Malawi: Formation, Universal Solidarity and New Projects for Seminaries

The past few days have been particularly intense for the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Malawi, marked by formation programmes, institutional visits and new projects.

From 15 to 17 September, a delegation comprising three diocesan directors of the PMS in Malawi – Fr Luke Sulumba of Dedza, Fr Mathias Thawani of Blantyre and Fr Geoffrey Chikapa of Lilongwe – travelled to the Marian Shrine of Hwange, in Zimbabwe. The delegates took part in an induction and formation course that brought together 19 directors from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. The course was led by Fr Antony Chantry, Director of Missio England, the name used for the PMS in England and Wales, with the aim of strengthening the missionary network in Central Africa.

At the same time, from 14 to 18 September, a formation session for seminary formators in Malawi was held at St Peter’s Major Seminary in the Diocese of Zomba.

The meetings, promoted by the National Director of the PMS in Malawi, Fr Peter Ephraim Madeya, were attended by a delegation from the Pontifical Society of St Peter the Apostle (POSPA), which travelled to Malawi especially from Rome. The delegation consisted of Fr Guy Bognon, Secretary General of POSPA, and Fr Alessandro Brandi, an official of the same Society.

As the culmination of this week of meetings, assessments and formation, the Secretary General of POSPA also visited Nankhunda Minor Seminary, one of the seven institutions in the country dedicated to the formation of younger candidates to the priesthood.

Accompanied by the Rector, Fr Santos Mpingu, the delegation visited the classrooms, dormitories, agricultural areas and fish-farming ponds of the institution, expressing its appreciation for the high level of education and formation offered to the students, who are called to become the future evangelisers of the country.