Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa has expressed shock with the passing of one of the longest serving leader of the Catholic Church Arch Bishop Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye who died in the early hours of today, Monday, December 14, 2020 in Namibia.
In a press Statement made available to this publication, Nankhumwa sent his deepest condolences to his family and the Catholic Family.
“I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his family, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, the Catholic community and the people of Malawi for this loss and I pray for peace and comfort during this most difficult time,” Nankhumwa said.
Recognizing the good deeds Archbishop Ziyaye did whilst alive, Nankhumwa said he served both the Catholic Church and people of Malawi with Distinction “as Auxiliary Bishop of Dedza, Coadjutor Bishop of Lilongwe, Bishop of Lilongwe, Archbishop of Blantyre and, finally, Archbishop of Lilongwe.”
Adding to that Nankhumwa said he shall always respect the late Archbishop Ziyaye for his exceptional leadership in liturgical worship in the Catholic Church and his strong commitment to the ministerial formation.
Nankhumwa added; “I also admire him for his personal courage and selfless contribution towards the fight against the notorious one-party dictatorship under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).”
Nankhumwa added that Archbishop Ziyaye displayed courage couple with genuine patriotism displayed by Archbishop Ziyaye in cohort with the other famous ‘1992 Pastoral Letter’ Bishops that brought about political freedom and multiparty democracy in Malawi in 1993 and 1994.
“It is for these reasons that I wish to join the entire Catholic faithful and the nation in celebrating the life of ARCHBISHOP TARCISIUS GERVAZIO ZIYAYE and honouring his legacy. He was a great leader; ever smiling and with a kind heart,” he said.
