Catholic Church in Malawi marks 125 years
Thousands of Catholics and people of goodwill gathered at Nzama Primary School grounds in Dedza on Saturday, September 19, 2026, to commemorate 125 years since the permanent establishment of the Catholic Church in Malawi in 1901.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by His Grace Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Special Delegate of Pope Leo XIV and Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
The event was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, Catholic bishops from across Malawi, and representatives from Zambia and Mozambique.
The anniversary provided an opportunity for the Catholic community to reflect on the Church’s 125-year presence and contribution to Malawi, particularly in education, community development and social services.
A major highlight of the celebrations was the inauguration of a new four-classroom block at St. Mary’s (Nzama) Catholic Primary School by Archbishop Nwachukwu.
The block was constructed by The Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) at a cost of K180 million, providing additional learning facilities for pupils.
The project also underscored the Catholic Church’s longstanding contribution to education in Malawi through its network of schools and other educational initiatives.
The celebrations brought together Catholics, church leaders, representatives from neighbouring countries and other people of goodwill to mark the Church’s journey in Malawi while looking ahead to its continued contribution to communities.
The Nzama event therefore combined the commemoration of a significant milestone with a practical investment in education aimed at supporting future generations.
