Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu

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Mzuzu Diocese Starts the LENTEN SEASON with a Call to Pray, Give & Discipline their Bodies

Mzuzu diocese Malawi -Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 Day’s journey of Lent of fasting, praying, repenting and arm giving in the Catholic church.

On Wednesday, 18 February 2026 different parishes and outstations across Mzuzu diocese and beyond observed this day in their large numbers, a symbol of the spiritual growth and the surrendering spirit of people to God, asking for God’s mercy and compassion.

The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Rt Rev Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, prayed at St Nicholas outstation Chikangawa under St Paul’s Parish in Mzimba.

Speaking in an interview Bishop Nyirenda said during this period Christians are encouraged to pray frequently and also to help those in need.

“We are encouraged to pray, a prayer that is accompanied with fasting and also to open our hearts and hands to help the needy by doing works of charity,” said bishop Nyirenda.

Bishop Nyirenda at The Ash Wednesday - Chikangawa
Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda at the Ash Wednesday – Chikangawa

Bishop Nyirenda also called on the Christians to reflect on their lives, avoid sins and pray more because through prayers everything is possible.

Faithfuls at St Nicholus- Chikangawa
Faithful at St Nicholus- Chikangawa

On this same day the Vicar General of Mzuzu Diocese father Isaac John Katumbi led the Ash Wednesday mass at Peters Jenda Outstation under St Theresa Parish.

In his homily Father also emphasized self-discipline from the earthly desires and pleasures like drinking alcohol and smoking. The Vicar further encouraged the practicing of genuine prayer life and fasting of not showing off to others saying people cannot be called a true Christians if they don’t pray and control their bodies desires that lead to sins.

“Prayer is very important to the Christians, you cannot call yourself a Christian if you do not pray and it’s the prayers that can help to control our lives.” Said Father Isaac John Katumbi.

the Vicar General- Fr Isaac Katumbi at St Peters Jenda Outstation- Ash Wednesday
The Vicar General- Fr Isaac John Katumbi at St Peters Jenda Outstation- Ash Wednesday

St Theresa Parish Priest Father Sam Ng’oma said he will encourage the Christians to observe the Lenten season with dedication.

St Peters Jenda Outstation
St Peters Jenda Outstation

During the Lenten season, Christians are encouraged to do charity work, self-reflection, fasting as they remembering the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

Keep Walking and be Strong in faith-MCCB President

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.

Bishop Anwel Mtumbuka President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishop- encouraging the youths to keep walking
Bishop Anwel Mtumbuka President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops- encouraging the youths to keep walking.

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).

Bishop Nyirenda of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu with other bishops and the youths after the opening mass of the National Youth Conference
Bishop Nyirenda of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu with other bishops, priests, facilitators and the youths after the opening mass of the National Catholic Youth Conference

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.

Bishop Chaima leading the youths in tree planting exercise at Mary Mount Secondary School
Bishop Alfred Chaima leading the youths in tree planting exercise at Mary Mount Secondary School

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.

Bishop Yohane Nyirenda handed over the youth cross and candles from Mzuzu diocese to Dedza Diocese youths
Dedza Diocese youths celebrating after receiving the cross and the candle from Mzuzu diocese accepting the responsibility of hosting the 2026 National Catholic Youth Conference

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The Pastoral Director of Mzuzu Diocese at Kafulu-fulu
Kafulu-fulu Outstation Urged to Support the Growth of their Parish
The Pastoral Director of Mzuzu Diocese at Kafulu-fulu
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 Diocese of Mzuzu has a new Bishop
Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda
Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda

By Susan Moyo

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.