Archbishop Tarsizio Ziyaye formerly of Blantyre Archdiocese has been inaugurated as Archbishop for Lilongwe Archdiocese replacing retired Archbishop Remi Ste-Marie.
His inauguration ceremony was graced by a Holy mass at Maula Cathedral in Lilongwe where thousands of Catholic Christians and other churches attended.
Speaking earlier before the mass, Bishop Emeritus Ste-Marie thanked Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI for accepting his resignation letter.
Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Ziyaye as Archbishop for Lilongwe Diocese on July 3, 2013.
A letter of appointment and acceptance from the Pope in Vatican was then read to the congregation both in Latin and Chichewa
In his homely, His Lordship Right Reverend Josephy Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese commended Bishop Emeritus Ste-Marie for working tirelessly in promoting the Catholic Church and Lilongwe Archdiocese in particular.
Bishop Zuza who is also the Chairperson for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi encouraged Bishop Ste-Marie’s successor, His Grace Right Reverent Tarcizio Ziyaye to rely on God when discharging his duties as a new Archbishop for Lilongwe Archdiocese
”We would like to thank you (Bishop Ste-Marie,Emeritus) for leading us here in Lilongwe Archdiocese.We however had some doubts as to who will lead us again here in Lilongwe but thanks to God for he has given us yet another man of God in the name of Archbishop Ziyaye,”said
Bishop Zuza added,”To you Bishop Ste-Marie,Emeritus,you have retired as the Arch Bishop for Lilongwe but still you are a Priest and a Bishop hence we shall therefore becoming to you and seek advise,so please be ready to welcome us and of course share with us your experience”.
Bishop Zuza then urged Christians and Catholics in particular to pray for Bishop Ste-Marie, Emeritus and also Arch Bishop Ziyaye so that he can lead the church through God’s will.
“I am so over whelmed and I would like to assure you all that Arch Bishop Ziyaye is a gift for Lilongwe Arch Diocese hence wish him well as he takes charge of this diocese. Fear not but work hard,” said the archbishop emeritus
He commended the Priests,Brothers,Nuns and laity Christians for the support support rendered to him through out the six years he has been a bishop then Arch Bishop for Lilongwe Diocese later became an Arch diocese.
“When I came here on 7th October,2007, I was warmely welcomed by the Priests,Brothers, Nuns and the Laity.As you know a Bishop or Arch Bishop does not work alone but relies on a collective working relationship,(Mpingo ndife tonse),”he said
Bishop Emerutis Ste-Marie added,”If the Church today has grown its because of your support to me”.
He then urged all those that have been supporting him to render the same support to Arch Bishop Ziyaye.
He also encourages his successor, Arch Bishop Ziyaye who was once his student at St. Kizito Seminary in Dedza alongside Bishop Zuza not to fear anything as he take over the Archdiocese from him.
In his acceptance speech as a new Arch Bishop for Lilongwe Arch diocese, Arch Bishop Ziyaye commended the Holy Father Pope Francis for trusting and appointing him as Arch Bishop for Lilongwe.
“In all my appointments from the Pope,I have been saying God here I am and send me where ever you feel like.I therefore ask the same God to guide me as I take this new challenge,”said Arch Bishop Ziyaye
Arch Bishop Ziyaye who once served as a Bishop for Lilongwe Diocese and returns from Blantyre Arch Diocese after thirteen years applauded Christians and other well wishers for according him a warm welcome to Lilongwe Arch diocese.
Monsignor Francis Sonkhani who has worked with the Emeritus Bishop assured the new Arch Bishop that they will strive to abid by his leadership and that they are ready work with him.
The Most Reverend Remi Joseph Ste-Marie was born in La Minerve,Co. Labelle in Canada on 11th Jnuary,1938. He was consecrated Auxilliary Bishop of the Diocese of Dedza at Bembeke on 9th May,1998. On 7th September,2000,he was appointed Bishop of Dedza and was installed on 27th October,2000.
The Emerutis Arch Bishop was then appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Lilongwe on 18th February,2006 and Apostolic Administrator of Dedza till 6th October,2007.On 4th July,2007,he was appointed Bishop of Lilongwe Diocese and he was installed on 13th October 2007.
Upon the elevation of Lilongwe Diocese to Metropolitian See on 9th February,2011,His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as first Archbishop of the new Archdiocese.
He has retired at the age of 75 as recommended to all Catholic Bishops world over.
