The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archidiocese of Lilongwe, his Lordship Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa, has commended various parish leaders for their dedication to the growth of the Church.
Bishop Mwakhwawa made the remarks on Saturday 23 August 2025 while presiding over the sacrament of confirmation mass at St. Patrick’s Parish in the Lilongwe Archdiocese.
He highlighted that the growing number of youths receiving the sacrament of confirmation across different parishes is a clear indication that priests, sisters, and catechists are doing an excellent job forming the youths in their spiritual lives.
The bishop is optimistic that the rising number of young people receiving the sacrament of confirmation in August offers hope for a stronger church in the future.
On the other hand, the bishop challenged parents to take a proactive role in ensuring their children are not addicted to technological gadgets like phones, which can hinder their spiritual and physical development.
“I call upon parents to ensure their children are not addicted to cell phones,” he added, “as they waste their time on TikTok instead of concentrating on their studies and spiritual lives.”
In his remarks, Blaise Saenda, the first vice chairperson for St. Patrick’s Parish stated that the parish will ensure the newly confirmed youths are cared for through their small Christian communities so they can continue to grow in the Catholic faith.
Regarding the Bishop’s call, the chairperson noted that it is a wake-up call for parents, reminding them to raise their children with moral values.
“Yes, the call from the bishop is genuine, and we will ensure this is looked into through our church forums,” he said.
Felix Aposio Malire, one of the confirmed youths, expressed his joy at receiving the sacrament, stating that it will now assist him in serving in the vineyard wholeheartedly.
He also called upon his fellow youths to love praying, as they are “pilgrims of hope.”
By Peter Dumayo