Mzuzu Catechists Rise to Pope Francis’ Call to Care for Our Common Home

Crief Daniel in Nkhata Bay

The Laudato Si’ Coordinator for Mzuzu Diocese, Mr. Crief Daniel, led an engaging input session for 14 catechists gathered at the Pastoral Centre. The training placed the care of the Earth at its heart, equipping the catechists to become frontline messengers of integral ecology in their communities.

The Diocese understands the urgent need to equip catechists with this knowledge. It is sobering that Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, written in 2015, has still not reached many of our faithful. For this reason, Mzuzu Diocese continues to weave ecological consciousness into the life of the Church. The session was highly interactive, blending observation, “talk with nature” activities, and a deep unpacking of Laudato Si’.

“The distinction is clear: not dominion, but stewardship—for the earth was given to us as a gift, not a possession.” Crief Daniel

At the centre of the discussion was the critical distinction between “dominion” and “stewardship”. As Pope Francis reminds us, “We are not God. The earth was here before us and it has been given to us” [LS 67]. The catechists debated this thin line and reflected on the call to be protectors, not exploiters, of God’s creation. All 14 catechists, drawn from the three levels (years) of their of training, were urged to live out and answer the call of the late Pope Francis. The group was challenged to preach and to convert hearts towards the core messages of Laudato Si’, including its practical call to a new lifestyle.

“Many things have to change course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change” [LS 202].The catechists had opportunity to ask questions and receive direction on the Diocese’s concrete steps toward caring for the Earth. This message comes at a crucial time as Malawi and the globe face pressing climate change realities — from erratic rains to droughts and floods that hurt the poorest first.

The group was tasked to embrace a new lifestyle that respects traditional wisdom in caring for the planet, remembering that “we are not disconnected from the rest of creatures, but joined in a splendid universal communion” [LS 220]. Mzuzu Diocese is already moving forward with plans to create an Integrated Ecology Centre, with an Ecology Education Centre as its centerpiece. The Diocese knows the importance of raising a generation that is conscious of nature and ready to be its custodians. We are all interconnected: man is not above nature but a participant within it.

Mr. Daniel expressed his joy that the Church is taking this bolder path to train catechists who will reach thousands. These trained catechists will be assigned to different parishes where they will play a bigger role in guiding communities on ecological conversion.

“The SELL Programme stands as a beacon of hope in the Diocese of Mzuzu, bearing lasting fruit by shaping leaders who courageously live out faith, champion justice, and care for our common home.” — Mr. Isaac Thindwa

Also present was Ugweru Organisation, through Mr. Isaac Thindwa, who gave an input on the SELL Programme — Sharing and Experiencing Life Lessons. The SELL Programme remains one of the most important components in the Diocese of Mzuzu, and it continues to bear much fruit by forming leaders who integrate faith, justice, and care for creation.

Mr. Daniel extended heartfelt thanks to the Diocesan Environmental Committee for the commendable work they are doing in answering Pope Francis’ call. He also alerted the public that groups will soon start coming to the new centre to learn about Mother Earth. As Pope Francis wrote, “The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion” [LS 217]. Mzuzu Diocese is answering that summons – one catechist, one community at a time.