Bishop Chaima leads in Eucharistic Congress in Zomba Diocese

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima, has led in the first ever Diocesan Eucharistic Congress at Sacred Heart, Zomba Cathedral on Thursday 3rd September, 2026. 

In his homily during the Eucharistic Celebration which officially opened the Eucharistic Congress, the Diocese Leader urged the Clergy, Religious Brothers and Sisters together with hundreds of lay faithful to take the Eucharistic Congress as a priority in their life time since it is something that is not regular but is there to help the faithful to deepen their faith in God through Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist. 

The Bishop said that the theme, the Eucharist Source and Summit of Christian life, is a reminder that we are the Church that puts at the centre of everything the Eucharist where Jesus Christ is truly present. The Eucharist being the central part of the sacraments, should be greatly revered and received with proper preparations. 

Guided by scripture readings of the day from Pauline epistle and the Gospel (cf. I Corinthians 3: 18-23 and Luke 5: 1-11), the Prelate urged the congregation to allow the wisdom of God to supersede human wisdom for them to be successful in life as Peter was able to catch a lot of fish after following the instructions from Jesus to do so at time when human wisdom says it is during the day is not proper time to catch many fish but at night. 

Learning from Peter, when he called for the support from the others to help him haul the fish, the Bishop stressed on the need for collaborative ministry citing that there should not be any monopoly of divine graces or Jesus Christ as salvation is for all. He said each one in the church should be doing his or her part for the success of the missionary work in the vineyard. 

The Bishop asked the people to be present during all the three days of the Eucharistic Congress and to participate actively in all the proceedings so that God should bless them. 

In their remarks during speeches, the deputy Pastoral Coordinator and Diocesan Laity Council Chairperson, Rev. Fr. Innocent Chiwanda and Mr. Bernard Chirambo agreed with the Bishop that every participant should have the right motive for patronizing the event so that divine graces should be lavished upon everyone. 

The Eucharistic Congress in Zomba Diocese takes place after the National Eucharistic Congress which took place at Maula Cathedral in Lilongwe Archdiocese in 2025 after which the Bishops of Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishop recommended that all the Diocese should be doing the same during the subsequent years.