The Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia visits Mzuzu Diocese
As he pledges for increased support for the clergy
It was all joy, jubilation and smiles punctuated with dancing over and over again when the Pope Nuncio for Malawi and Zambia, His Grace Archbishop Nicola Grasoli visited Mzuzu Diocese. The Apostolic Nuncio who is reported to have been asking all long on the day to visit the Northern Malawi’s sole diocese finally made it on Thursday, the 18th September, 2008.
On the day of arrival on Thursday, he conducted Eucharistic Celebration for Christians of the Southern Deanery at Holy Cross Parish- Nkhamenya. On 20th September, he went to St Mary’s Parish- Karonga where he conducted Holy Mass for the esteemed Christians of the Northern Deanery under the themes; Life and Ministry of St Paul the Apostle and Mary our Mother respectively. In both the scheduled masses for the Deaneries, it is reported that the turnout was very impressing.
The climax of all was reached on Sunday 21st September, when the shades for the Cathedral’s stadium proved too small to carter for people. The attendance from all the six parishes that make up the Central Deanery was very superb. The parishes are; St Peter’s Cathedral, St Padre Pio-Lusangazi, St Joseph-Nkhatabay, St John’s-Mzambazi, St Dennis-Rumphi and St Augustine.
In his capacity, Parish priest for St Peters cathedral Father Andrew Chunda thanked the Nuncio for coming to Mzuzu Diocese. He also recommended the lay people for coming in good numbers so as to be good witness to the coming of the Pope emissary.
Chipping in was the Bishop for Mzuzu Diocese, Bishop Joseph Zuza. Monsinor Zuza who recommended the Nuncios coming emphasized that through the Archbishop Grasori, Catholics were able to see the Holy Father.
In his introductory speech, The Pope representative for Malawi and Zambia said that he was shocked and rather puzzled to see the overwhelming number of people attending his masses. “Actually I am shocked with the outcome of people in all my masses. I thought yesterday was the maximum but today is beyond,” he explained.
I have great joy to celebrate with you the Eucharistic Cerebration. I am very happy to preside this Eucharistic Cerebration at the end of my Pastoral visit, to know you personally, touch your soil, know your natural beauty and feel the beats of your hearts,” he said a mid ululations and hands clapping.
In the same remarks, the Nuncio expressed his satisfaction on how Mzuzu Diocese is organized. He did not mince words by saying that Mzuzu Diocese is one of the most well organized dioceses of Malawi. “Well done Monsinor Joseph Zuza,” he whispered.
The visit of Apostolic Nuncio Grasori to Mzuzu Diocese is a litmus paper of the cordial relationship that exists between the Pope who happens to be the leader of the whole Catholic Church and the people of Mzuzu Diocese. Through the visit, people received personal greetings and fresh blessings from the Holy Father. The church retinue was advised to remain united as unity stands as the pillar for the church. He assured the gathering that the church shall promote unity at all cost.
“Unity is not just a feeling or abstract. It is something that we need to practice,” he emphasized. He noted that people are usually united by their wounds. And in Africa, as rightly put, people are united over the wounds of poverty and other life challenges.
Sharing the homily, Pope Envoy Nicola Grasori emphasized that God is merciful and loving. He stressed the need to reconcile with our rivals before offering gifts to God on the altar for the gifts to be received. To those who ask and seem not to be answered, he assured them to keep on trusting God even if they don’t see the answers coming. Using the Gospel on Matthews 20: 1-16, he told the gathering not to be jealousy and envious on the love of God. They were told that Lord God loves all at the same intensity. In other words, the love of God which overcomes all the human needs is similar to all people regardless of all the possible variables.
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Nicola Grasori said that he was impressed on how dedicated priests are to their ministry. He then called all people of good will to help the priests so that they feel cared for and loved. He later pledged more financial support to priests so that to make them happy and stable.
On the shortage of priests, he pushed the challenge to Christians themselves. However he recommended the work well done by the Congregation of Holy Rosary Sisters who adopted the work that was being carried out by a foreign congregation. He also asked the lay people to move forward with great love and defend the church. Catholics were reminded to continue being proud of their Catholicism.
In the long run, some distinguished people received medals so as to symbolize their outstanding contribution to the church. Notable on the group was the beloved Bishop Joseph Zuza.
Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, Archbishop Nicola Grasori came directly from Vatican to Mzuzu via Lilongwe. He went to Vatican from his official residence in Lusaka to attend to the first Mass held by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Lourdes shrine. Lourdes shrine is highly revered Roman Catholic shrine where a young local girl is reported to have seen the vision of the Virgin Mary who happens to be the mother of the Church.
Archbishop Grasori was born on 21st July 1957 in Ruvo di Puglia, Italy. Later, he was ordained as a priest and that was on 15th June 1980. On 24 January 2006, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia as well as a Titular Archbishop of Egnazia Appula. He stepped in the shoes of Archbishop Orlando Antonini who is currently the Nuncio to Paraguay.
From Mzuzu Diocese, he moved to Lilongwe where he was to attend to the Conference of Bishops of Malawi called Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM). The meeting is attended by all the seven bishops of Malawi from Blantyre, Chikwawa, Dedza, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mzuzu and Zomba Dioceses. The ECM was to run for a week starting from 22nd September 2008.