On August 19, 2025, St. Alessandro-Nankumba Parish witnessed a momentous occasion as 20 young boys and girls received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Solemn Mass, presided over by Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangochi, and concelebrated by Fr. Charles Kaponya, Parish Priest of St. Alessandro-Nankumba Parish, was a celebration of faith and commitment.
In his homily, Bishop Stima posed a challenging question to the congregation: “Will you be able to safeguard the faith of those to be confirmed?” The congregation responded with a resounding “YES!” However, the Bishop cautioned that promises are often easier made than kept. Quoting Matthew 5:37, he emphasized the importance of truthfulness and fulfilling one’s promises. “People promise to take responsibility for safeguarding the faith of the young ones, yet they do not fulfill the promise; it is often easier said than done,” he said.
Reflecting on the first reading, Bishop Stima highlighted the theme of love, noting that the Holy Spirit enabled the Apostles to speak the language of love, which was familiar to everyone present on Pentecost day. “What sort of language do Christians speak?” he asked. “As a diocese, our language should always be one of love and compassion,” he emphasized.
During the speeches, both the Parish Priest, Fr. Charles Kaponya, and Parish Moderator, Mr. Pwaipwai, thanked the Bishop for his visit and provided insight into the economic status of Nankumba Parish. “The parish has the potential to become self-sufficient and self-reliant because it is blessed with large and fertile land for cultivation, which has not been utilized effectively over the years,” the Moderator said. Catechist Yona presented a report on the year’s catechesis, highlighting the number of people who had received various sacraments. He said, among them, 39 received the Sacrament of Baptism, 18 received the Sacrament of Eucharist, 2 blessed their marriages through the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, and 20 received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
In his concluding remarks, Bishop Stima expressed concern about the faint life of Nankumba Parish, citing a lack of commitment and disunity among Christians. He urged every Christian to take action to revitalize the parish, emphasizing the importance of the sacrament of marriage as proof of solid spiritual life. “Nankumba Parish is at a standstill,” he said. “Let us put out the brake if the parish is to get back into motion.”
Nankumba Parish, one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Mangochi, has 18 out-churches and a significant population. Despite its potential, the parish faces challenges in terms of economic development and spiritual growth. As Bishop Stima encouraged the faithful to enrich their knowledge of faith, he also urged them to take action to revitalize their parish and bring it back to life.
Communications Office – Diocese of Mangochi