Through the meeting, section leaders provided both administrative and financial reports which painted a good picture of the movement’s growth and extended commitment from members.

For example, Bangula section boasted of bankrolling the construction of a grotto whilst Nkhathe section reported of purchasing a water tank at their Parish. The movement has also championed a successful afforestation drive with Mangochi, Nchalo, and Mitondo sections all reporting of planting trees which are still being well taken care of.

In his remarks, YCW Diocesan President, James Chinsewu, described the reports of various initiatives from sections as quite encouraging.

“The initiatives that have been highlighted here by Section representatives paint a very good picture of the movement. It shows we are alive and growing. I wish to urge all of us to work extra harder especially on wooing other young people to join the movement”Chinsewu said.

He nevertheless mentioned Covid-19 as a major set-back that has disturbed the implementation of various activities at Diocesan level.Through the President, the Diocesan Executive also gave a report of upcoming events which members should be preparing for. Among key upcoming events are Diocesan Annual General Meeting, Enrolment, and official launch of YCW at Mitondo Parish. The diocese will also participate in the upcoming National AGM which is scheduled for December 2021.

During the meeting, the participants were also reminded of a YCW cloth business drive championed at national level. Members were hence urged to buy the cloth which is being sold at K4500 per 2 meters. Individual sections are also required to pay K20, 000 as a contribution towards the production of the cloth, currently budgeted at a total of 8 million kwacha.

Father Shadreck Malata of Nchalo Parish who graced the event revealed the level of trust that the church has on the movement. He said the evangelization mission of the church highly relies on the commitment and dedication that the youth render on various activities within the church. He then advised the Young leaders to be exemplary and live within the values of the church.

In his remarks, the Diocesan Youth Chaplain, Father John Lockie, commended the Diocesan Leadership for organising the meeting from which leaders have shared experiences. He later confirmed of the upcoming Diocesan elections, urging members to elect people that will take the movement to another level.

“In the coming elections, I want advise all of us here to elect people that are hardworking and very dedicated to the objectives of YCW. Let’s not elect people that are inactive. We want to see the movement grow”Fr. Lockie pleaded.

In preparations to the coming elections, all individual sections within the Diocese are expected to elect their leaders who will later contest at Diocesan level.

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Seating as the Proprietor of the hospital, Bishop Musikuwa, franked by several dignitaries, led the highly decorated occasion which came as a sigh of relief for the local communities. Built to the tune of 60 million Kwacha (excluding equipment and furniture), the new theatre replaces an old theatre which was, at best, archaic.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Bishop Musikuwa described the new facility as a life-saving blessing to the people of Mangochi and beyond.

“This is a moment which we all have been craving for. We have always been praying for quality health services in our hospitals and this is another memorable milestone. Surely, this facility will go another step to enhance the healing ministry of the Church”. Said Bishop Musikuwa

He also expressed gratitude to the donors and further urged hospital staff to put the theatre to its right use. “Words will fail me if I am to express how thankful the diocese of Mangochi is to the people of Japan and fellow well-wishers. This is an expensive gift and you have proved to be true freinds. Let me also urge management and Staff of St Montfort to ensure that the theatre is being used effectively to the benefit of the people” He said.

The handover ceremony was decorated by the presence of several dignitaries including, Paramount Chief Lundu, Member of Parliament for the area, Salimu Bagus, Acting District Commissioner, Dr Zimkanda, and officials from Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM). It was also spiced up by performances in the arrangement of poetry, traditional dances and music.

Speaking after officially handing-over the facility, Japanese Deputy Ambassador to Malawi, who was also Guest of honor, Hirotsugu Ikeda, expressed contentment with how the Hospital authorities have managed their donated funds for the project. He also urged other partners including Malawi government and Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) to continue supporting the facility in order for the hospital to serve the targeted community better.

In their collaboration, the Embassy of Japan granted 60 million kwacha which cartered for the construction of the facility while Action Medeor furnished the facility with the much needed equipment at a cost of 80 million Malawi kwacha. On the other hand, Dzukawala women Group donated furniture for the theatre which amounted to 2.8 million Malawi Kwacha.

According to acting DC for Mangochi, Dr Zimkanda, Mangochi district had only two hospitals with Operating theatres, a situation which has been contributing to high maternal mortality rates. He therefore expressed hope for a drop in the same with launch of the new facility.

“Indeed, the new facility will enhance the Hospital’s services provided to the 180, 000 people in its vicinity. When operations start, the theatre will be providing emergency and general services to pregnant women and the general community” Said Zimkanda.

Meanwhile, the Hospital’s authorities are still sounding an SOS for the upgrading of the hospital’s mortuary which is in a dilapidated state.

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Drawn from the papal declaration, this year’s vocation Sunday has been celebrated under the theme “Called to service after the example of St Joseph”.

Celebrating the event, the diocesan youth chaplain, Fr John Lockie, interacted with youths from Changoima. In his homily, Fr Lockie urged the youth to be shepherds to another.

“Just as Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, we must all aim at being some good shepherds in our vocations. This means that our intentions in following a certain way of life must be purely to serve God in that life and not act as hired shepherds who don’t mind their duty but their dues”
said Fr Lockie.

Apart from learning about the significance of vacations this was also a chance for the chaplain to interact with the youths and hear out their challenges.

Decorated by motivation speeches and some spicing activities, the celebration also offered an opportunity to youths in the parishes to interact and help each other on how they can grow spiritually.

The vocation Sunday event was also held in other dioceses across the country. The national event was held in Dedza diocese.

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In a press statement released by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, the Bishops, from all dioceses of the country, acknowledge the prevalence of myths, misinformation and conspiracies which have put to scrutiny the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. But the Bishops have moved in to dispel the falsehood peddled against the jab, arguing in all confidence that it is safe.

“We are aware of the fears and mixed feelings that some people might have towards COVID19 vaccine especially on safety and effectiveness of the vaccine that the Government of Malawi has received. We note such sentiments with care and wish to remind all people that the Church has always shared the government’s concern for the health of people”

In the statement, the Bishops explain that they are highly contented with the assurance that they have been given by local health experts and a decree from the church itself.

“Having consulted health experts, and received guidance from the Decree of the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State No. 398 (issued on 8th February 2021 on the subject of health emergencies), we strongly encourage all Catholics and people of goodwill that it is morally appropriate to receive the COVID-19 vaccine that Malawi has received”

They further emphasized that the preservation of any life is a fundamental value of the Holy Catholic church adding that the clergy would always advocate for a means that is neither sanctioning or punitive in nature but which strikes a balance between protecting collective health and individual freedom of choice; without being oppressive to anyone.

In a demonstration of confidence and trust in the vaccine, Archbishop Thomas Msusa who is the head of the Catholic Church in Malawi, was among the first to get vaccinated today in Zomba where government launched the mass vaccination campaign.

President Lazarus Chakwera led the launch of the campaign in the old Capital while his vice, Saulos Chilima graced a similar occasion in Nzuzu. The launch comes barely 5 days after the arrival of the first batch of 360,000 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine in the country.

The first episode of the mass vaccination among others prioritizes front line health workers, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

Given that the first phase will only benefit a small percentage of Malawians, the Bishops have further implored Malawians to continue protecting themselves and others by properly wearing face masks, frequently washing hands with soap and keeping physical distance as per the guidance of COVID-19 containment measures.

They also called on government to speed up the procuring process of the second batch of the vaccine.

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It was established in 1967

It is found in Mangochi district

Its postal address is Box 110 Chapananga

The area is generally flat with less mobility problems. However, seasonal earth roads provide a challenge during rains and wet seasons

Farming and animal husbandry are the main preoccupations of the people in this area.

The parish has a population of  6109     Catholics

The parish priest is Fr Peter Gift Ntayamanja

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