Ryan consecrated Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese

The Catholic Church in the country has asked newly consecrated Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, John Ryan, to prioritise preparing souls for heaven, saying heaven is more important than the social projects that the church embarks on.

Speaking after consecrating him at Mzuzu Upper Stadium yesterday, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese, said as much as people appreciate developmental activities that the church has been carrying out, and also projects and education that Ryan has embarked on, the new bishop’s focus should be on preparing souls for heaven.

Mtumbuka also advised the new bishop to be courageous, saying all problems in the diocese are now under his care.

“The most important thing is helping Christians to embrace Christ and also prepare souls for heaven. We are proud of the developments that you have embarked on in the diocese, but the most important thing is to prepare souls for heaven,” said Mtumbuka.

He commended Pope Francis for choosing Ryan to lead Mzuzu Diocese, saying the death of Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza left a big gap in the diocese.

President Peter Mutharika, who graced the occasion together with his wife, Vice-President Saulos Chilima, MCP president Lazarus Chakwera and various politicians, described the new bishop as a gift from God to the diocese, and the country. He said Ryan is a committed person and has the heart of empowering others.

Ryan was appointed Bishop of the diocese on April 6 following the death of Zuza on January 15 2015.

Ryan was born in 1952 and was raised on a farm in the parish of Holy Cross in the County Tipperay, Ireland where he enjoyed working on the farm during his free time. He was born in a Catholic family of seven boys and three girls. n