By Temwa Teresa Mhango
The President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) Right Reverend Martin Anwel Mtumbuka has urged the Catholic youths in Malawi to be strong in their faith and keep soldiering on amidst their different challenges.
Bishop Mtumbuka made the remarks during the closing mass of the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference at St Peter’s Cathedral in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu.
Bishop Mtumbuka said regardless of the many challenges youths encounter, they must move on, relying on Jesus Christ, in the intersession of the blessed Virgin Mary and on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
” In times of unemployment keep walking, in times of broken homes and families keep walking, in lack of school fees keep walking, in times of poverty keep walking our God is with you and also us your church leaders, we are assuring you of our support , we will not leave you alone, ” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
The bishop also advised young boys and girls not to rush into temporal or unblessed marriages but rather take time in searching for their partners and follow properly all the church marriage procedures.
The conference was parked with different lessons by excellent facilitators. On day two, the youths went through the Recollection Lesson by Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda of Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Mental Health Resilience by Brother Samuel Mithi of St John of God and Catholic Social Teachings by Bishop Alfred Chaima of Zomba Diocese. On day three the youths were reminded of the Sacrament of Penance as preparation for the Eucharist by Fr Robert Songa of Karonga Diocese, Vocation by Fr Raymond Mwale, Pastoral Director of Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, and Environmental Stewardship by Isaac Thindwa of Ungwelu organization. On day four the youths learnt about Renewing and deepening the Eucharistic Faith by Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese, Youth Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship by Rex Chapota of National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCM) and the last lesson was Digital Space and Cyber security by Hatchson Mkwapatila of Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).
National Catholic Youth Chaplain Father Patrick Kamba asked the youths to put into practice the lessons they have learnt during the conference.
Mzuzu Diocese Youth Chairperson Aaron Mkandawire thanked the bishops for organizing the conference with such deep and enlightening lessons, which he said has strengthened and deepened their catholic faith.
After the lessons on day four, the youths participated in the tree planting exercise around Mary Mount Secondary School as one way of implementing environmental conservation strategies the learnt.
The conference was held from 13-17 August 2025, and it brought together over 250 youths from all the eight catholic dioceses of Malawi.
At the conclusion of the closing mass, the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu has handed over a Cross and a Candle to Dedza Diocese the host of 2026 National Catholic Youth Conference.
