By the Office of Communications
On 17th June, 2023, there was a meeting between the bishop of the diocese of Mangochi, Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima with religious sisters of all congregations that are found in his diocese. This meeting was preceded by the Eucharistic celebration, which was presided over by the bishop himself. The diocese of Mangochi will be celebrating golden jubilee in September this year. By holding this meeting, it was an opportunity to assess themselves on how they have been cooperative to the work of building this diocese over those years, through collaborating with priests in the work of evangelization in the parishes in which they are found.
The bishop expressed his concern on how the sheep of the Lord in the diocese of Mangochi are left unattended to, despite having religious sisters in it, who are expected to be collaborators of priests in pastoral work in the parishes. Using scriptural passage from Mat. 16:13-20, the bishop called upon these religious sisters to ask themselves who do people say they are, especially in their places of service. He encouraged them to adopt a spirit of new evangelization and deepen their faith.
He further advised them to be available for pastoral work because they have to collaborate in this with priests in the parishes, not just working in their respective institutions found in those parishes. The virtue of obedience can help them to achieve this collaboration, which also demands humility. They need not to keep distance between themselves and the Christians. They have to live a Christian life by not being in wrangles with priests in the parishes because it can eventually create divisions among pastoral agents.
