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| Priests carrying the casket of the late Bishop Zuza |
Early in the morning people started congregating to the events ground of St Peter Cathedral, a place where the requiem was to be celebrated; despite of the heavy rain that was pouring on that day.
Also present at the event were All the Catholic Bishops of Malawi, priests, religious men and women including Rt. Rev Benjamin Phiri, Auxiliary of Chipata, representing Zambia Episcopal Conference; Fr Chrisantus Ndaga, a representative from AMECEA secretariat and Fr. Sinkala, a Vicar General of Mbeya Diocese, Tanzania.
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| The Body is laid to rest at St. Peters Cathedral Mzuzu |
The Pope's envoy to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Archbishop Julio Murat led the requiem mass which started at 10.00 am and at 2:00 pm the body of late Bishop Zuza was lowered into the grave.
After Mass, the Pope’s envoy read the messages from the Vatican Secretary of State, H.E Pietro Cardinal Parolin and from the Congregation of Evangelization of Peoples; both offering condolences to the Bishops of Malawi, Priests, Religious and the Lay Faithful of Mzuzu diocese.
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| The body of Late Bishop being lowered on the grave |
Archbishop Msusa also described the late Bishop Zuza as a humble man with a sense of humor ready to interact with all classes of people.
Speaking on behalf of the President, Vice President Saulos Chilima said that the country has lost a great person who did a great job for his country. “He provided good leadership for his nation,” he said adding that “As a country, we all mourn him."
A message from the AMECEA Chairman Cardinal Designate H.E. Berhaneyesus Souraphiel CM stated, “It is with great shock and sorrow that I heard of the sudden death of our dear Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza, Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese,” adding that “I knew personally Bishop Zuza. He loved his Church, he loved his country, and above all he loved his diocese. I have seen him as a great leader of the Malawi Episcopal Conference during the last AMECEA Plenary in Lilongwe in July 2014.”
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| President of Malawi Prof. Mutharika (extreme right) and Vice Saulos Chilima during the funeral of the late Bishop |
“I will like to send my deep condolences to the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Mzuzu; to the Malawi Episcopal Conference, to the family of the late Bishop Joseph, and the Malawi people and government,” read his message.
In his Condolence message, AMECEA Secretary General Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo said, “We at the AMECEA Secretariat have received the sad news of the passing of Rt. Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza, the Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese and Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi with deep sorrow.
“While accepting God’s will with humility, we thank Almighty God for the gift of Bishop Zuza to the Church and for the selfless service which he rendered the people of God. We shall always remember Bishop Zuza for his contribution towards the success of the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly. Under his leadership the Church and the people of Malawi united in this great event. As a Bishop he never tired in performing his prophetic role in the interest of being the voice of the voiceless and the salvation and development of humanity.”
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| Vice President of Malawi Saulos Chilima pays his last respect |
Bishop Zuza died on Thursday (15th January, 2015) in a road accident after a car he was travelling in overturned at a place called Nthungwa.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communication office and Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer