United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has expressed shock over the death of Archbishop Tarcisius G. Ziyaye of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

Bishop Ziyaye died of colony cancer on the wee hours of Monday in Namibia where he was receiving treatment.

Writing on his official facebook page, Atupele said the country has lost a humble man with great intellect and full of compassion.

“The United Democratic Front (UDF) wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi and the whole Catholic family on the death of Archbishop Tarcisius G. Ziyaye who passed on in the morning hours of Monday, 14th December 2020 in Namibia.

“Archbishop Ziyaye was a humble man with great intellect and full of compassion. He was patriotic and had a profound understanding for the people of Malawi and their plight. He was an early advocate for multi-party democracy and shepherded many leaders to the new political dispensation after the end of the single party rule. He will be fondly remembered in history as one of the great sons of Malawi for his leadership and humility,” wrote Atupele.

He added: “Archbishop Ziyaye’s Catholic faith was his lodestar. We pray that the light of God’s face shines on all those who mourn his passing in the darkness of our grief. Let our prayers guide his soul to our Heavenly Father.

“During these dark moments may we all take solace in the following scriptures:Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
We mourn with the Catholic Church,We mourn with the Episcopal Conference.”

Ziyaye died at the age of 71.