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| Some of the graduating Students from Kachebere |
42 Seminarians who have completed their three year Philosophical course from St Anthony’s Kachebere Major Seminary of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) have been awarded with the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy under the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA).
Presiding over the graduation ceremony at the Seminary in Mchinji, Chairperson of the University Council, Rt. Rev. Dr. Martin Mtumbuka, said the event was a historical one because no one who has passed through the Seminary has ever been awarded with a Degree.
“Basically, I must admit that I am very grateful and sincerely expresses my gratitude that we have managed to reach this far. This symbolizes the growth of the Catholic University in Malawi and the Church as a whole,” he said.
Bishop Mtumbuka said that plans are underway that Catholic University should also open up satellite Colleges in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Karonga for evening classes to provide a chance for those willing to pursue their education to do so.
For his part, Rector for Kachebere Major Seminary, Fr. Raphael Mbendera said that the knowledge that they have acquired for the past three years should help them become a little bit better every day, be more human, understanding and more committed to their vocation hence be matured.
“So the key question today is not what this degree will bring me. The profitable question is; what is in me? What lessons have I learnt? What qualities have I cultivated?” he said adding that “As you go out of this seminary, know that you have the duty to bring the good picture of Kachebere Seminary to wherever you are going. We wish you well and every success as you continue to pursue your vocation to priesthood”.
The Academic Dean, Fr. Frank Chingale, in his speech thanked the Episcopal Conference of Malawi through the Bishops for all that has been accomplished.
“It has been a long process to be affiliated to the Catholic University because we started with the University of Malawi, then Catholic University of Eastern Africa and finally Catholic University of Malawi. I remember Bishop Mtumbuka telling us that we don’t have to go far; we have our own Catholic University. It is not a choice but we must go for it,” he said.
He said Philosophy is taught in the Seminary so that students are able to keep in mind that they are candidates for priesthood hence its justification and significance is aimed at learning to think profoundly in terms of being and of objectivity, to sharpen the critical sense, to help to grow avid for the truth wherever it may be found and to learn to detect and refute errors.
He also said Philosophy is studied by seminarians to form the intellect overcome irrational or lack of trust on reason, overcome the difficulties, relativism of our time, form the criterion of a person and to aspire to know and be open for the truth.
Earlier before the graduation ceremony, His Grace Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye, the Archbishop for Lilongwe led the Eucharistic celebration in which he called on for people to be united for the glory of God.
By Prince Henderson, Communications Officer, ECM
