Hundreds of people yesterday escorted Catholic priest the Reverend Father Francis Damaseke on his last mile as he was laid to rest in Likuni, Lilongwe.
Renowned for his teachings through social media platforms, the priest who served under the Archdiocese of Lilongwe died on Saturday after a short illness.
First Vice-President Jane Ansah, UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe, Rumphi Central legislator Matthews Mtumbuka (UTM Party), Malawi Congress Party representative Zebron Chilondola and Mary Chilima, widow of former vice-president Saulos Chilima, were among high-profile dignitaries.
Clergy from across the country attended the funeral, including Bishop Peter Chifukwa of Dedza, Bishop Montfort Sitima of Mangochi, Archbishop Thomas Msusa of Archdiocese of Blantyre, Bishop Yohane Nyirenda of Mzuzu, Bishop Alfred Mateyu Chaima of Zomba and MCCB secretary general Father Valeriano Mtseka.
Damaseke was until his death serving at Nathenje Parish in Lilongwe, where he was posted in 2024.
In a homily delivered on behalf of Archbishop Desmond Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Monsignor Patrick Thawale described the departed priest as a man of deep faith and tireless commitment to his calling.
“He was a hard worker. Let us emulate his faith and dedication. Let us work hard and serve God wholeheartedly,” he said.
Thawale also hailed Damaseke for embracing digital platforms to spread the Gospel, contrasting his approach with the misuse of social media to attack others.
In his eulogy, Archdiocese of Lilongwe Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa also called on people to emulate Damaseke’s love of God.
“People nowadays have more love for money. People must love God and not earthly things,” he said.
Born in 1986 and ordained in 2016, Damaseke ministered at Mlale from 2016 to 2017 then Chilinde from 2017 to 2019, St Patrick’s Parish in Area 18 from 2019 to 2021 and the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) from 2021 to 2024 before his transfer to Nathenje.
