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
13
Mar 2025
Schools that had been ordered to suspend classes due to cyclone Jude, resume classes today 13th March 2025. The order is communicated in a public notice released by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. “The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is pleased to inform the general public, and in particular students, parents and guardians, that following updates and recommendations by the Department of Climate change and Meteorological Services, classes for Primary and secondary schools will reopen on Thursday 13th March 2025. The cyclone is now leaving the country and its effects having significantly diminished.” Read the notice. This order goes to all districts and education divisions that had been ordered to suspend classes as they were affected by cyclone. Signed by Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education, the Ministry has however given the Lower shire valley districts of Nsanje and Chikwawa autonomy to decide on the reopening schools depending on their local situation. Schools in these districts are likely to delay reopening as evidenced by videos and photos on social media, of school blocks that are surrounded by flooding waters, in Nchalo for example. Schools in the Southern part of the country had been suspended earlier this week in response to the tropical cyclone Jude that was likely to affect districts in the region.
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Mon
10
Mar 2025
Pastoral agents and other key leaders of different lay groups in Nsanje deanery held a meeting on Saturday 8th March 2025 to strategize on different aspects of its mission. The meeting took place at St Kalemba parish Bangula drawing participants from all the members of the clergy, sisters, representative for the laity, youth, Catholic Men Association, Catholic Women Association, Pontifical Mission Societies, choir, Christian Family Movement and catechists serving in the deanery. During the meeting, deanery leadership was introduced to all members. Among the agenda items was the Jubilee year where participants were taught on its history, logo and its symbolism and also events that are lined up to mark the year. Speaking during the meeting, Fr Patrick Jambo who is parish priest for St Kalemba parish and dean of Nsanje deanery, to optimize the Jubilee year in seeking reconciliation and forgiveness. “A Jubilee year as a year of spiritual conversion, a year of celebration where people reconcile and begin anew. A year to be filled with joy” Remarked Fr Jambo. On his part, Mr John Nyaika, Diocesan Laity chairperson lauded the Jubilee year as a time to rebuild and refresh hope in God. Pope Francis announced the Jubilee year on 24th December 2024 and it will run to 6th January 2026. Later in the day, participants held discusions to have an action plan, on the welfare of priests and preparations for ordination to priesthood later this year. Nsanje deanery is made of Nsanje Parish, Tengani parish, St Kalemba and Ngabu parish.
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Mon
10
Mar 2025
Following the announcement of an impending cyclone Jude, forecasted by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, the Ministry of Higher Education has issued a directive suspending all classes in the affected districts. The suspension is from Monday 10th March to Thursday 13th March 2025, depending on further updates. Dr Lewis Keliyasi Eneya, who is the Director for Higher Education, signed the directive, stating that this is a precautionary measure to avoid exposing both teachers and students or leaners to any dangers. The Department for Climate Change and Meteorological Services on Saturday 8th March released an update on weather warming on an imminent tropical storm Jude. The warning stated that the storm will land in the Southern Malawi on Monday 10th March 20205, expecting to bring rainfall in the affected districts. Until now, the progress of the storm has remained true to the forecast with the recent update announcing the landing of the storm in Mozambique. The affected districts are Balaka, Zomba, Mangochi, Machinga, Mulanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Neno, Mwanza, Ntcheu, Dedza and Salima. The Diocese of Chikwawa whose area of jurisdiction covers Chikwawa, Nsanje, parts of Blantrye and Thyolo expects to experience the cyclone. This area is one of the regions that is most affected by such climatic conditions.
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Sun
9
Mar 2025
The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), has today, 9th March 2025, released a pastoral letter titled “Who will roll away the stone for us?” a guide and reflection tool as Malawi seeks an inclusive, purposeful, steadfast and peaceful journey towards 2025 General elections. In adherence to their long standing tradition that dates back to 1961, the Bishops have issued the 29th Pastoral letter to guide Christians in this Lenten season, in this year of jubilee that seeks to deepen our faith, and so help prepare for the elections due to take place in September this year. In the letter, the Catholics bishops begin by referring to the experience of the three woman that journeyed to see the tomb of Jesus. Filled with anxiety about their own limitations, they women wondered if they would manage to roll of the stone used to shut the entrance to the tomb. However, they found the stone already rolled off. Drawing inspiration from such an event, the Bishops remind the faithful that the resurrection of Jesus is testimony that there is nothing and indeed no stone that cannot be removed or overcome by God. It from this promise that the Bishops, while recalling the various “stones” that Malawians face today, their anxiety should not be like that of the women. Rather they must be filled with hope that the problems that Malawians face today can be solved by having right leaders to rule this country. Therefore, the Bishops have called on all Malawians eligible to vote, to avail themselves in September to vote, and vote wisely, for leaders that will help to roll away the different stones that have hindered the prosperity of the nation. Among the problems facing Malawians mentioned in the later are; corruption, lack of seriousness on the part of political leaders, lack of general mentality to produce and enhance exports, donor dependence, lack of patriotism, food insecurity and high cost of living among others. Signed by all the Catholic Bishops in Malawi, the pastoral letter has been read in all Catholic Churches around the country. It is within the mandate of the Catholic Bishops to give guidance, correction and comfort to the people as they go through different social ills.
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