During the episcopal consecration ceremony of the Very Rev. Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima offered counsel.
He urged the newly consecrated bishop to adopt the wisdom of Mother Teresa, emphasizing the significance of recognizing the presence of Jesus in every human being, especially in the context of serving God.
“I am honoured that today God is promising you his presence and his constant support in your life. God started with you on this journey and anointed you before you were born on 20th November, 1975 in Salima,” he said.
The Vice President encouraged the bishop to be fortified in his faith and assured him that the same God who started with him on this journey will always guide him as he embarks on serving the Lord.
“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God will never leave you nor forsake you,” said Chilima.
Archbishop of Lilongwe, Rev. George Desmond Tambala advised Rev. Mwakhwawa to take up the new role with diligence as there is a lot of work to be done to serve the people of God.
He added that the new position requires of him to be of full service to the people of God and to preach the gospel to those who are in need and even to those who do not need it. He stressed that Rev. Mwakhwawa has a responsibility to pray for his church and to win lost souls.
“God has entrusted you with the role to lead his people and you must love and guide them like their father as well as their brother,” said Tambala.
The Archbishop further advised the newly consecrated bishop to depend on God and not his own human understanding if he is to bear good fruits and to also treat everyone else in the church the same, be it poor or well to do.
Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Archbishop Guan Luca Parici appealed to Mwakhwawa to never get entangled in politics and must always remember that he has been called to spread the gospel of God.
Pope Francis officially appointed Fr Mwakhwawa as the Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe Archdiocese on November 15, 2023.
