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.
Fr Isaac John Katumbi taking an Oath of Office
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.
Members of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu college of Consultors
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.
Catholics worldwide, including in Malawi, celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ) on 22 June,2025.
In the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, the main celebration took place in the northern deanery at St. Denis Parish in Rumphi, which was led by His Lordship, Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda.
During the celebration, Bishop Nyirenda called on Christians to pray for priests and other servants of God who administer the sacrament of the Eucharist, that they may live long and fulfill Jesus Christ’s mission.
Reflecting on the day’s gospel Luke 9:11b-17, the bishop emphasized the importance of generosity and sharing, citing Jesus’ gesture of feeding the hungry with five loaves of bread and two fish.
“Let’s embrace the spirit of sharing amongst us, greed has dominated in our societies, the gap between the rich and the poor is huge, “he said.
St Denis Parish Corpus Christi Procession
All parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu celebrated the feast in a very prayerful and colorful way as revealed in an engaged with St Martins de Porres Parish Chizani in the Southern deanery, St Michaels Parish – Ekwendeni, St Peter’s Cathedral and St Albert parish the great parish in the central deanery.
St Albert the Great Parish Corpus Christi Procession
At St Albert the celebration was led by the Parish Priest Fr Yotam Msumba. In his homily father Msumba emphasized that the sacrament of Eucharist is very important to the Catholic church because it is the real presence of Christ among Christians. Fr Msumba also said the Eucharist is the food for spirit, hence encouraged Christians to always receive the Eucharist.
“Much as the body needs food to survive, the spirit or our souls needs food as well, so the special food for our souls is the Eucharist,” said Fr Msumba.
St Peters Cathedral Corpus Christi procession
St Michael Parish -Ekwendeni Corpus Christi procession
As per tradition, after mass the celebration there was a blessed sacrament procession, benediction and adoration around outside their churches honoring the Holy Eucharist and the real presence of Jesus Christ. Different parish sectors also gave their prayer intentions during the procession.
The Pastoral Director of Mzuzu Diocese at Kafulu-fulu Outstation
By Susan Moyo
The Pastoral Director of Mzuzu Diocese, Father Raymond Mwale, has appealed to Christians at St. Annie’s Kafulu-fulu to support the growth of the newly established Parish, St. Michael’s.
Speaking during the Feast of Pentecost Sunday at St. Annie’s outstation Kafulu-fulu, Father Mwale emphasized the importance of unity among Christians in spearheading the parish’s development.
Father Mwale expressed gratitude for the Christians’ contributions during a recent fundraising event the parish held.
“Even though they are far from the parish center, they constitute the parish, and the mass celebrated at the parish center is meant to strengthen the unity in parishes and all over,” he said.
Solomon Sibande, Chairperson for St. Annie’s outstation, said that with the help of the Holy Spirit, they will take part in growing the parish.
St. Annie’s church Outstation comprises four small Christian communities with over 200 members.
St. Michael’s Pro Parish was established in 2024 by Bishop Emeritus of Mzuzu Diocese, Right Reverend John Ryan.
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.
Bishop Nyirenda & Bishop Chaima donating to Mzuzu Prison
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,”.
Several people across the country and abroad on 3rd May,2025, gathered at Mzuzu stadium to witness the episcopal installation of Rt Rev Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda as the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu.
The Installation ceremony took place at St Peter’s Cathedral where the Bishop Emeritus Of Mzuzu Diocese Right Reverend John Ryan handed over the authority to Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda the new bishop.
The event was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio of Malawi and Zambia His Excellency Most Reverend Gian Luca Perici.
Few selected individuals witness the ceremony at the Cathedral due to limited space and the Eucharist Celebration took place at Mzuzu stadium.
Speaking at the event the Apostolic Nuncio asked christians to always support the new bishop to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ.
Emeritus bishop of the Catholic diocese of Mzuzu Right Reverend John Ryan said he will continue supporting the church.
The president of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) Right Reverend Martin Anwel Mtumbuka advised Bishop Nyirenda to live a prayerful life to be successful.
On his Part bishop Nyirenda asked the priest and the Laity to be united.
“I am committed to growing the Diocese , this can only be possible if we remain united, as I have accepted the new role I ask the christians to support me,”he said.
On 1 April 2025, Late Pope Francis appointed Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda as the bishop of Mzuzu following the request from Bishop John Ryan who has retired.
Various people including Catholic Bishops from the 8 Dioceses in Malawi, bishops from Zambia and Zimbabwe, Religious Men and Women,president of Malawi Dr Lazarus Chakwera,cabinet ministers, Paramount Chiefs and the clergy attended this historical event.
Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda is the Fourth bishop of Mzuzu Diocese and second Diocesan Priest to be appointed as bishop.
Erratic weather patterns, exacerbated by rising costs of agricultural inputs, have rocked the 2023-2024 farming season in Malawi, forcing many families to grapple with the harsh realities of hunger.
The devastating effects of climate change have led to poor harvests, leaving vulnerable households struggling to put food on the table.
In the Mzuzu Diocese, the situation has become dire, with many families—particularly those headed by women or caring for the elderly and disabled—facing acute food insecurity.
The rising prices of fertilizers and seeds further compound their struggles, pushing many into despair as they watch their loved ones go hungry.
Recognizing this urgent need, the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) of the Diocese has moved swiftly to launch a K30 million relief initiative aimed at providing much-needed support to the most affected households.
Over the past year, CADECOM has also implemented several food assistance projects in the Mzuzu Diocese, focusing on emergency food distribution and cash transfers to support vulnerable families.
On December 2, 2024, an official distribution of material and financial aid took place at St. Bernadette Parish in Chibavi, Mzuzu City, marking the beginning of a crucial cash transfer and food distribution exercise.
The Director for Social Development of the Diocese, Fr. Austin Ndowera, who represented Bishop John Ryan at the event, expressed gratitude to Caritas Korea, Caritas Italiana, and Caritas Internationalis for their timely assistance through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).
Fr. Ndowera stated, “This initiative will serve food to the starving people in our Diocese,” acknowledging the critical role that these partnerships play in addressing hunger.
He highlighted that the Diocese has been severely impacted by low farm yields due to drought and unpredictable rainfall patterns, urging community members to engage in environmental restoration efforts, such as tree planting, as a means to combat these challenges.
Fr. Ndowera with one of the cash beneficiaries.
St. Bernadette Parish priest Fr. Toney Mfune, echoed these sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the support extended to vulnerable households in his parish.
“The hunger situation here has led to decreased attendance at Sunday services, as many struggle with acute food shortages. We are calling on the government to stabilize the economy and make agricultural inputs more affordable, emphasizing that Malawi is blessed with fertile land that could yield abundant harvests if properly utilized.”
The elderly are some of the cash beneficiaries
Dan Zimba, CADECOM-Mzuzu Diocese Coordinator, announced at the launch that each identified household would receive MK100, 000.00 in cash transfers and 15 kg of soya corn flour.
This assistance will benefit a total of 430 households across five parishes within the Diocese, including St. Albert the Great Parish-Mzuzu, St. Michael’s Pro-Parish Ekwendeni, St. Cecilia Parish-Mpherembe, and St. Paul’s Parish-Mzimba.
The need for continued support is immense, as nearly all 22 parishes in the Diocese are grappling with hunger, Zimba added.
“There are many more needy families in our Diocese,” Zimba stated. “While we are grateful for this assistance, it only reaches a fraction of those in need and serves as a short-term solution.”
Among the beneficiaries is Juliana Ngwira, a widow from Salisbury Lines in St. Bernadette Parish. After enduring three days without food for herself and her grandchildren, she expressed profound relief and gratitude upon receiving food assistance.
“I am so thankful to God for this help,” she said, her heart filled with hope.
As CADECOM Mzuzu Diocese continues its efforts to alleviate hunger in the Diocese, it remains committed to seeking additional support to address the ongoing needs of its communities and ensure that no one goes hungry.
The Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu has officially launched its preparations for the highly anticipated 2025 Epiphany celebration, scheduled to take place on January 5, 2025, at St. Cecelia Parish in Mpherembe, Mzimba District.
This year’s launch coincided with the first Sunday of Advent, marking a spiritually significant time for the community.
The launch event was held during a Eucharist celebration at St. Cecelia Parish, where Fr. Thomas Gondwe, the Director of the Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS) for the Diocese, addressed the congregation.
In his sermon, Fr. Gondwe emphasized the importance of obedience and respect among children, urging them to embrace prayer and education as foundational pillars for their future roles in both the church and society.
“If children are obedient and respectful to parents and other elders, they will grow in wisdom and become reliable leaders of the Catholic Church and the country in future,” he explained.
Fr. Gondwe also took the opportunity to encourage parishioners to maintain hope during challenging times.
He reminded them that the Advent season serves as a beacon of light, illustrating that Jesus is present to help carry their burdens.
The Parish Priest of St. Cecelia, Fr. Abishai Chirambo, expressed his gratitude for hosting the launch event and assured attendees that the parish would diligently work towards ensuring a successful celebration.
Said he, “we will prepare well so that Mzuzu Diocese can have a successful celebration next year; we will prioritize prayers in our preparations.”
Angela Ngulube, a dedicated Sunday school teacher at St. Cecelia Parish, called upon parents to actively support their children in the lead-up to the Epiphany celebrations.
“We are asking parents and guardians to help their children prepare well for the celebration by sending them to practices and rehearsal meetings, and providing them what the Epiphany day will demand,” she explained.
In a show of unity among the youth, Charles Mkandawire, representing his peers in the parish, encouraged fellow children to attend scheduled rehearsals to ensure a vibrant and colorful celebration.
“Let’s all come together and participate in the activities planned for this important day,” he urged.
Leading up to the Epiphany celebration, children will engage in various activities including charity work aimed at supporting needy children and quiz competitions designed to educate them about their roles within the church and society.
This year’s theme, “Children are Missionaries of Hope,” underscores the significance of nurturing a sense of responsibility among young members of the congregation.
The Epiphany celebration is not only a time of festivity but also serves as an educational platform for children within the Catholic Church, highlighting their vital contributions to both local and global communities.
As preparations unfold, the Diocese looks forward to a memorable event that embodies faith, hope, and community spirit.
The Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi is mourning the untimely passing of Rev. Fr. Wezi Mfune, a beloved priest from St. Joseph Mukasa Parish in the Diocese of Mzuzu.
According to Secretary General of the conference Rev. Fr. Valeriano Mtseka, Rev, Fr Mfune departed this life on November 2, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to the Church and its community.
Born on September 10, 1971, Fr. Mfune was ordained as a priest on August 26, 2006.
Throughout his ministry, he served in various parishes and institutions, including Stephen’s Parish in the Diocese of Karonga, Holy Cross Parish, St. Peter’s Cathedral, St. Theresa Parish, St. Monica, and St. Augustine Parish.
His contributions to the Church extended beyond the pulpit; after completing his studies in Moral Theology, he took on the roles of Formator and Lecturer at St. Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba, eventually being appointed as Rector.
From 2022 until his passing, Fr. Mfune held the esteemed position of National Chairman for the Association of Diocesan Catholic Clergy of Malawi (ADCCOM).
Most recently, he served as the Rector of St. Patrick’s Seminary, where he was known for his commitment to nurturing the next generation of priests.
The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the Catholic community, with many expressing their grief and condolences.
Fr. Mfune was not only a spiritual leader but also a mentor to many, embodying the values of compassion and service that are central to the Catholic faith.
A Requiem Mass will be held on November 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Peter’s Cathedral, followed by burial at the Bishop’s Cemetery.
“The community is invited to come together to honor Fr. Mfune’s life and legacy during this solemn occasion,” says Rev,Fr Mtseka in a statement on 4th November,2024.
As we remember Rev. Fr. Wezi Mfune, we pray for his eternal rest and solace for all those who were touched by his life and ministry. May he find peace in the arms of the Lord. He added.
Auxillary Bishop Yohane Nyirenda posing with other Bishop’s in Rome.
In a significant gathering of ecclesiastical leadership, the Vatican is currently hosting a comprehensive formation course for newly consecrated bishops from around the world. Among the participants is Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, the auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, who was consecrated on 5th August, 2023 at the Mzuzu Stadium.
The event, organized by the Dicastery for Bishops, the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and the Dicastery for Evangelization, aims to equip bishops with essential skills and knowledge to effectively lead their dioceses in a rapidly changing global landscape.
This initiative reflects the Vatican’s commitment to fostering strong leadership within the Church, particularly in regions facing unique challenges.
Bishop Nyirenda, along with fellow Malawian bishops—including Bishop Alfred Mateyu Chaima of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba and Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe—are participating in discussions that cover a wide range of topics.
These include pastoral care, interfaith dialogue, and the role of bishops in promoting social justice and community development.
The formation course also includes newly consecrated bishops from Eastern Churches, highlighting the Vatican’s inclusive approach to church leadership.
This diversity allows for a rich exchange of ideas and practices that can be adapted to various cultural contexts.
As the course progresses, participants will have opportunities to reflect on their own experiences and develop strategies that can be implemented in their respective dioceses.
The Vatican’s investment in the formation of its bishops underscores its recognition of the critical role they play in nurturing faith and guiding communities amidst contemporary challenges.
The comprehensive formation course is expected to conclude with a series of workshops and discussions aimed at reinforcing the bonds among bishops and enhancing their collaborative efforts in serving the Church and society at large.
