Peter Tembo ordained deacon; as 7 rise to the order of clergy

The diocese of Chikwawa has a new deacon! In a colorful and yet solemn celebration at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Zomba, on 4^th September 2021, seven seminarians from St Peters seminary got ordained as deacons. These new deacons are from dioceses across Malawi and among them was Peter Tembo from St Michaels Parish in the diocese of Chikwawa.

Presiding over the ceremony was Archbishop Thomas Luke Susa of the Archdiocese of Blantyre. In his sermon, Archbishop Msusa stressed the need for those that accept God’s call to do so in order to serve and not to be served.

“Those who want to be followers of Jesus must be willing to serve and not to be served” reads part of the homily. These words were inspired by Luke 14:25-33.

Also in attendance to concelebrate the mass was bishop George Desmond Tambala who is bishop of Zomba.

The occasion was attended by parents and relatives of the new deacons, priests, sisters, seminarians and Christians from various dioceses.

The diaconate is a major step in one’s journey to priesthood. It is a sacred order in the church such that with ordination to diaconate, these are legible to administer different sacraments as marriages, baptism and anointing.

Deacon Peter Tembo is the last to be born in a family of seven. He did his primary education at Davie Primary School in Mzimba and Mitole Primary School in Chikwawa. He did his secondary school at Mzimu Woyera Seminary in Chikwawa. After his secondary education, he felt God’s call and went to Kasina formation Centre for a year then Kachebere Major Seminary to study philosophy for 3 years. Currently, he is fourth year at St Peters Seminary in Zomba studying theology. He hails from Alick Chisi village, T/A Muzikabola in Mzimba district.