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St Martin de Porres, a new parish of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu at Chizani in Mzimba district has been launched.

The historical event was led by His Lordship, Bishop of the Diocese, Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda on Saturday 30 August 2025.

Speaking during the launching Mass, Bishop Nyirenda said the new parish signifies the growth of the diocese and it creates an easy access to the word of God and sacraments for the Christians during their spiritual journey.

 Bishop Nyirenda further advised the Christians of the new parish to effectively use it, by frequently worshiping, praying and receiving sacraments, which are also the requirements for the pilgrims of hope.

The bishop also asked Christians of St Martin de Porres to live their life in line with the gifts holy spirit which are love, forgiveness, happiness, kindness and peace. They should avoid fights for the parish to develop.

 Lastly the bishop assured that the diocese has plans to establish more new parishes so that other catholic that still walk long distances to access the parish should be considered with a nearby parish too. 

Father Petros Mwale expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to lead the foundation of the pris and asked well wishes to continue supporting the development of the parish.

The Chief of the area Inkosi Khosolo expressed deep appreciation for the establishment of the new parish in his area. Inkosi further expressed that other infrastructure developments like schools, hospitals and good roads will follow the parish, hence developing the area.

Before the Eucharist celebration, the bishop blessed the Father’s House for the parish and then laid the foundation stone of the Parish church.

St Martin De Porres Pro parish was established on 1 August 2023 by Bishop Emeritus of Mzuzu Diocese Right Reverend John Ryan.

Currently the parish has 2 Priests,2 Brothers,5, Catechists,6 Zones,27 Substations, 50 out churches and over 14,000 Christians This brings a total number of parishes in Mzuzu Diocese to 22 including 2 Pro- Parishes.

The construction projects for the new parish are supported by the local and well-wishers.

Mzuzu Diocese Education Commission is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 form 1 Selection in the four-grant aided Catholic Secondary school of diocese namely, St Francis Secondary School- Mzimba; St John Bosco Secondary School; Nkhamenya Girls Secondary School and Nkhata-Bay Boys Secondary School. The results can be accessed in all parish centers and in all Catholic Secondary school in Mzuzu Diocese

All selected students are advised to report to their respective schools on the date the Ministry of Education will announce.

For more information contact the following numbers for the respective schools

Mr. Elija Chirwa – St Francis Secondary School- 0888 550 634

Mr. Fariot Ngwira – St John Bosco Secondary School- 0888355289/0998864091

Sr. Kettie Mjuma – Nkhamenya Girls Secondary School – 0999292267/0888432651

Mr. Mathia Chiumia Nkhata Bay Secondary School – 0991607270/0884179771

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!!!

The first ever National Children Congress happened at Don Bosco Parish Lilongwe Archdiocese- Malawi from the 30th of July to the 3rd of August 2025. The delegates were Children between the age of 8 to 14 and their animators. The numbers of delegates per diocese were as follows; Lilongwe 463, Dedza 228, Blantyre 332, Mangochi 183, Chikwawa 44, Karonga 163, Zomba 183, Mzuzu 32. The total number of delegates was 1628.

A) The Main Aim Of the Children Congress 

• To allow children to meet in one place, know one another and share knowledge.
• To give children a chance to discuss issues that affect their spirituality and their day-to-day lives. 
• To give children a chance to give views to leaders on how best they want to participate in church and nation. 
• To prepare children to be good leaders for the church and nation.

B) What Was Discussed 

• How parents take care of their children following how Joseph and Mary took care of Jesus Christ   Child abuse.
• Child labor and child trafficking.
• Catholic Social Teaching (CST) 

C) The Following Were Some Key Lessons

• That everyone was created in the image of God and that everyone needs to be respected and children are also created in the image of God Genesis 1: 26-27. 
• Life is a gift from God co from God and therefore no one has freedom to take away his or the life of another person We are all one family, and we should do things together (Solidarity).
• We children should do things for the good of our fellow children (Common good) Everyone should be allowed to do his or her part (Subsidiarity). 
• We should help our fellow children who are lacking (preferential option for the poor) Our responsibility is to care for the environment (Genesis 1:28).
• That mass is the highest prayer in the church, sacraments and liturgy and that We children should love the sacraments of the Eucharist and penance. 
• How to have good thoughts (Mental Health) Eat proper, enough and healthy food Having adequate time to sleep (10 hours). 
• Avoid bad behaviors of smoking Chamba and alcohol drinking Avoid excessive use of technology and watching inappropriate things. 
• Malawi 2063 which is the vision for this country. Malawi wants to be an inclusive wealthy and self-reliant nation by the year 2063. 
• What causes climate change, the problems that come with it and how we can prevent climate change and what we children, and the church can do with it list. 

 D) Resolutions 

1. Parents and the church should take an effort to protect children from their children’s abuse, child trafficking and what disturbs the mental health of children and so they should not allow us children to excessively use modern technology. 
2.  Parents should help us to be close to Jesus Christ, teach us how to pray and read the word of God and send us for mass, parents should desist from leaving us home while they go for mass. 
3. The lessons should be taught in dioceses and parishes to benefit more children.
4. The lessons should also go to parents who are key in taking care of children. 
5. We are wanting to ask various church leaders, priests and sisters that they should love us children. 
6. The church should strengthen its efforts in taking care of the creation and fight climate change; all parishes should find places where they can grow trees every year. 
7. The church and the government should give equal access to education so that we can be able to achieve Malawi 2063. 
8. The church should establish peer groups at the diocese and parish where children can be able to report various abuses. 
9. The safeguarding policy which the church established should be taught and be utilized.
10. The church should establish groups to help children that are lacking most.
11. Priests and Sisters should take an active role in PMS activities more especially the Holy Childhood. and that during Epiphany Day parishes should organize food so that children can interact this will foster unity and togetherness.
12. There should be good coordination between bishops, priests and sisters in efforts on taking care of children. 
13. In various children’s gatherings there should be role models in vocation and other key figures in society to motivate children.   

The Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu newly appointed Vicar General Fr Isaac John Katumbi and the appointed college of consultors members have officially taken the oath of office on 15 July 2025 at the Bishop residence -Marcels House.

Following his Episcopal Installation as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu on 3rd May 2025, His Lordship Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda appointed Fr Isaac Katumbi as his Vicar General. The Bishop also appointed Fr. Daniel Kamanga, Fr John Benjamin Moyo, Fr Albert Chirambo, Fr Edmond Nyoka, Fr. Vincent Banda and Fr. Cyprian Ngoma as his consultors. He also appointed Fr. Philip Nkunika as the Chancellor of the diocese.

These members will be helping the new bishop in the governance of the diocese as determined by the code of Canon Law.

His Lordship Bishop Yohane thanked all the members and wished them the very best.

The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) held the Second Annual Plenary from 23 June to 25 June 2025 at the Catholic secretariat in Lilongwe city.

According to the statement signed by the secretary general of MCCB, Rev. Fr. Valeriano Mtseka, among other things the bishops deliberated reports from the Catholic Secretariate’s Pastoral, Social Development, Finance, Investment and Administration Directorates.

The meeting also received and discussed general progress reports from the Catholic University of Malawi (CUMA), the progress reports on development projects for the Catholic secretariat and other National Institutions and discussed progress and status reports from National Bodies and Associations such as Association of Diocesan Catholic Clergy in Malawi(ADCCOM), Association of Women in Religious Institutes in Malawi (AWRIM), Association of Men in Religious in Malawi (AMRIM), CHAM, PAC, National Laity Council, Catholic Women Association (CWA) and from the Catholic Youth Council

The plenary held in the Jubilee year also led the bishops to reflect on synodality, their ministry and their role as shepherds of hope.

The Malawi Catholic Bishops

The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) also known as Caritas- Malawi on Wednesday 04 June 2025 donated assorted items worthy MK3.5 million to Mzuzu Prison.

Before the donation, Caritas held a Eucharist celebration with prisoners which was presided over by His Lordship Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda and Bishop Alfred Chaima of Zomba Diocese the president of Caritas Malawi.

Bishop Afred Chaima said the donation was part of the 2025 Jubilee year celebration for the Caritas Malawi scheduled from 3rd- 5th June 2025, in Mzuzu Diocese.

“we cannot celebrate this jubilee without reaching out to people who live in despair and in need of hope, that is why we have come to celebrate the mass together with prisoners and share the little we have managed to source as Caritas Malawi,” said Bishop Chaima.

Regional Public Relations officer for Prisons in the North, Austin Mwasangwale, thanked the commission for supporting the inmates and also asked other well-wishers to continue supporting the inmates who are in great need due congestion in the prison and also as the country is experiencing the economic crisis.

The donated items are Cooking oil, Sugar, Salt, Sanitary pads, body lotions, washing and bathing and Soya pieces

Donated items

CADECOM Mzuzu Diocese Coordinator, Dan Zimba appreciated the gesture which he mentioned that it helped them to unite as CADECOM staff from across Malawi and participate in celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope a call for the Catholic church this year.

During the event, CADECOM offices from all eight dioceses in Malawi showcased the projects activities they are implementing, sharing its impact in different communities and the commision concluded the celebration with a call for International and local debt cancellation the Malawi owes.

Caritas Malawi Staff

Caritas Malawi 2025 Jubilee Year celebration was held under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,”.