The body of the late Fr. Andrew Nkhata who until his death was the Vicar General of Mangochi Diocese has been laid to rest this afternoon at Saint Paul the Apostle Minor Seminary cemetery in the Diocese of Mangochi.

Bishop Montfort Sitima of the Diocese of Mangochi led the Requiem Mass (Mass for the dead) assisted by Bishop John Ryan of Mzuzu Diocese, Bishop Kanyama of Dedza Diocese, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Bishop Emeritus Alessandro Pagani of Mangochi Diocese and Bishop Emeritus Allan Chamgwera of Zomba Diocese.

In his remarks, Bishop Montfort Sitima said he was heartbroken to learn of the demise of Fr. Andrew Nkhata whom he worked with closely as Vicar General of Mangochi Diocese and confessed it would be a difficult task to find a replacement. He has therefore asked for prayers so that God should provide him with one like Fr. Andrew Nkhata.

The funeral was also attended by the State Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Right Honorable Saulos Klaus Chilima and former Head of State, Dr. Bakili Muluzi.

In his remarks, the State Vice President said time has come when people should learn to say good things about a person while he or she is alive and not wait until the person is dead. He also said Malawians should learn the good examples of the elders like former Head of State Dr. Bakili Muluzi who humbles himself by making himself available at functions like funeral ceremonies.

Late Fr. Andrew Nkhata was born on September 22, 1970 in Dedza and died on Monday in a road accident at Namiasi in Mangochi. He will be remembered as a dedicated, humble and gentle priest among others