Scottish Catholic Observer

Catholics are mourning the death of a Malawian bishop who once celebrated Mass for Scottish pupils who were visiting his diocese.

Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza (above), 59, the Ordinary of Mzuzu Diocese and president of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, was travelling alone in a car yesterday when he was involved in the fatal accident.

An African missionary travelling to Mzuzu spotted the bishop’s car by the side of the road and found him thrown from the vehicle. Bishop Zuza was rushed to hospital but later died.

In 2013, the bishop had celebrated Mass for pupils and staff from St Matthew’s Academy in Saltcoats. The group had travelled to Mzuzu to visit St Peter’s Secondary School which St Matthew’s had formed a partnership with. Bishop Zuza had welcomed the schoolchildren to the town upon their arrival.

Malawian President Peter Mutharika has sent his condolences to the Church in Malawi.

Bishop Zuza was born on October 2, 1955, ordained in 1982 and appointed Bishop of Mzuzu in 1995. He was the Malawian representative at last year’s Synod on the Family, and had spoken out against ‘un-African’ influences in Malawi, which he said were leading young people to adopt unchristian lifestyles.

The Vatican news service said the bishop would be greatly missed adding that the Bishop was know for his ‘pastoral zeal and simple way of life’ and ‘had no problems going into the market to do his own shopping for groceries or vegetables.’

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