Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Saturday, 2 August 2025
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – Safeguarding and cultivating the faith of children today is urgent and a priority. This was stated by Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, President of the Malawi Bishops’ Conference (MCCB), at the opening of the First National Congress on Children currently being held at the Don Bosco Parish in Lilongwe (see Fides, 31/7/2025).During the official opening of the Congress, which began with a Eucharistic celebration enlivened by songs and dances by children from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Bishop Mtumbuka condemned the fact that children are often neglected in pastoral planning and liturgical life. “If we don’t care for them now, immediately, in 50 years we will have churches empty of the faithful,” explained the President of the Malawi Bishops’ Conference, urging parishes to offer children’s liturgies and catechesis tailored to them.“As bishops, we are fully committed to the growth of children’s faith, but this must extend to priests, catechists, and parents,” he added.The bishop referred to the valuable work done by many religious women to nurture children’s faith, and therefore called for greater support for their work, which is also essential to fostering the flourishing of vocations to priestly and religious life. For his part, Father Peter Madeya, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Malawi, encouraged the organization of annual congresses like the one currently being held at the diocesan level. He insisted that a missionary identity must be cultivated from an early age and consistently.“Every year, dioceses must bring together children to cultivate their vocation in the Church’s mission,” Father Madeya encouraged.The Congress continues today with numerous specific activities dedicated to children and concludes tomorrow with the Eucharistic celebration. One of yesterday’s sessions aimed to illustrate to children how they, too, can contribute to the government’s “Malawi 2063” program, which aims to guide the country toward sustainable development and economic independence. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 2/8/2025)
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