Blantyre, Malawi – The Bible Society of Malawi (BSM) has reaffirmed its commitment to working hand in hand with the Catholic Church in advancing the mission of making the Word of God accessible and transformative across Malawi, during a courtesy call on His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa.

The BSM delegation was led by the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Rabson Mgawi, and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mphatso Bello.

A Celebration of a Flourishing Partnership

In his address themed “Walking Together in Service of the Word of God: Strengthening the Partnership Between the Catholic Church and the Bible Society of Malawi,” Dr. Mgawi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Catholic Church for its steadfast support of Scripture ministry and its openness to collaboration with the Bible Society of Malawi. He described the partnership as “a valuable testimony of what can be achieved when the Church and a servant ministry such as the Bible Society of Malawi work together in unity.”

Dr. Mgawi also acknowledged the dedicated service of Father Joseph Sikwese, who serves on the BSM Board of Directors as the representative of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, commending his contribution and commitment to the shared mission.

Bible Distribution on the Rise

Highlighting the tangible fruits of the partnership, Dr. Mgawi informed the Archbishop that there is an increase in Buku Loyera (Catholic Edition) distribution nationwide in 2025 a clear indication of the increasing hunger for Scripture among Malawians.

The Vice Chairman also commended the Catholic Church for the Bible Month initiative, held each September, describing it as a powerful platform that raises awareness of the Holy Scriptures and encourages deeper engagement with God’s Word among the faithful. He further applauded the Church’s continued commitment to purchasing and promoting the Buku Loyera, noting that this support contributes significantly to the achievement of BSM’s vision and mission.

Archbishop Applauds BSM’s Mission

Responding to the delegation, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa applauded the Bible Society of Malawi for the important work it continues to do in making the Bible available and accessible to the people of Malawi. His Grace emphasised the critical importance of the Word of God in Malawi’s national life, describing it as the moral compass that the nation needs in the face of the evils plaguing the world today, particularly corruption.

The Archbishop stressed that in a nation grappling with moral challenges, the Scriptures remain the surest guide for upright living and national transformation, urging all Malawians to anchor their lives in the teachings of the Bible.

Room for Greater Impact

While celebrating the progress made, Dr. Mgawi noted that there remains considerable opportunity for growth, particularly given the size and influence of the Catholic Church in Malawi. He expressed confidence that through strengthened collaboration, structured distribution, and continued advocacy for Scripture engagement, access to God’s Word can be expanded even further  reaching more families, parishes, and communities across the country.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The courtesy call was hailed as a significant step in deepening the ties between the Bible Society of Malawi and the Catholic Church. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to walking together in service and partnership, ensuring that the Word of God continues to transform lives throughout Malawi.