Blantyre, March 5: Thousands of people led by Bishop Thomas Msusa of Zomba Diocese mourned late Fr. Henry Chaona at a Requiem Mass celebrated in Zomba Cathedral before burying his remains at Sacred Heart Cemetery for the Clergy.
Bishop Thomas Msusa told the congregation that he could not really take it that his beloved priest was dead considering that when he visited him last Wednesday at Malamulo Hospital in Blantyre he showed signs of fitness.
“...Oh Lord my God, what is that I did not do to save the life of my priest? I had many plans for him but all are in vain. We planned together about the future of Nankhunda Minor Seminary but today who will carry out all the plans? Today I am really a fool for failing to know your will on the tragedy before us..." Msusa said.
The Bishop agreed with Fr. Callistus Nakhwala whose preached moved everybody in the Cathedral that the death of Fr. Henry Chaona is the GOOD NEWS to all of us. Fr. Callistus said that by getting distinctions academically until his Masters in Science of Education and Licence for teaching in universities and Secondary Schools, by initiating very good projects at Zomba Cathedral when he was the Parish Priests.
And by leading the Local Clergy in Zomba to have a project of two girls hostel at Catholic University Fr. Henry has left good news to the people. Fr. Callistus highlighted Fr. Henry's passion for assisting his mother and the rest of the relatives, his passion for prayers and the spirit of confessing sins regularly.
People from all corners of Malawi were there including Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye and Bishop Montfort Sitima of Blantyre Archdiocese, Bishops Allesandro Pagani, Peter Musikuwa, Emmanuel Kanyama of Mangochi, Chikwawa and Dedza Dioceses respectively, Bishop emeritus of Zomba Allan Chamgwera, the Rectors of both Kachebere and St. Peter's Major Seminary, Fr. George Buleya the Secretary General of ECM various superiors of various congregations in the country, Fr. Kimu of Radio Maria and Catholic University officials
BIOGRAPHY OF THE LATE FR. HENRY CHAONA
Zomba Diocese sadly announced the death of Rev. Fr. Henry Chaona,who passed away on Saturday 3rd March 2nd 2013 at Malamulo Adventist in Blantyre at around 9:00hrs.
Late Fr. Henry was born on 21st January in 1969 and was ordained priest on 13th July 1996 by late Bishop emeritus of Lilongwe Diocese Patrick Kalilombe at Zomba Cathedral.
He was hailing from Thondwe Parish, Buleya Village TA Chikowi in Zomba District.
He died while serving as Rector of Child Jesus Minor Seminary at Nankhunda and was in his second term as Chairperson of Local Clergy.
Since ordination to priesthood he served in the following portfolios:
1996 : Curate at Magomero Parish
1997 – 2001: Child Jesus Minor Seminary- Teacher and Formator
2001 – 2003: Parish Priest - Zomba Cathedral
2003 – 2007: Studies in Science of Education (pedagogy) at Salesian Pontifical University in Italy
2007 – 2008: Curate at Domasi Parish
2008 – 2009: Teacher and Formator at Child Jesus Minor Seminary
2009 -2013: Rector at the minor seminary and Chairman of Local Clergy
Motto : “ WE THANK YOU FOR COUNTING US WORTHY TO STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE AND SERVE YOU” (Eucharistic prayer no. 2)
The deceased was admitted at Malamulo Adventist Hospital on 27th February 2013 after feeling uncomfortable for some days.
On 27th February 2013 the Doctors diagnosed his ailing condition as TB and immediately he was on drugs.
Signs of improvement were noticed but Saturday 2nd March 2013 he breathed his last at around 9am while being cared for by the guardian of the day Fr. Philip Mumbulu.
According to the guardian, the people caring for him did not expect the sudden death as early hours of the day the deceased asked Fr. Philip to walk along with him delivering some messages to be given to the priests of Zomba Diocese who were then having a Lenten Recollection at Thondwe Pastoral Centre.
