The Bishops under the umbrella body, Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), launched the relief response targeting 573 households in the area with each one of them receiving two 10 kilogrammes of flour, one bucket, a packet of sugar, salt, blanket, two cups and one bottle of cooking oil.

Speaking during the launch, President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Arch Bishop, George Desmond Tambala who was also the guest of honour to the event, said the development showed oneness as Malawians.

He said the catholic church advocates for togetherness without looking at one’s religious affiliations in all circumstances.

“What we present here are a few items representing more support that is coming in. It is my plea to the leadership of the two camps to apply honesty as you distribute the relief items,” said Arch Bishop Tambala

On his part, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Mangochi Diocese hailed fellow bishops for the kind and rare gesture.

Bishop Musikuwa said the development expressed as to what extent the bishops were concerned with the development which has left many people hopeless.

“We have lost a lot of belongings following moderate tropical effects. Houses have collapsed, farms destroyed and many more items. Our support today demonstrate that we are with you and do not lose any hope.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who rendered a helping hand in this. This support will assist many to start new life. Let’s take care of it,” stated Bishop Musikuwa

He further said, due to other global effects like Covid-19, many institutions have also been affected and is becoming more difficult to get support.

“It is not that people do not wish to help but the circumstances we have gone through. Let’s all come together in finding lasting solution to all these,” he added

The bishop singled out pregnant, lactating mothers and the aged as most hit calling on other well wishers to also not give a blind eye to learners who also lost school related materials when moderate tropical Ana had hit.

Taking his turn, Paramount Chief Lundu of Mangochi district appreciated the bishops for their coming to witness the devastating effects of moderate tropical

He said more people were greatly affected and that the situation needed more support from all corners of the country and beyond.

The paramount chief then called for seeds and other farming inputs saying people needed to replant.

Mangochi district council, Principal Administrative Officer, Allan Kazembe, echoed Paramount Chief Lundu sentiments saying as government they were grateful at support by the bishops.

He said government alone cannot do everything looking at how things are at the moment.

He assured the flood survivors of continued support saying the council was doing all it could that no one is left behind.

The post Catholic Bishops feed Tropical Storm Ana survivors in Mangochi appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

According to a narrative by Fr Alfeo Boloma, who is the secretary to the Bishop, thugs, who were armed with pangas and other dangerous weapons, made way into the premises through the eastern side of the entrance, and stationed themselves at different locations within.

When they made way into the fence, some thugs came to them main door of the house and tried to open it forcefully.

“It was around twenty past one that these thugs entered our premises. First to alert me, were footsteps that I heard, and thought it was one of the guards making their usual security rounds. No sooner had I thought about this, than did I heard them whisper to each other. They then came to the main door which they began forcing it to open. At this point, I was sure that we were under attack” Narrated Fr Boloma.

Having successfully opened the door, they went up the second floor of the house, and began checking and looking for the room where the Bishop sleeps.

At this time, Fr Boloma had hid himself behind an open door for one of the toilets in the house, while the bishop was still in his room.

Finding no one, they went into the dining room and made way to the sisters who are being housed at the guest wing of the residence. The thugs broke broke into bedrooms of three sisters and demanded for money from them. “We know you are sisters from India and we do not want to harm you; just give us the money you have brought and we will go”. One sister recalled.

The thugs then searched in all the rooms and went away with some items.

Meanwhile, as Fr Boloma hid, he managed to call the Officer in Charge for Mangochi police who assured him that officers were on the way, having already received a call from the Bishop. The officers arrived at the bishops place an hour later after the thieves had gone, and stayed around for as little as 15 minutes.

The Officer In Charge came in the morning to appreciate the situation. Later on officers from the regional headquarters of police arrived and assured that two officers will be deployed every night to offer security to the place.

The thugs went away with a travelling bag and some clothes, 2 laptops from the sisters, three mobile phones and other small gadgets plus cash amounting to twenty thousand kwacha.

This is not the first time that the Bishop’s residence in Mangochi has been attacked by robbers.

The post Thugs break into Bishop’s house appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

Duties and responsibilities

• Preparing health tips and talks to patients.
• Preparing duty roasters.
• Supervising junior staff and Nurses in maternity (Labour Ward).
• Supervising recording of data in relevant registers
• Any other duties that may be deemed reasonable for the post.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• University Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery from a reputable academic institution Registered with the Nurses and Midwives’ Council of Malawi

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a practicing Nurse, preferably in a government or CHAM setting plus managerial roles of supervising fellow Nurses.

Remuneration and Mode of Application

CHAM remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered to the successful candidate.

If you believe you meet the above requirements, submit your application letter, up-to-date curriculum vitae and copies of certificates and names of three traceable referees to the address below indicating the position applied for.  Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 18^th February, 2022 and only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

The Director of Social Services

Diocese of Mangochi

PO Box 162

Mangochi

Email: ckdiocesevacancies@gmail.com

Diocese of Mangochi is an equal employer and qualified women are encouraged to apply.

The post VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

Blessedness through service in for the Lord

We often hear of people’s prayers to God asking to be favored in a way. The favors are a sign from God that one is blessed. as such blessedness is equated to having earthly goodies and enjoying them.

This is quite a contrast to what God’s word today is telling us; “Blessed are the poor in spirit” Jesus proclaims.

This is a special call to Christians to consider their understanding of blessedness. The script behind Jesus description of different forms of blessedness is far much deeper in content that could be considered at face value. Jesus preached a blessed life that sprouts from a service that every human person renders to another and God often accompanied by suffering.

All the descriptions he gives are reminiscent of a life that puts itself on the knife’s edge for the sake of other people and the gospel; service. He even goes further to suggest if understood literally that riches and good things are prerequisites for life in hell. However, this would only be true if people understood their material wellness as the utmost goal of their life neglecting the needs of other who are suffering. This would be true if people commit to do anything that it takes as long as they get material goods.

Prophet Jeremiah in the first reading says that cursed are those that put their trust in fellow human beings and forsake the Lord. These are people who have everything or whatever it takes to flourish in the world but are not rooted in God and so like plants in the desert they will wither away and fade. It is a call to trust God at all times and seek his service as the first in our lives.

Paul says even in death, those that believed in the Lord are blessed. They shall rise with Jesus and reign in his kingdom. What a privilege and honor.

Let us all remain blessed by serving the Lord and reap rewards of everlasting life and joy.

God bless you all.

The post <strong>Homily for Sunday: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time</strong> appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

The district CSO network made the remarks during a press briefing which they organized in the lower Shire district which is perhaps the most affected area. Speaking on the sidelines of the briefing, Chairperson of the Network, Lewis Msiyadungu, said the CSO network is duty bound to ensure that every disaster donation meets its intended purpose, which is to alleviate the discomforts brought forth by the tropical storm.

“In times like these, some people would mobilize disaster funds and resources but, in the end, divert them to their homes and pockets. There are also some bad practices which tend to occur at community level including deliberate unfair and inequitable distribution of relief items. The CSO network is quite vigilant and will put to task all individuals involved in such malpractices”

Msiyadungu further appealed to both national and International organization to consult local structures and stakeholders in providing aid to affected households. He argues that the tendency of bypassing district stakeholders has further aggravated unfair and imbalanced distribution of relief items.

“We would love if there was more coordination in the provision of disaster response in which case every organization or individuals of good make proper consultations of where to take their donations to. Failure to do this will land us into a situation where some affected communities have been immensely assisted while others have gotten minimal if not none of the donations”

Indeed, as the remarks were being made, there were concerns from some evacuation camps which, purportedly, had not been reached with assistance despite many organizations and individuals posting of providing relief items in evacuation camps.

The statement dated 10^th February has overly called for concerted efforts in responding to the disaster, with consideration to both short term and long-term impact of the disaster. It also offered a foresight over issues of human rights as well as women and child protection. It, in this regard, called upon all CSOs to be vigilant in safeguarding the welfare of women and children.

On a different note, Anderson Biliati, the CSOs Network vice chairperson bemoaned a tragic accident which had occurred at. The accident claimed three lives. There are reports that there were no road signs placed at the place after flooding waters slid apart the road. It is hence the position of the network that responsible departments should have inserted warnings signs at the place.

“We may understand that the storm came with unprecedented damage such that governments departments and everyone else were overwhelmed. We nevertheless, expect responsible entities to act with speed on specific areas like in this case putting road signs where roads were cut by the flooding waters”

The cyclone Ana hailstorm has displaced over 25 thousand households in Mangochi and damaged over a thousand hectares of crop fields. To this date, 26 people are confirmed dead while 19 are still missing.

The post Mangochi CSOs warn of corrupt practices in Disaster Response appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

The post Announcement: Celebration of World Day for the Sick postponed appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

Dated 5^th February 2022, and signed by the secretary general for Episcopal conference, the letter is a show of obedience and adherence to catholic social teaching which among other things advocate for a deliberate choice of action for the suffering. The church teaches that Christian have to take a preferential option for the afflicted in order to show them Gods love and care.

The bishops have therefore decided that, Sunday 13^th February 2022, should be set aside as a day when all churches must have special collection which will be used to assist the affected families.

“It is against this background that the Catholic Bishops are kindly requesting you to inform all Parish priests to announce their resolution about this special Sunday collection on Sunday, 6th February 2022 in all parishes in order to prepare the faithful to contribute generously in cash and kind.” Reads part of the communique.

 Among the most critical items required are the following: Maize flour, tinned fish, cooking oil, rice, soya pieces, drinking water, plastic buckets, ORS, plastic plates, clothes, cash etc.

The southern part of Malawi recently experienced heavy rains that caused flooding in other parts, mainly the lower shire valley districts of Nsanje and Mangochi, claiming lives and property, but also destroyed houses in the upland areas of Thyolo and Phalombe among others.

The post Bishops sanction solidarity Sunday towards flood victims appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

National Director of social services under the episcopal conference of Malawi, Fr Chigamba, has appealed for more concerted efforts in responding to the impact of the Cyclone Ana that ravaged several districts in the Southern Part of Malawi. He made the call during a visit to some of the hard-hit areas of Mangochi district.

According to Fr Chigamba, the storm has drifted many communities into states of ruins; compromising almost each and every aspect of life. This in his view demands for more collaboration amongst various stakeholders in addressing both short-term and long-term impact of the disaster.

“The recent heavy downpour has indeed wreaked havoc and rendered many people destitute. The tales of the affected people in the two camps we visited are quite paralyzing. urgently, we have to attend to the immediate needs of the people and these include food and clothes. At the same time, we also have to address the long-term adversities within sectors of education and social welfare, just to mention”

“Looking at this precarious situation we, the non-state actors, need to collaborate in order to address all these afflictions”

Fr Chigamba said

The visit was organized by ECM through CADECOM to appreciate the damage caused by the disaster for possible interventions. It certainly conjured images of despair with many houses tossed to the ground and fields of crops swept away. A visit to Bereu police camp which accommodates about 230 people revealed that the victims do not even have food for the next day.

It also appears that the storm had a heavy blow on education with many schools in the affected areas yet to reopen for classes. Headteacher for Nasanja primary school, Gerald Malunga, has cast doubt over immediate resumption of classes.

“We are trying our best to resume normal classes, but many of our learning materials including text books and chalk were washed away. The walls of the classrooms also pose risks of collapsing. Even the learners lost their exercise books in their homes”

CADECOM National Coordinator, Chimwemwe Sekunda has hence called on government to expedite its post disaster recovery programs in order to achieve a quick restoration of normalcy. She has also appealed to all people of good will to make donations through the commission.

Echoing the need for concerted efforts, CCJP National Coordinal Coordinator, Boniface Chibwana added that issues of human Rights also ought to be given a birds’ eye attention.

“Where we have a disaster of this magnitude, issues of rights violations can be very common. For example, in the camps we have visited there are young girls who are currently not attending classes and lacking basic needs. Our worry is that some people may want to take advantage of their situation and entice them.  Eventually issues of early marriages and pregnancies may crop in in these camps”

Chibwana has hence challenged other non-state actors to visit the affected camps and appreciate the situation and eventually collaborate after setting right priorities.

The cyclone Ana hailstorm has displaced over 25 thousand households and damaged over a thousand hectares of crop fields in Mangochi. To this date, 13 people are confirmed dead while 19 are still missing.

The post Church calls for more concerted response to Cyclone Ana Disaster appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

The catholic diocese of Mangochi has called on organizations and people of good will to join hands in its efforts of bettering the living conditions of people who have been affected by flooding due to Cyclone Anna. The call was made through a press statement cosigned by Bishop Musikuwa of the diocese and Father Mathews Semba who is the director of the Social Services.

In its opening statement, the diocese recalls its duty to respond to social issues and problems that affect people in the territory, through the social services directorate. In the present scenario, the diocese is looking for ways it can help in its relief efforts that will alleviate the suffering of the people in the Shire Valley region, due to flooding which has claimed lives of ten people and many other lives are yet to be accounted for. Therefore, the diocese is calling on well-wishers to assist in these efforts by donating both in monetary form or otherwise.

“The Diocese has established that well over 20,000 households are in dire need urgent help with basic life necessities. Most of their possessions have been washed away with the flooding waters leaving thousands helpless. Those that have managed to get to camps find themselves sleeping in the cold and  without enough to eat.” Reads part of the statement.

The diocese is looking for items like tents, kitchen utensils, tarpaulins, chlorine, mosquito nets, soap, dignity kits, money, sanitary pads, maize flour, cooking oil fish, beans, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, lighting, solar, cooking materials, fuel, energy saving stoves, beddings and clothes among others.  

The diocese has set aside a special account through which donations can be made. Donations in form of money can be sent through the following: Bank name: Diocese of Mangochi, FDH Bank, Mangochi Branch, number 11 00000 223 148. TNM Mpamba 0885 70 36 25 and Airtel Money 0999 95 08 39.

The lower shire districts of Nsanje and Mangochi have been the most hit by effects of cyclone Anna with most of the streams and big rivers flooding the surrounding land surface.

The post Diocese of Mangochi pleads for help appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.

Created for a purpose

Artisans are very good at bringing into reality things they merely conceived in their mind. As they do so they already fashion it in their brains how such things will work. Thus, anything will only be good if and only if it carries out the purpose for which it was made. We are all God’s creation. Just as artisan fashion how what they are bringing about will function, God created us for a purpose which we must carry out here on earth.

Today’s readings challenge us to know what purpose we must carry for God. In the first reading the prophet Jeremiah exclaims what God declared to him that He had known him at conception. This shows that at the very moment of creation, God sets a purpose for every human person. Just as Jeremiah, we are all created for a reason and purpose. What purpose do we see ourselves fulfilling fir God? Jeremiah knew that his purpose was to preach to the people even in the midst of fierce opposition and hatred.

In the Gospel today, Jesus explains to the people the meaning of a scriptural passage he had just read; a passage that lays bare God’s ordained purpose for his life. He had been sent to bring the Good News to the poor. With this passage he does not only announce his purpose on earth but also accepts to carry out his mission. He sets an example to us that we need to know our purpose and accept to live it.

The second reading tells us that our purpose in this life is service to one another. Paul says that we can be endowed with whatever gift but without love we are nothing; we are purposeless.

Let us all remember that our purpose for living in this life is service to one another without which we all fail to serve God.

Have a blessed Sunday.

The post Homily for Sunday Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time appeared first on Diocese Of Mangochi.