Catholic Secretariat, Lilongwe — The Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Most Reverend GianLuca Perici, has commended the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) for their commitment to pastoral and missionary work across the country.
Archbishop Perici paid an official visit to the MCCB during its First Annual Plenary Assembly for 2026, held from 26 to 30 January at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe. He formally met the Bishops on Thursday as part of his engagement with the Episcopal Conferences of the region, following a similar visit to the Zambian Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) earlier this week.
In an interview with MCCB Communications, the Holy See envoy described the plenary meeting as an important opportunity to engage directly with the Bishops and to gain deeper insight into the life and mission of the Church in Malawi. He expressed appreciation for the work being carried out in the dioceses, noting with satisfaction the positive pastoral initiatives undertaken by the Bishops and their collaborators.
Archbishop Perici said he was encouraged by the Bishops’ dedication to their pastoral responsibilities and by the closeness between the clergy and the faithful. He particularly welcomed the accessibility of Bishops and priests to the people, describing this as a vital sign of a living and missionary Church.
The Nuncio noted that participation in the plenary assemblies of both Malawi and Zambia enables him to share firsthand information with the Holy Father regarding the pastoral and missionary life of the Church in the region. Through dialogue with the Bishops, he listened to their experiences, pastoral priorities, and challenges faced in their dioceses.
He emphasized that such encounters, together with his pastoral visits to dioceses and parishes, provide valuable insights that help inform the Holy Father about how the Church is carrying out its mission in this part of Africa. The Holy Father, he said, remains keenly interested in understanding how pastoral work is progressing and how the Church continues to serve God’s people in the region.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) expressed its delight in the Apostolic Nuncio’s visit, describing it as a source of encouragement and communion.
The Bishops said the visit will strengthen them in their pastoral mission and deepen their unity with the Holy See as they continue to serve the Church and the People of God in Malawi.