Training Pastoral Agent

CWM
Aug 1
4 min read

Updated: Aug 26

MALAWI

The Diocese of Karonga was recently established in Malawi, Central East Africa. It covers 4,633 square miles. Currently, it has seven parishes, and 15 priests who serve 308 miles each, by car that’s a six hour car ride over mountainous unpaved road, by foot it’s a twenty day walk to get from one side of their parish to the other. With only 15 priests to serve the entire diocese, the diocese cannot open more parishes to lessen the distances within parishes and between. In order to ease the challenges of the pastoral presence of the priests parishes are divided into Outstations which are run by lay leaders.

With the support of Catholic World Mission and our donors, the Diocese of Karonga is engaging in socio-economic uplift of the lives of the people they serve. We believe that it is not enough to preach the Gospel without attending to their socio-economic needs. In underdeveloped places in Malawi over 60% of the people live on less than a dollar per day!

PROJECT UPDATES

Empowering Lay Evangelization Agents

August 2025

After Commissioning Mass of the National Lay Evangelization Agents in Malawi.

Thanks to the generous support of Catholic World Mission donors, the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops received funding to strengthen the capacity of lay evangelization agents who play a vital role in the Church’s mission. To strengthen their mission, the Commission of Evangelization and Catechesis organized three days of ongoing formation sessions for lay evangelization agents, from the diocesan to the national level. These sessions focused on building leadership, deepening catechesis, and improving collaboration between clergy and laity.

Why is this Important? In Malawi, parishes often cover vast areas, making it challenging for pastors to remain close to all parishioners. Lay leaders play a vital role in filling this gap—preparing catechumens and children for the Sacraments of Initiation, visiting the sick and elderly, and even leading liturgies and funerals in the absence of a priest. Their baptismal call positions them as key agents of evangelization.

During the three-day gathering, lay evangelization agents gained enhanced skills in evangelization, improved leadership abilities, and stronger collaboration with pastors. The project also helped establish a more structured approach to evangelization, aligning diocesan and national goals.

Your continued support ensures that lay leaders receive ongoing formation and training, equipping them to serve faithfully in the vast parishes of Malawi and beyond.

TESTIMONIES FROM SOME PARTICIPANTS

"We have important work to do in spreading the Catholic faith. This training session has equipped us with the skills and knowledge necessary for evangelization." Patrick Liphava, Chairperson of the Laity Council, Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

"This training has deepened my understanding of the Catholic faith and enlightened me on the role we, as youth, have in defending the Catholic faith and evangelizing our peers."

Aaron Mkandawire,

National Chairperson of Catholic Youth Council.

"This is one of the best training sessions we have had, as it has exposed us to Catholic Social Teaching. It has prepared us to be better Catholics and to teach our children about the faith."

Dr. Mary Shaba,

representing the Legion of Mary.

"The training has helped me acquire knowledge and leadership skills that will enable me to collaborate effectively with other agents of evangelization and pastors." Christina Lackion, representing the Catholic Women Association.

"We would like to commend the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic World Mission for organizing these training sessions. They have been truly eye-opening. With the skills and knowledge gained, I feel empowered as an agent of evangelization, especially through the Family Apostolate."

Sekundina Matawere,

representing the Association of Catholic Families.

St. Thomas More Parish is based in the Diocese of Karonga in Malawi.

Training for Pastoral Ministers

May – June 2023

A huge thank you to the Koch Foundation whose generosity helped make this possible!

St. Thomas More Parish is based in the Diocese of Karonga in Malawi. Due to the scarcity of priests one priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Moloka Silwese, is responsible for the Catholic ministry across 783 sq miles. This presents a barrier to evangelization work in the area.

Rev. Joseph relies on a network of lay pastoral ministers as key agents of evangelization. However, many of these pastoral ministers had received little training in the work of pastoral ministry.

You gave generously! Through the support of each of you St. Thomas More Parish equipped 473 pastoral ministers, over intensive 5-day sessions, with the tools to confidently welcome others into the Catholic faith.

“The training was very good. It was an eye-opener. I have gained a lot, and this gives me confidence to share my faith with catechumens as they prepare for their baptism.” – Ken Ndimbwa, Catechumen Instructor

Evangelizers Set to Receive Training

Summer 2019

Thanks to the generosity of a donor like you, 288 more pastoral agents will receive training at St. Mary’s parish. What an incredible gift to know that thousands more souls will hear the Good News of Christ because of the “yes” of donors like you and the “yes” of the soon-to-be-trained evangelizers!

Malawi. Evangelizers Set to Receive Training

Experiences the Fruits of Your Generosity

Summer 2018

Last summer, our friends at St. Mary’s dedicated a brand new church building! This is the same group of people you helped train as pastoral agents a few years ago. Isn’t it wonderful to see the fruits of your generosity expand and grow, years and years later? The Holy Spirit is truly alive and active at St. Mary’s in Malawi!