After a three-day consultative plenary held from July 15 to 19 in Malawi, Catholic Bishops from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have decided to establish a new regional episcopal association. The newly formed association will be known as the Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (ACBC-MAZAZI).
Historical and Cultural Ties
The idea of forming this association has been discussed for years, rooted in the historical and cultural ties between the three countries. From 1953 to 1963, under British colonial rule, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were united as the Federation of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation (CAF).
Declaration of Intent: A Bold New Step
The Bishops issued a formal Declaration of Intent at the end of the meeting, signed by the presidents of the three conferences: Archbishop George Desmond Tambala of Malawi, Archbishop Ignatius Chama of Zambia, and Bishop Paul Horan of Zimbabwe. The declaration outlines the vision for forming an independent region, emphasizing the principle of gradualism with short-term goals leading to long-term achievements.
The Bishops committed to presenting this project to their respective regional bodies, IMBISA and AMECEA, while maintaining their current memberships until further notice.
Operational Guidelines and Future Plans
The new association’s statutes and operational guidelines were approved, along with mechanisms for incorporating members from outside the subregion if requested. The secretariat for the new subregion will be located in Lusaka, Zambia, with the next plenary assembly scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe in three years.
Enhancing Unity, Faith, and Service
The primary purpose of the consultative meeting in Malawi was to enhance pastoral unity, the proclamation of the Gospel, and solidarity in the subregion amidst shared challenges. The Bishops aimed to build upon their 2020 Lusaka Conference, emphasizing the importance of unity and service.
Archbishop Gian Luca Perici, the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, read Pope Francis’ goodwill message to the Bishops. The Pope encouraged them to continue “building bridges, strengthening faith, unity, and service” among the three countries in the subregion. He highlighted the importance of promoting an inclusive and sustainable society addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.
Support from President Chakwera
President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, visited the Bishops during their meeting. He commended them for their continued pastoral care and socio-political engagement. President Chakwera also expressed gratitude for the support Malawi received from the subregion during crises.
The formation of ACBC-MAZAZI marks a significant step towards greater unity and cooperation among the Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, reflecting their shared commitment to faith, service, and regional solidarity.
