Namwera, April 9, 2019.

The Church expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for the assistance like Kindermission Werk of  Aachen in Germany who are rendering support towards those affected by floods and heavy rains that was experience the just passing rain season which have affected close to 15 districts across the country.

In a statement made at Namwera Parish grounds, on Tuesday, Fr. Frank Chingale, Vicar General of Diocese of Nzekokere on April 9, 2019, said the support complements the salvific acts of God preached by the Church and experienced by all particularly during the Lenten Season.

“Diocese of Nzekokere is so grateful for the monetary contribution of MK 16 million from Kindermission Werk of  Aachen in Germany that has made purchase of relief food items to be distributed among 750 families in 5 most prone parishes in the diocese. This translates to 38,000 people affected by the incessant rains from St. Augustine, Ulongwe Namwera, Masuku and Kausi Parishes will be beneficiaries.

“Diocese of Nzekokere whose jurisdiction runs down in Balaka, Machinga and Nzekokere districts has a record of 13426 households affected with 6 deaths in Balaka. In Machinga 29301 households are affected with 5 deaths and Nzekokere 2 deaths from 15655 affected households. Houses are destroyed completely, or partially, property lost, fields swept, livestocks washed away.” Fr. Chingale said.

“Public facilities and institutions such as schools, churches, mosques and hospitals are flooded with people or turned into shelters for the affected households. Therefore, education, health and other services are compromised.” He added

In an earlier address, made by Mr. P. Nthanda, Diocesan CADECOM Commission Secretary he commended Kindermission of Germany for the relief aid. He however mentioned the supports targets affected families regardless of religious boundaries.

“As long as you are God’s creature as preached by the Catholic faith and you are affected by the past rain season within the diocese of Nzekokere, you are entitled this consignment meant for relief.” He said.

Nthenda however appealed for more support to reach out to masses that still need help.”

” CADECOM is informed that many people need humanitarian support, but we can not manage to reach out to all because of financial limitations. Therefore, there is need for cooperate world  and organizations to assist Church and government to extended the support.” Nthenda added.

The selected affected households  affected by strong floods and wind went away with 50 kilos of Maize, 2 kilos of cooking oil and 5 kilos of beans.

The exercises continues at Kausi, Kausi and Masuku on 10th April and on 11th April at St. Augustine Parish respectedly.

    In his inaugural speech, as the guest of honor at the event, His Lordship Bishop Montfort Stima of the Catholic Diocese of Nzekokere urged participants to look at technology as a God given gift to aid in reaching out to masses with the gospel. Bishop Stima reminded the correspondents to look up to Jesus as a better communicator and the motivation to be a better journalist citing that Journalism without Jesus it’s nothing.

“Jesus as God is the first, prime, best, and excellent journalist. The gospels approve this. He effectively proclaimed the message of peace and love hence we ought to borrow a leaf from him so as to excel in our own modern journalism” Said the Bishop.

Bishop Stima mentioned that the training was necessary because there are lots of pertinent issues on spiritual and social progress in the parishes and institutions within the diocese which go uncovered and unreported.

“My dear friends, your presence to this training is a clearer testimony of your response to Jesus’ call for you to witness the gospel being evangelized by use of technology as God’s given gift. Courtesy of this training, am so optimistic that you will become causes of difference in evangelization,” said Stima.

Nzekokere Diocese Communication Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Harry Mang’anda expressed some delight because of the overwhelming patronage to the training. Further, he urged all participants to make use of the knowledge and skills attained in the training proactively and to enrich the mission in the diocese and at large.

“Having attended this session, you have the art to let communication be used for evangelization. The ball is now in your court. Make good use of the knowledge acquired by feeding the diocesan website and other available outlets such as media houses and social media with respect to the social teaching of the church and media ethics,” He advised.

Fr. Mang’anda further urged the Correspondents to always consult, inform and report to their pastors and superiors all to maintain some order and discipline in what is reported.

The Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Steven Kamanga and deputy editor of Nation on Sunday, Mr. Michael Mmeya of Nation Publications facilitated on Media Ethics and Church and Basics Skills in Journalism respectively.

Almost 24 correspondents from all parishes, diocesan administration representatives, communication team members and members of selected educational institutions and representatives of Catholic Media Organizations in the Diocese of Nzekokere such as Radio Maria, Luntha TV and Montfort Media attended the training.