The Catholic Church in Malawi has held its inaugural National Children’s Congress at Don Bosco Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, signaling a renewed commitment to nurturing future leaders.
Spanning four days, the historic gathering focused on empowerment, education, and spiritual growth for children from across the country.
Children received guidance and teachings on a wide range of topics, such as Catholic social teaching, mental health, child trafficking and labor, environmental stewardship, and the Malawi 2063 Vision, delivered by bishops and animators from various dioceses.
During the closing Mass celebration, children voiced their concerns to the bishops, requesting support for challenges such as access to quality education and better care across parishes.
The President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment, for the life of the child.
“As Bishops, we are concerned about your challenges. We promise to do everything possible to resolve them, especially issues around education and how you are treated in various parishes.”
Bishop Mtumbuka also called for coordinated stakeholder efforts, led by Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe who is also PMS President in Malawi, to ensure the Children’s Congress continues.
He also then thanked Pope’s delegate PMS General Secretary from Vatican Sister Ines Paulo for participating the Congress, saying it sends a good message on how the Pope’s love the church in Malawi, especially the mission on the children.
His Lordship also encouraged parish priests to allow children to lead their own Eucharistic Mass as a way of building liturgical leadership in them.
The Congress received international recognition, with Sister Ines Paulo, Pope’s delegate and PMS General Secretary from the Vatican, applauding the event’s success. She expressed gratitude to Malawi’s bishops, clergy, and lay Catholics for their dedication, encouraging the children to remain active in ministry.
“Continue serving the Church, you are the light of the world and of the Church.”
Sister Ines also pledged support through her office to help children overcome challenges they face in their communities in the country.
Father Ephraim Madeya, National PMS Director, echoed her sentiments and urged priests, religious sisters, and parents to actively support children’s ministry, ensuring lessons from the Congress yield lasting impact.
Tina Kandodo who was the organizing chairperson for the National Children’s Congress , celebrated the children’s enthusiasm and willingness to engage deeply with both church and social life.
Representing her fellow participants, Rachel Khalera of Bangwe Parish in the Archdiocese of Blantyre shared her excitement.
“We have had a great Congress and learned many things that will positively affect our lives, spiritually and physically. We have made resolutions and presented them to our Bishops, and we hope they will help solve our challenges.”
Children further demonstrated their commitment to creation care by planting trees, guided by bishops, as part of their environmental lessons.
This first-ever nationwide Catholic children’s gathering in Malawi united participants from every diocese, offering new insights into how the Church can guide young people toward becoming responsible citizens and leaders.
Among the resolutions presented were, establishing children-led Eucharistic Masses in all parishes, promoting accessible, high-quality education for every child, training clergy and religious members in PMS activities, strengthening coordination among bishops, clergy, sisters, and parents to enhance children’s spiritual and physical well-being, teaching and enforcing the Church’s Safeguarding Policy
The Congress attracted distinguished guests, including, Holy Childhood Coordinator from the Archdiocese of Boston from the Pontifical Mission Societies office Daria Braithwaite from (U.S.A), PMS director and delegates from Zimbabwe, and other international dignitaries.
This year’s theme was “Children Are Pilgrims of Hope”, with a total of 1,628 children participating from all dioceses, in the country.
By Titus Jata Phiri