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Catholic Bishops in Malawi Announce Inaugural Congress to Deepen Faith among Children

Credit: Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has approved the proposal that the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) presented during the Bishops’ June plenary to organize the Children's Congress in the Southern African nation.

In a circular dated Thursday, October 24, the Secretary General of ECM, Fr. Valeriano Mtseka, said the congress that will be under the organization of PMS will be held every three years starting from 2025.

“I am pleased to inform you that during its plenary in June 2024, the ECM approved the proposal by the office of PMS to organize children's congress,” Fr. Mtseka said in the circular addressed to Diocesan PMS Directors, Diocesan Pastoral Coordinators, all Priests and Diocesan Laity Council and PMS animators.

The ECM Secretary General said that the congress that will last five days, covering the date of arrival to departure is scheduled for inauguration on July 30 to August 4, 2025, in Lilongwe, Malawi.

“The objective of the Children’s congress is to deepen the Catholic faith, spiritual and moral values of the children to become animators and agents of evangelization to fellow children and all,” Fr. Mtseka said in the one-page statement.

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He added, “To achieve this objective, the Children’s congress will focus on both spiritual and human development issues such as Catholic doctrine, Sacraments, Liturgy, Mental health, child safeguarding, child trafficking and labor, children and technology, and climate change.”

The Malawian Priest highlighted conditions for the children who will be eligible to attend the congress saying that they must be between 8 to 14 years and must also have already received the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Themed “Children Missionaries of Hope!”, the congress is expected to have at least 2,000 children from across the country. Each parish has been told to send eight children accompanied by one animator from to the event.

According to the Priest, the Motto for the 2025 Congress will be “Children praying and helping fellow children,” which he said aligns with the 2025 Mission Sunday theme declared by the Holy Father.

Fr. Mtseka said that a national organizing committee has been established to prepare for the event and preparations are in progress. In addition, he said that each Diocese would have to establish a committee to begin preparations at the diocesan level for smooth preparations.

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“We request your cooperation with both the national and diocesan organizing committees,” he said, adding, “National PMS Office will provide you with more details of the preparations at regular intervals.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.