PMS Director Father Thomas Gondwe said his office will work together with the Pastoral Office in order to have a wonderful celebration. Fr Gondwe further said during the preparations the main organizing committee of Mzuzu Diocese will be looking on liturgy, accommodation, transport, food, health, decoration, security, fundraising, protocol and publicity.

Mzuzu Diocese main organizing committee during the launch of preparations for the centenary celebration.
Mzuzu Diocese main organizing committee during the launch of preparations for the centenary celebration.

The national event is expected to attract a large nationwide audience from all dioceses and will be witnessed by the Pope’s Delegate from Rome and the PMS International Secretary.