The Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) through the Faculty of Theology has introduced short courses that are to help the catechists and laity in the country attain some academic orientation for their various ministries in the Church.
The Registrar of the University Francis Vincent Nkhoma said the short courses are to help the Catholic faithful in Malawi to deepen their faith by understanding in detail the teachings of the Church.
“We have introduced these courses, first to assist our Catholics, especially those that are trusted to serve in different positions within the Church and our Catechists, and secondly for all those that may wish to do the study,” said Nkhoma.
He added that the courses will equip the catechists and the laity in serving better the Catholic faithful in their respective parishes.
The Registrar further added that the University is set to start registering for two short certificates: a Certificate in Family and Pastoral Care and a Certificate in Church Leadership and Conflict Management from May 2022.
Courses that are to be taught for the award of the certificates include Leadership and Ministry, Theology of the Environment, Theology of the Family, Leadership and Conflict resolution, Christian Faith and Politics, Ethics of a Business Leader, Introduction to the Bible, Catholic Social Teaching, The Church and Contemporary Issues.
Through the short courses, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), wish to see that the Catholic faithful are genuinely conversant with matters of faith and the Christian doctrine so that they become better Catholics who can propagate and defend their faith.
Established in 2006, the Catholic University of Malawi has seven faculties, namely; Commerce, Education, Law, Nursing and Midwifery, Social Sciences, Science and Theology.
The University offers various diploma and degree programmes that are accredited by the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) in Malawi.