By Chisomo Phiri
Bishop Alinafe Kalemba of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi has made a passionate plea for unity in the church, emphasizing that internal divisions and strife are counterproductive in addressing the various challenges faced by the community.
He made the call during the consecration of St. Andrews Anglican Church at Chigodi in Blantyre on Sunday.
According to Bishop Kalemba, the new church will serve as a beacon of hope not only for the congregants but also for the surrounding communities in Kachere Township.
“This new church is a symbol of unity and hope for our community.
“It will provide a platform for people to come together, worship, and receive spiritual nourishment,” he said.
Vizenge Kumwenda, the Group Managing Director of NICO Holdings, who was the guest of honor at the event, echoed the bishop’s sentiments.
“This new church will provide a platform for more people in surrounding communities to receive God’s word and experience His love and grace,” he said.
He said the consecration of St. Andrews Anglican Church marks an important milestone in the growth and development of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi.
“The new church is expected to serve as a hub for community activities, outreach programs, and spiritual growth, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among the faithful,” he added.
The Anglican Church was founded in 1534 by King Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy, which pronounced the Church of England independent of the Catholic Church in Rome.
Today, the Anglican Church consists of more than 86 million members worldwide in over 165 countries.
Collectively, these national churches are known as the Anglican Communion, meaning all are in communion with and recognize the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In the United States, the American church of the Anglican Communion is called the Protestant Episcopal Church, or simply the Episcopal Church.
In most of the rest of the world, it is called Anglican.
