Diocese of Chikwawa

The Association of Catholic Primary School Headteachers in the Diocese of Chikwawa, has been officially introduced to the Social Services Directorate. The introduction took place on Monday, 9th November 2026, at the Directorate’s offices in Chikwawa. Diocesan Education Coordinator, Geoffrey Mdala said “The Association was formed to provide a platform for Catholic primary school headteachers to share experiences leadership skills and best practices”. He said the initiative seeks to improve the quality of education while upholding Catholic values, ethos and identity in schools under the Diocese. Mr Mdala explained that the Association was established in February 2026 and currently with 35 of the 94 Catholic primary schools already registered. He added “As Education Coordinator I will continue to engage headteachers through their zones to gain more membership”. Social Services Directorate Director Father Matthews Allan Semba welcomed the Association and offered guidance for its effective operation. Interim President of the Association, Andrew Chanza, who is Headteacher of Madziabango Catholic Primary School, said “We are happy that the Association has been welcomed and the guidance we have received will help us manage it effectively”. Mr Chanza said the Directorate advised the leadership to develop an action plan to align its activities with the vision mission and priorities of the Diocese of Chikwawa. He expressed optimism that increased membership will strengthen our operations and improve learning outcomes for learners in Catholic primary schools.

The Young Christian Workers (YCW) of the Chikwawa Diocese, held their 2026 Annual General Meeting, from 6 to 8 November at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Sixty-seven young people drawn from seven parishes out of the 15 Diocese attended this year’s meeting. His Lordship Bishop Peter Musikuwa together with Diocesan Youth Chaplain Fr Stanford Sungani graced the opening Mass that marked the start of the gathering. In his opening remarks the Bishop described the meeting as an opportunity for young people to discuss concrete ideas that address the challenges facing youth today. He specifically pointed to high levels of unemployment, the growing problem of betting and limited understanding of certain Church teachings as key issues requiring attention. After the Mass participants engaged in formal discussions covering mental health and received reports from the different sections of the movement. Bishop Musikuwa further guided the young people on practical ways to resist betting as well as the dangers of drug and substance abuse. In an interview, the Diocesan Youth Chaplain stated that young people have a vital role in helping the Church build a strong future. The President for YCW, Andrew Tembo said: ‘Members have benefited greatly from this year’s meeting because we reflected on the progress we have made throughout 2026’. He added: ‘Among other achievements, we managed to secure a field where we intend to cultivate rice with the aim of supporting the activities of our organization and fostering a life of self-reliance’. Tembo further explained that young people in all parishes should deliberate among themselves and find ways of becoming self-reliant by initiating income-generating activities. He said the goal is that they may stand on their own feet and also contribute to the development of their respective parishes. Regarding mental health, Tembo said young people agreed to come together and avoid harmful habits that disturb the mind, such as excessive consumption of alcohol and gambling through betting games. He concluded: ‘We shall begin a campaign inviting young people to shun such practices by seeking other constructive means of earning a livelihood’.

Catholics have been urged to love being in lay Christian groups with the aim of finding ways to help develop the Church. His Lordship, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of the Diocese of Chikwawa said this yesterday,31st October, at St Michael’s Cathedral during a Eucharistic celebration marking the closing of the Holy month of Rosary and the Year of the Laity Day celebration. He emphasized that the major purpose of lay Christian groups in the Church is to pray for people and to assist the Church in its needs. Speaking at the same event, the Pastoral Secretary of the Diocese, Fr. Samson Kayuni, asked the lay Christians to prepare well for the major Church events that will take place next year. Fr. Kayuni thanked Bishop Musikuwa for leading the important ceremony that helped the lay Christians to better understand their role and duties. Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of the Laity Council in the Diocese, Mr. John Nyaika, said his committee will start reviewing associations and groups in the Church so that they serve properly in their duties. The event started in the morning with lessons on the responsibilities of the Laity Council, which was led by various priests serving in the diocese. The Laity Council chose Pope John Paul II as the patron saint of the association, which started in the Diocese of Dedza in 1992 after the Vatican II Council.