Bishops of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe announce historic alliance for gospel proclamation, cooperation

The three Episcopal Conferences of the Catholic Bishops in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have announced an alliance to introduce what they call a “new reality.”

On December 17, 2024, Catholic leaders belonging to aforementioned nations addressed Priests, Religious and the Lay Faithful in a joint statement.

“Beginning with the first consultative meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia in February 2020, followed by the recent one in Salima, Malawi in July 2024.

We have realised that the three Conferences can collaborate better and become more effective if we come together as one body,” the statement said.

Whilst the Bishops promised to prioritise the effective proclamation of the gospel in the region.

Pastoral initiatives to promote food security, social justice and reconciliation are also expected to be included in their operations.

As well as issues to do with vocational formations and the general social welfare of the clergy.

Most Reverends George Desmond Tambala, Ignatius Chama and Right Reverend Paul Horan represented Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively.

They stated that their decision to come together was necessitated by the need to explore possible avenues for pastoral effectiveness, collaboration and solidarity.

“Given the shared history of our three countries, we have more in common than we can imagine,” continued the statement.

Interestingly, the Shepherds were not specific on that which they referred to as the, “current common challenges,” in their statement.

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Taking into consideration that Bishops in these Southern Africa nations had made food aid calls through their national conferences in April 2024.

Rather they only revealed that the formalisation process of the body will take time like all other Church institutions.