President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has expressed shock over the death of Right Reverend Remi Sainte-Marie, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

Reverend Remi Sainte-Marie died on Saturday in Canada where he was receiving medical treatment.

In a statement made available to faceofmalawi Chakwera described the death of Reverend Remi Sainte-Marie as a big loss to the Catholic Church.

On his part Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima said he was saddened with the death of the Archbishop.

“Worlds fail us. Your departure, as you journey back into God’s kingdom, drains us all energies,” reads in part the statement.

On 7 September 2000, he was consecrated Bishop of Dedza and later on 18 February 2006 he became coadjutor bishop for the Diocese of Lilongwe.

He became the bishop of Lilongwe on 4 July 2007.

When the diocese of Lilongwe was being raised to the status of Archdiocese, on 9 February 2011, he was installed as the Archbishop for the new Archdiocese.

He served the archdiocese until his retirement in 2013.

Archbishop Sainte-Marie was born on 11 January 1938, he was ordained a priest on 29 June 1963.

He was a member of the Missionaries of Africa that are also known as White Fathers.