The Catholic Diocese of Zomba says it appreciates the role Catechists play in promoting the teachings of the Church.
Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima, was speaking at Zomba Cathedral where he had a meeting with Catechists who are serving in the Diocese.
Rt. Rev. Chaima said the Diocese recognises the good job that Catechists do and that is why he organised the meeting with an aim of appreciating the experiences of the Catechists, their success and challenges.
“We count on you! Continue the good job that you are doing in your respective parishes and institutions. Incorporate the element of teaching in your work because that’s the hub of your job,” continued Bishop Chaima.
Bishop Chaima listening attentively to the catechists flanked by Fr. Namwera right and Fr. Kaunda left
The Bishop also urged the Catechists to continue collaborating with their priests so that they can effectively address the pastoral needs of the faithful.
In his remarks, the Chairperson of Catechists in Zomba Diocese, Mr. George Banda, thanked the Bishop for organizing the meeting and urged him to keep it up saying that such meetings strengthen and encourage the catechists in their work.
The meeting gave the Catechists an opportunity to interact with the Bishop in the form of sharing their success and challenges which they face when discharging their pastoral duties in their respective work places
On the challenges that the Catechists raised, the Local Ordinary instantly responded to some of them. Some of the key challenges that the Catechists raised include, lack of means of transport, lack of on-going formation and inadequacy of Catechists in some parishes.
Catechists in a meeting with Bishop Chaima
Another concern which the Catechists also raised at the meeting was that marriage cases take too long to be resolved. In his response, the Bishop said that marriage issues are tricky and sensitive such that the Diocese needs to conduct thorough investigations and consultations before making a decision.
Secondly, he assured the gathering that currently, there are three priests from Zomba Diocese who are studying Canon Law abroad such that when they come back to the Diocese, they will form a strong tribunal that will be able to hear such cases.
He concluded by advising the Catechists to commit themselves to prayer life and be exemplary in their deeds.
Currently, Zomba Diocese has 30 Catechists serving in its 20 parishes while 2 are serving in institutions namely, Cobbe Barracks and Police.