By Catherine Walusa
Priests in the Diocese of Mangochi have been advised to adhere to their priestly promises and rely on the help of God in their ministry. This was said during Chrism Mass which took place at St. Augustine’s (Mangochi) Cathedral, on 27th March, 2024, which was attended by priests, religious brothers and sisters, seminarians, catechists and the lay faithful. The Mass was presided over by His Lordship, Montfort Stima, the bishop of the Diocese of Mangochi, with Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Alessandro Pagan and Very Reverend Davie Mambo and other priests as concelebrants.
Stressing on how important the day was, Bishop Stima thanked God for the call to priesthood, thanked his priests for being dedicated to priestly duties and also asked for their collaboration in the Vineyard of the Lord. Him as the center of unity in the Local Church, the bishop also called for the same unity to exists among his priests as they serve. To the lay faithful, the bishop stressed on their duty to take care of their priests in their respective parishes, despite all wrangles that may exist among them. “The Holy Spirit anoints and empowers us to move forward despite many challenges that we face,” said the bishop.
The Association of Diocesan Clergy of Mangochi diocese (ADCOM) chairperson, Fr. Steven Kamanga thanked the bishop for bringing unity among priests. Agreeing with the bishop, the ADCOM chair quoted the words of St. Paul who was delighted in his ministry as an apostle, though he was weak. He also thanked the Christians for their support to priests in different parishes though the church is facing many challenges. However, Fr. Kamanga was quick to encourage the Christians to see priests as their bridge to God. “The Oils which have been blessed by our bishop today are used by priests to administer sacraments to us. We have to come to them and receive graces of God,” he said.
The Laity chairperson Mr. Daniel Bwanali congratulated all the priests for it was their day and also for accepting the priestly life which also entails fulfilling their expected duties. Agreeing with the bishop, Mr. Bwanali said that priests need care from the Christians and asked them to work together in uplifting their parishes.
Traditionally, Chrism Mass is celebrated during the Holy Week on the morning of Maunday Thursday. Due to pastoral reasons, the bishop is allowed to celebrate it on any day within the Holy Week in order to give opportunity to priests to celebrate Mass on Maunday Thursday in their respective parishes. On Chrism Mass, the bishop consecrates three types of Oils to be used in the Catholic church for administering sacraments such as the Oils are for Catechumenate, Chrism and Oil for the Sick. On the day of blessing these Oils, priests also renew their priestly promises in the presence of the bishop.
