A Milestone Moment for Mpiri Deanery
In a vibrant display of ecclesiastical splendor, the Diocese of Mangochi welcomed a new chapter in its pastoral journey with the installation of Fr. Clement Limbani Piruwa as the Dean of Mpiri Deanery. The ceremony, held on June 14, 2025, at St. Mary’s Parish in Ntaja, was a proof of the rich traditions of the Catholic Church.
The installation Holy Mass, concelebrated by several priests of Mpiri Deanery, was led by the Bishop of Mangochi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima.
The Dean’s Role in the Church: A Call to Humble Service
The Bishop, in his homily, eloquently expounded on the role of a Dean as a leader in the Catholic Church, emphasizing that “leadership is about service, serving others not to be served.” He added, “Leadership is about humility. Leadership is a gift that comes from the spirit of love.”
Drawing inspiration from the first reading from the Book of Isaiah, Bishop Stima noted, “God does not require our burnt offerings, but love and spirit of mercy. We fail to love our neighbor, yet we claim to love God.” He further emphasized that a priest, though human, is called to serve in humility and love, as underscored in the second reading from the letter of Apostle Paul.
The Bishop urged the faithful to pray for Fr. Clement Piruwa as he assumes his new role, that he may perform his duties “in humility and love of Christ.” In his remarks after the ceremony, Bishop Stima challenged the Christians of Nsanama Parish, where Fr. Piruwa currently serves as Parish Priest, to be exemplary in the deanery, serving as a model in all aspects of pastoral, spiritual, and socio-economic life.
Strengthening the Role of the Laity and Youth in Church Life
Bishop Stima also took the opportunity to remind the faithful of their obligation to give part of their harvest (masika) to the Church, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and honesty in their offerings. “It’s a sin to lie to God, and God cannot bless them,” he cautioned.
Expressing concern over the low attendance and participation of children in the function, the Bishop urged parents to bring their children to such events, fostering their interest in the activities of the Church.
Upholding Liturgical Identity Through African Culture
The Bishop also decried the tendency of choirs abandoning African instrumentation, such as drums and visekese, in favor of keyboards and electronic drums, which he believed was “watering down the spirit of the African Synod.” The Bishop directed that choirs should strive for a balance between Western and African practices, incorporating both keyboards and traditional drums to preserve the African flavor in their songs. At this point, the Bishop further issued a pastoral directive that for this year’s diocesan choir festival, only choirs that incorporate the rich cultural heritage of African traditional drums and other African instruments in their liturgical music will be eligible to participate, thereby ensuring that our worship is imbued with the vibrant spirit of African Catholicism.
Commitment and Support for the New Dean
Fr. Lazarus Girevulo, the Vice Dean, and Mr. Nathan Thom, the Mpiri Deanery Moderator, expressed their gratitude to the Bishop for presiding over the ceremony and to Fr. Clement Piruwa for accepting the responsibility with love and humility. They pledged their total support to the new Dean and encouraged him to make pastoral visits to various parishes across the deanery.
In his response, Fr. Clement Piruwa thanked God for the gift of life and his calling to priesthood, expressing gratitude to the Bishop for his appointment. He asked for the support of the faithful, urging them to work with him in unity to take Mpiri Deanery to the next level.
As the new Dean assumes his role, the faithful of Mpiri Deanery, comprising six parishes, look forward to a renewed spirit of collaboration and evangelization under his leadership. Fr. Piruwa succeeds Fr. Constantine Chipondeponde, who has embarked on further studies in Kenya.
Report by Fr. Francis Kachere, Communications Secretary-Diocese of Mangochi
