The Presidency Moans Retired Archbishop Remi Joseph Gustave Sainte-Marie

By Tamandani Zimbiri

The sitting President of the Republic of Malawi, his Vice, and Former President have expressed their deep grief over the death of Retired Archbishop Remi Joseph Gustave Sainte-Marie.

A statement from the office of the Secretary-General of The Episcopal Conference of Malawi, says Reverend Sainte-Marie died at his home in Canada where he was receiving treatment.

In his condolence message, President Lazarus Chakwera and the first lady expressed their heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Faithful.

Posting on his official Facebook page, the President and First Lady shared how saddened they are by his passing and the same time appreciated his contribution to the Catholic church of Malawi.

The Vice President, Salous Chilima, a Catholic, in his statement said: “Words fail us. Your departure, as you journey back into God’s kingdom, drains us all energies.”

Chilima said “…our comfort rests in our bearing testimony in how you totally invested your life in serving God and his flock….Our prayers are to all episcopes, all the congregation that you dedicated your life to serve, the wider catholic community and Malawi nation for this great loss.”

Former President, Peter Mutharika in his statement described Archbishop Remi Joseph Gustave Sainte-Marie as dedicated servant of God and a tremendous gift to the Church and our country.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Catholic Church fraternity, Christians in Malawi and the bereaved family in particular,” The Mutharikas said in a statement published on his official Facebook page.

The Episcopal has since then announced that the full program of funeral and burial ceremonies of late Marie will be communicated in due course.

According to a statement by the Episcopal of Malawi Secretary General Reverend Father Henry Saindi, Sainte-Marie was a member of the missionaries of Africa ( White Fathers) who was born on January 11, 1938.

He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1963, and was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dedza on September 7, 2000.

The statement further said: “On February 18, 2006, he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Lilongwe. On July 4, 2007, he was appointed Bishop of Lilongwe.”

“He was appointed Archbishop of Lilongwe on February 11, 2011, when the Diocese was raised to the status of an Archdiocese,” reads the statement in part.