Church Honours Late Malawi VP Chilima as Faithful Servant
Chilima and eight others died June 10 in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest. His funeral is Monday.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Religious leaders paid tribute to former Vice President Saulos Chilima during a memorial service Friday, honouring him as a devoutly faithful man dedicated to serving Malawi and the Catholic church, writes Martin Kamlaike.
Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, speaking on behalf of the Archbishop of Lilongwe, encouraged President Lazarus Chakwera to persevere in achieving goals he shared with the late Chilima.
"All things that Chilima wanted to do for this country will be achieved now that he has the power to control everything from above," Mwakhwawa said at the Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Area 18.
He described Chilima as "deep rooted in his faith" and a good example for the church, calling him "a man of all trade."
Mwakhwawa urged Chilima's widow, Mary, and family "to take heart and believe that not everything is gone," saying their aspirations can still be realized with the late VP's help from heaven.
The bishop appealed for continued peace and harmony "so that the soul of Saulos Chilima can rest in eternal peace."
Dr. Mathews Mtumbuka, chair of St. Patrick's Parish, called Chilima's death "an earthquake that has shattered" the church, describing him as the embodiment of Catholic virtues like humility.
"This church, we have built it with close to 2 billion kwacha. We built it in a very small period. Every Christian took part, but Dr. Saulos Chilima took a huge part," Mtumbuka said.
Rev. Henry Zulu, the parish priest, said Chilima was "not just a Christian but the cornerstone of the church" and an exemplary timekeeper.
Chilima and eight others died June 10 in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest. His funeral is Monday.