Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu has said that Christmas, a time Christians set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ “is not a secular celebration.”
Speaking in his homily during mass at St Joseph the Worker sub-parish, through the diocese’s official radio, Tuntufye FM which Nyasa Times monitored, Mtumbuka called on the faithful in his jurisdiction and others throughout the world that they should “understand the meaning of Christmas and celebrate it is as such.”
He said it was disappointing that many Christians continue to misinterpret the significance of the time.
“To a non-believer Christmas is simply about eating and drinking, but to us it is a time that we reflect on the love of God, and how he humbled himself to redeem us,” said Mtumbuka.
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| Bishop Mtumbuka; Christmas not secular celebration |
The bishop also took time to thank people in all the five parishes of the diocese for being proactive in a number of projects currently underway.
Among others, the diocese, which is only about five years old is yet to finish construction of the cathedral, bishop’s house and caritas offices.
“You’ve been so generous and diligent, and I thank you for that,” he said.
Mtumbuka also hailed staff at Tuntufye FM radio for working round the clock in spreading the good news despite the many challenges they were facing.
Coincidentally, the remarks come when the radio is celebrating its first anniversary this month.
“I’m working tooth and nail so that you’ve all you need so that your work is much easier,” he said.
According to Mtumbuka, the radio, which gets as far as neighbours Tanzania and Zambia, was “receiving overwhelming support.”
He revealed that another transmitter to be installed at Livingstonia had already been purchased to widen the radio’s coverage.
“With the transmitter we hope we will able to meet the requirement of our license which is to broadcast throughout the northern region,” he said.
