Maula Cathedral Bids Farewell to Fr Chikanya and Fr Chikapa on 2nd Advent Sunday

On the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025, the Maula Cathedral community gathered for an emotional ceremony to bid farewell to our Parish Priest, Reverend Father Louis Chikanya, assistant priest, Reverend Father Geofrey Chikapa, and Seminarian Brother Bright Jossam.

The ceremony confirmed the new assignments for the departing clergy:

• Fr. Louis Chikanya is heading to Europe to serve at the Cathedral of Riga in Latvia.

• Fr. Geofrey Chikapa will remain within the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, moving to St. Anthony of Padua Parish as Curate Priest.

• Brother Bright Jossam is traveling to Spain to continue his vital studies in Theology.

  
  

From Left to Right: Br. Bright Jossam, Fr. Louis Chikanya and Fr. Geoffrey Chikapa

Speaking on behalf of both priests, Fr. Chikanya, jokingly shared the initial shock of the transfer, emphasizing his commitment to obedience:

"When I was told that I should move from this parish, it was like, oh, okay. Then it came to me, oh, it's the bishop telling me, I have to obey."

Fr. Chikanya spoke candidly about his new, unexpected mission abroad:

"I will be serving in Latvia, the Cathedral of Riga in Latvia. I have no idea. I have never gone there. I don’t know the people of that country. The culture I don't know. So, I will need your prayers."

Our Parish Priest bids us farewell and expresses gratitude for the gifts, advice, and counsel from the parishioners. Thank you for your leadership, Fr. Chikanya!

He reflected fondly on his time at Maula, noting that his two-year stay felt like five years due to the closeness of the community. He also expressed gratitude for the synergy between the parish and Radio Alinafe, where he served as Director, which eased his workload and pressure.

"The support that the parish offered to the radio was wonderful," he noted.

Fr. Chikanya reflecting on his two years of wonderful ministry at Maula. We will continue to pray for him as he serves the Universal Church in Europe

The outgoing priests offered deep gratitude for the support received from the parishioners.

Fr. Chikanya stated:

"Father Geofrey and I are so grateful for your support in different ways. Your gifts, your advice, your counsels have been so wonderful. Thank you so much... This will remind us of your love."

The priests also asked the community for forgiveness:

"One thing I will ask of you... is to forgive us for anything wrong that we did to you." Fr. Chikanya added that he himself holds no grievance: "In my case, I don't remember anybody doing anything wrong to me."

Br. Josub (in white) and Fr. Chikapa, a dedicated priest, a memorable preacher. Thank you, Fr. Chikapa, for your passion for the Gospel!

On his part, Brother Bright Jossam expressed sincere gratitude to community members for their hospitality and guidance during his stay, acknowledging how the community nurtured his well-being and helped him grow.

Br. Bright expressing gratitude for the community's hospitality and guidance during his time at Maula Cathedral

Speaking on behalf of the international community, Chekwas Okoronkwo captured the community’s "mixed feelings": joy for the time shared, but sadness at their departure, which he deemed "not very, very welcome and comfortable for all of us" due to the priests' significant contributions.

Chekwas Okoronkwo, representing the International Community, thanking the priests for their tremendous contribution to the parish, especially the implementation of new groups

Mr. Okoronkwo specifically praised Frs. Chikanya and Chikapa for their successful implementation of the Archbishop’s reform to divide the international community into groups.

"For a lot of us that do come here, not only during Sundays, since the introduction of the dividing every international community into groups, the Archbishop made this reform and it fell on their hands to get it implemented. And you will agree with me that they have done a good job in doing that implementation." he stated.

He reminded the departing priests to carry the image of the children receiving Holy Communion on that same day as a "parting gift."

The parish will remain under the temporary administration of the outgoing priests until the new Parish Priest, Fr. Francis Lekaleka, returns to assume the post.

Brother Bright is scheduled to depart for Spain this coming Friday.

We wish Fr. Chikanya, Fr. Chikapa, and Brother Bright God’s blessings and continued strength as they take up their new assignments.

Contributors: Edwin Sitima (Writer) and Jerry Mathews (Photographer)