Catholic Parishes
of Arlington

sT. camillus + sT. agnes

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2025 Missionary Cooperative Program

- “Children under five years suffer and die due to lack of essential drugs for child- related diseases and due to lack of nutritious food. Therefore, the Archdiocese of Lilongwe appeals for missionary financial assistance to buy essential drugs and food for the children who have malnutrition.” ~Bishop Vincent
  
  Please join us in supporting their efforts through your financial gifts and prayers. Your support saves lives and strengthens their community and the mission of the Church.
  
  Give to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith
- Building Faith, Inspiring Futures: The Story of MCP in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe
  
  Across the rolling hills and vibrant villages of Malawi’s central region, the home for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe the spirit of faith and community is alive and growing — thanks to the incredible partnership between the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) USA through the Missionary Cooperative Program (MCP). Together, we are writing a powerful story of hope, transformation, and resilience, showing that when faith is nurtured and communities are empowered, futures are forever changed. This is more than a partnership, it is a living testament to the Gospel in action.
  
  Advancing Social Development Initiatives
  The Missionary Cooperative Program has made a tangible impact the lives of the people especially children in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. With the assistance of TPMS USA, we have constructed children’s wards in hospitals, provided much-needed health services for children, and provision of educational materials to rural parishes. These projects have expanded access to healthcare, improved educational opportunities.
  
  Empowering Evangelization and Fostering Missionary Solidarity
  Thanks to TPMS USA’s support through the MCP, catechist training has strengthened our evangelization in rural areas, ensuring pastoral care where priests are scarce. In addition, visits of MCP teams have deepened global Catholic ties, bringing joy and renewed commitment to spreading the Gospel across our Archdiocese.
  
  Exciting News: A Special Visit from Bishop Vincent Mwakwawa! We are thrilled to announce that Bishop Vincent Mwakwawa, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, will be visiting the United States in early May! His visit aims to strengthen our growing partnership, share firsthand the impact of your support, and invite even deeper collaboration in our mission. Bishop Mwakwawa looks forward to meeting you personally — to thank you, to pray with you, and to inspire you to continue building faith and inspiring futures with us. Let us come together in joyful solidarity to welcome him and renew our shared commitment to the missionary spirit that transforms lives!
- The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe:
  Faith in Action
  
  Located in central Malawi, the Archdiocese of Lilongwe spans seven districts—Lilongwe, Mchinji, Kasungu, Dowa, Ntchisi, Salima, and Nkhotakota—covering 24,025 square kilometers. It serves a population of over 6 million, including 1.1 million Catholics and 56,000 catechumens. Founded as a vicariate in 1897, it became a diocese in 1959 and was elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese in 2011. It is led by Archbishop George Desmond Tambala and Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa. The patron is Our Lady of Africa, celebrated on April 30th. The Archdiocese includes: 49 parishes, 122 priests (62 diocesan, 60 missionary), 21 congregations of sisters and 2 of brothers, 27 kindergartens, 343 primary schools, 37 secondary schools, and 2 colleges, and 19 health facilities— many in partnership with Malawi’s Ministry of Health. Additional initiatives include: a printing press and a farm to bolster food security and economic resilience.
- Saving Young Lives: Strengthening Child Health
  
  The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe operates 19 rural health centers that provide essential care to Malawi’s most vulnerable children. Many face serious but preventable illnesses like malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, anemia, dermatitis, and malnutrition—conditions that cause nearly a quarter of under-five deaths in the region. These health centers often struggle with limited medicines, equipment, and diagnostic tools. While the government subsidizes malaria treatment, other services remain unaffordable for families living in extreme poverty. Through its Catholic Health Commission, the Archdiocese is launching a project to improve diagnosis and treatment at 10 rural health centers. The initiative will provide essential pediatric medicines, medical supplies, and basic diagnostic tools. The goal is reduce child illness and death by increasing access to quality care for over 15,000 children under five each year.
- Mission of Hope: Fighting Malnutrition
  
  Malnutrition remains a serious challenge in Malawi’s Central Region, contributing to nearly one in four deaths among children under five. Rural communities face chronic food insecurity, worsened by drought and poverty. The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe is working to strengthen its rural health centers, by providing supplies needed to care for children suffering from moderate and severe malnutrition. With limited government support and declining donor funding, the need is urgent.