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
Thu
10
Sep 2026
Catholic women from across the Diocese of Chikwawa begin a three-day gathering today at Tengani Parish in Nsanje District. The meeting runs from Thursday 10 September to Saturday 12 September 2026 under the theme “The Year of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Its focus is “The Catholic Woman, Messenger of Hope in the Family,” inviting every Catholic woman to grow as a bearer of hope within her home. Fr Felix Bzyakulima, Chaplain of the Catholic Women Association in the Diocese, will guide the participants on their spiritual journey and practical Christian living. Sessions will cover how a Catholic woman serves faithfully in the home, the parish and the wider community. Participants will also learn about Synodality, the shared journey of the Church, which rests on one baptism and one faith in God for all Catholics throughout the world. Mrs Nancy Chilenje, Chairlady of the Catholic Women Association in Chikwawa Diocese, said the aim is that every woman leaves the meeting ready to serve her family, her community and her Church with renewed strength. She expressed gratitude to the priests and sisters who prepared the programme, noting that their support helps the women walk together in unity. Beyond spiritual formation, the gathering will offer skills training, including simple business ideas that help mothers improve the lives of their families. Women will also share practical ways of facing the daily challenges that arise in the home. By: Communications Department
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Wed
9
Sep 2026
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), has organized a stakeholders workshop aiming to asses and explore more ways of making the commission and its activities visible. The workshop which will run from 9th to 10th September 2026, at Linde Motel in Mponela. Addressing the house at the opening of the workshop, Lewis Msiyadungu, National CCJP Coordinator, mentioned on the need of the Church and CCJP in particular, to keep pace with the current trends in media and communication so that the impact of the commission does not only reach the targeted community but the wider community as well. Setting the tone at the beginning of the workshop, Dr Peter Chinoko, one of the lead facilitators, said the workshop is not about media but the voice. He recalls the 30 years that the CCJP have been seen as the voice of the voiceless. Among the topics to be shared are: diagnosis of CCJP’s visibility, Understanding Media landscape, relationships and collaborations with all stakeholders. CCJP is a branch of the Social Services Directorate that deals with issues of governance.
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Sat
5
Sep 2026
The Diocese of Chikwawa has concluded a three-day Eucharistic Congress held from Thursday to Saturday, 3 to 5 September 2026, at Jubilee Square, Chikwawa Cathedral. The Congress was held under the theme “Eucharist: Source and Summit of our Christian Life and Mission.” Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa, Bishop of Chikwawa, was the main celebrant and led the gathering of priests, religious sisters, catechists and the lay faithful. The programme included Eucharistic celebrations, sessions on the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Penance, adoration and Benediction. The Congress reached its high point on Friday with a Eucharistic procession from Chikwawa Cathedral to St Lawrence Girls Secondary School. Speaking during the gathering, Bishop Musikuwa said the aim was to help the faithful understand more deeply the meaning of the Eucharist in their Christian life and mission. He asked that similar gatherings be held more often so that Christians may know the meaning of the Eucharist, the reverence due to it and other related matters. The Bishop also thanked everyone who took part and helped make the Congress possible. On Saturday, Vicar General Fr Cosmas Chasukwa closed the event on behalf of the Bishop and thanked all the groups that served in different ways. He asked them to keep offering the same service at other church celebrations. John Nyaika, who chairs the body that represents the laity in the Diocese, said the Eucharist had shown that the people want to remain one. He said the faithful of Chikwawa Diocese are ready to take up the different works of the Church and asked those who are able to keep supporting the Church. Fr Matthews Kamiza, who coordinates liturgical events in the Diocese, specially thanked the parishes of Chikwawa, Nchalo and Ngabu for sending choirs, girls who serve at the altar and boys who serve at the altar. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion from various groups and parishes were sprinkled with holy water and given the items they need for their ministry. By: Communication’s Department
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Fri
4
Sep 2026
Bishop Peter Musikuwa has called on Christians in his Diocese to develop deep love for the sacrament of the Eucharist, stressing that it is not just a commemoration but the reliving of the sacrifice of Christ. The Bishop made the remarks during the official opening of the Diocesan Eucharistic congress at St Michael’s cathedral in Chikwawa, on 3rd September, 2026. Citing the scripture from St Paul, the Bishop said Paul does not only recite the memory of what happened but he relives the sacrifice of Christ as he preaches to his listeners. The bishop concluded his sermon by expressing his desire that this congress be celebrated at parish level to accord more Christians opportunity to pray. Speaking at the beginning of the congress, Fr Samson Kayuni who is the Diocesan pastoral secretary, read out the objectives of congress namely; raising awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, help improve understanding and celebration of the liturgy, and learn the social dimension of the Eucharist. The day began with the enthronement and adoration of the blessed sacrament, official opening, and confessions. Later in the day, two sessions were given followed by Eucharistic adoration to end the day’s activities. The congress concludes on Saturday, 5th September 2026.
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