President Joyce Banda of Malawi hailed the Catholic Church of Malawi for helping the government to promote the social and economic wellbeing of Malawians.
President Banda said this during the ceremony of the installation of Rt Rev Montfort Stima as
the new Bishop of Mangochi Diocese on 22 February 2014. “Churches, the Catholic in particular, are doing a lot in the sectors of education, health and agriculture,” she said.
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| Bishop Montfort Stima |
The President further said that the cordial relationship that exist between the Catholic Church in Malawi and the Government should continue in the spirit of promoting the lives of people especially those living in the margins of poverty.
She also hailed the role of religious institutions which usually speak for the voiceless at a time of oppression and urged people in the country to emulate the selflessness example of Bishop Montfort Stima.
Speaking at the same function, retired Bishop of Mangochi Alessandro Pagani said he was thankful to the Lord for allowing him to serve at the helm of Mangochi Diocese for seven years.
Bishop Pagani said he was grateful for the peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the district, despite the differences in religious beliefs. He thanked President Joyce Banda for the support she had been giving to the church.
In his remarks, Bishop Stima thanked all the participants, including the President; for the numerous contributions towards his installation ceremony. “To all my colleagues in Mangochi, I am dumbfounded with rapturous welcome you have accorded me,” he said adding that “We are in a playing field and so each one of us must take a role in ensuring the success and growth of the church in our Diocese.”
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Stima late last year after serving as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Blantyre. Before his New Appointment he served as the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
Bishop Stima becomes the 4th Bishop of Mangochi Diocese.
SOURCE: ECM