For the first time in the history of St Anthony’s Kachebere Major Seminary of the Catholic Church under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), 42 Seminarians who have completed their three year Philosophical course have been awarded with degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy under the Catholic University of Malawi.
Presiding over the graduation ceremony at Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji, Chairperson of the University Council Rt. Rev. Dr. Martin Mtumbuka said the event was a historical one because no one who has passed through the seminary has ever been awarded with a degree.
“Basically, I must admit that I am very grateful and sincerely expresses my gratitude that we have managed to reach this far. This symbolizes the growth of the Catholic University in Malawi and the Church as a whole,” he said.
His Lordship Bishop Mtumbuka said plans are underway that Catholic University should open up satellite Colleges in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Karonga for evening classes to provide a chance for those willing to pursue their education to do so.
For his part, Rector for Kachebere Major Seminary, Fr. Raphael Mbendera said the knowledge that they have acquired for the past three years should help them become a little bit better every day, be more human, understanding and more committed to their vocation hence be matured.
“So the key question today is not what this degree will bring me. The profitable question is; what is in me? What lessons have I learnt? What qualities have I cultivated?” he said.
Fr. Mbendera added: “As you go out of this seminary, know that you have the duty to bring the good picture of Kachebere Seminary to wherever you are going. We wish you well and every success as you continue to pursue your vocation to priesthood”.
The academic dean, Fr. Frank Chingale in his speech thanked the Episcopal Conference of Malawi through the Bishops for all that has been accomplished.
“It has been a long process to be affiliated to the Catholic University because we started with the University of Malawi, then Catholic University of Eastern Africa and finally Catholic University of Malawi. I remember Bishop Mtumbuka telling us that we don’t have to go far, we have our own Catholic University. It is not a choice but we must go for it,” he said.
He said Philosophy is studied in the seminary so that students are able to keep in mind that they are candidates for priesthood hence its justification and significance is aimed at learning to think profoundly in terms of being and of objectivity, to sharpen the critical sense, to help to grow avid for the truth wherever it may be found and to learn to detect and refute errors.
He also said Philosophy is studied by seminarians to form the intelligence or mind, overcome irrational or lack of trust on reason, overcome the difficulties, relativism of our time, form the criterion of a person and to aspire to know and be open for the truth.
“In addition, it helps to know how to dialogue and argue with other people of different cultures and religions. Finally to help to study well theology which is faith seeking understanding,” he said.
Earlier before the graduation ceremony, His Grace Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye, the Archbishop for Lilongwe Archdiocese lead the Eucharistic mass in which during his homily called on for people to be united for the glory of God.
Out of the 42 seminarians who were awarded with Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Brother Nestory Kamude passed with a second upper class honours while twenty and twenty one students passed with credits and passes respectively.
After the Philosophical formation at Kachebere Seminary, the Seminarians will go to St. Peter’s Senior Seminary in Zomba for theological formation.
