The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP)
This is an arm of the Social services Directorate mandated to deal with issues relating to promotion of justice and peace.Its efforts center on upholding human dignity through institutionalizing principles of democracy, respect for human rights and freedoms, citizen participation, good governance, rule of law, and promoting access to quality public services.
Purpose
Goal
Mission
CCJP is currently implementing the following projects:
Donor: Non Funded
Impact Area: Nsanje, Chikwawa, parts of Thyolo and Blantyre
Project Overview: This non-funded initiative remains vital to CCJP’s mission, ensuring access to legal aid and advocacy for the poor and marginalized. Through paralegal services, CCJP upholds the Church’s commitment to justice, dignity, and human rights, assisting those who face legal and social injustices. Despite the absence of funding, this service validates the existence of CCJP in the Diocese and continues to support vulnerable communities in seeking justice. Project Duration: Ongoing
Project Duration: On going
Donor: National Democratic Institute
Impact Area: Nsanje, Chikwawa, parts of Thyolo and Blantyre
Project Overview: Chisankho Watch (CW) is a coalition of four organizations namely: Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Gender and Justice Unit (CJU), the Meeting Hub (mHub) and Public Affairs Committee (PAC). This coalition is dedicated to monitoring and enhancing the electoral process in the lead up to the 2025 general elections and thereafter. The aim of the coalition is to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process with technical and financial support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Project Duration: Ongoing
Project Duration: On going
Donor: UNDP
Impact Area: Nsanje, Chikwawa, parts of Thyolo and Blantyre
Project Overview: This initiative promotes women’s active engagement in the 2025 General Elections through civic education and awareness programs. By empowering women with knowledge about their rights and the electoral process, the project fosters inclusive and democratic participation. Key Objectives: Increase civic knowledge among women. Empower women to participate in elections and decision-making. Foster an inclusive and diverse political environment. Project Duration: Ongoing
Project Duration: On going
Donor: It is being funded by the World Bank through the Malawi government
Impact Area: It covers the Following TAs of Chikwawa: TA Kasisi, TA Mlilima, TA Ndakwera, TA Maseya, and TA Lundu
The project seeks to establish and strengthen mechanisms through which people can prevent, report, and mitigate cases of GBV especially those that relate to the Shire Valley Transformation Program (SVTP). The project strives to reduce the risks of GBV that may arise from the multi-billion kwacha SVTP—which has brought forth labor influx and boosted economic activities in surrounding communities. Implementation Areas: The project is being implemented in the following Traditional Authorities: TA Kasisi, TA Mlilima, TA Ndakwera, TA Maseya and TA Lundu in Chikwawa District. Project Duration and phases The project runs for 4 years. It is being implemented in the phases below: First Phase: May 2020 – May 2022 Second Phase: April 2024 – April 2026
Project Duration: May 2020 - May 2022
Featured News
Tue
9
Sep 2025
Catholic priests under the Malawi conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) who have served for five years and under, are convening in Kachebere, Mchinji. The gathering, which began on 9th September and runs till 12th September 2025, aims at offering sessions for reflection about their early years of priesthood, leading to renewal. Bishop Alfred Chaima of the Diocese of Zomba, who is Bishop Chairperson for the Pastoral Commission, welcomed all and thanked them for their coming. He thanked the under-five priests for the significant sacrifice of leaving their duties to attend this session, emphasizing that this retreat is a vital opportunity for reflection and communal growth. He assured them that the session was a moment to make good use of their time together in a spirit of support. Taking his turn, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, President of the MCCB expressed deep gratitude to the young priests for their dedicated service in the Lord’s vineyard and thanked the bishops for their national pastoral leadership. He noted the Church’s commitment to forming priests through various initiatives. He also posed a profound question for reflection: in this changing and challenging world, are we holding fast to the inspiring examples we once followed? He later reminded the priests of the Church’s trust and confidence in them. The meeting has drawn participants from all the 8 Dioceses in the country.
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Sat
16
Aug 2025
Bishop Peter Martin Musikuwa of the Diocese of Chikwawa, has called on newly professed sisters of Mary Consoler of the Afflicted to follow the example of Mary who braved the hilly escarpments to pay her cousin Elizabeth a visit, by living their life as religious as pilgrims of hope, readying themselves to meet challenges and problems as they seek to serve Him. The remarks were made at St Michaels Cathedral Chikwawa during a celebration where four novices and four sisters made their professions. Qouting from the book or Revelations, the Bishop highlighted how satan tempts and deceives those that commit to follow him. “Every vocation, he says, is a cross that all must carry. It is only with the help of God that those that commit themselves to a calling, remain faithful. Therefore, Mary stands out as an example to be followed.” The novices that are making their first professions are: Matilda Ganizani Marko , Nelia Dzombe, Grace Chilowa and Stella Malanda. Sisters Roseamary Mnembe, Victoria Yohane, Jesse Ndawala and Martha Harah will be making their final or perpetual professions. Mary Consoller of the Afflicted is a local congregation for sisters in the Diocese of Chikwawa. It was founded by late Bishop Felix Mkhori, who was the first indigenous local ordinary for the Diocese.
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Wed
30
Jul 2025
A total of 40 Children have departed from the Diocese for the Children’s Congress in Lilongwe. They have been accompanied by 4 animators. The Children’s congress is the first to be held in Malawi. It promises to be an enriching experience for the children. It is a clear sign of the Church’s efforts to nurture the faith of children as they grow. The congress will be graced by Ines Paulo, the Secretary General for Pontifical Mission Societies for Holy childhood in Rome, Kizito Nthundu, National PMS Director for Zimbabwe and 15 other delegates from Zimbabwe. The congress will run from 30th July to 4th August 2025, at Don Bosco parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
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Fri
27
Jun 2025
The road to September 16 elections has already signaled volatility and danger. Episodes of violence and counter violence seem to have taken center stage. Just yesterday, violence and anarchy reigned supreme in Lilongwe as peaceful demonstrations turned hostile and violent. in the wake if this, Catholic Bishops in Malawi have strongly condemned the acts describing them as concerning. Through a statement produced by the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), the Bishops have with one voice stood up in what they call in defense of democracy. “In defense of democracy and peace, we condemn in the strongest terms possible, all forms of violence and lawless behavior which we have noted over the recent months/days.” said the statement. Drawing their inspiration from scripture, the Bishops while quoting Mt 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God, the Bishops recall the neutrality in partisan politics and therefore call on all Catholics, and all people of good will to remain united in spite of political differences, to preaching and living Christ’s supreme commandment of love. The call by the Roman Catholic authorities comes after peaceful demonstrations meant to force resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission for alleged failure to address electoral stakeholders concerns most notably the refusal to have independent audit of the Smartmatic system of managing the elections. During the demonstrations, senior actives were beaten and ambushed in full view of security agents as Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Police Service. Meanwhile, the US embassy has released a statement condemning the violence and the seeming failure to carry out duty by security agents. The diplomatic mission in the Malawi has released a statement on the same.
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