Patrick Kalilombe
Encyclopedia
Patrick Augustine Kalilombe M. Afr
(born 28 August 1933 in Mua
, Malawi [formerly Nyasaland]) is a Roman Catholic theologian who was the Bishop of Lilongwe from 1972 to 1979.
Kalilombe was ordained a priest with the White Fathers
in 1958, and joined the staff at Kachebere Seminary in 1964, being appointed rector
in 1968. In 1972 he was ordained Bishop
of Lilongwe Diocese in Malawi
, but in 1976 a conflict arose between the church and the government of Hastings Banda
. According to Kalilombe himself, the church was accused of "forming clandestine subversive groups which were working against the party
and did not show respect and obedience to the Life President
." Kalilombe was asked to leave the country, and when he did return briefly in July 1976, he was placed under house arrest
. However, he did not resign as bishop until 1979. Margaret Hebblethwaite suggests that "several years later the bishops of Malawi supported the view that Kalilombe would not be welcomed back."
Kalilombe obtained a Ph.D.
from the University of California, Berkeley
before taking up an appointment as Third World Lecturer in the Mission Department of the Selly Oak Colleges
in Birmingham
. In 1987 he became Director of the Ecumenical Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership.
He has been described as the "darling of Catholic progressives in Britain."
White Fathers
The missionary society known as "White Fathers" , after their dress, is a Roman Catholic Society of Apostolic Life founded in 1868 by the first Archbishop of Algiers, later Cardinal Lavigerie, as the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa of Algeria, and is also now known as the Society of the...
(born 28 August 1933 in Mua
Mua, Malawi
Mua is a village in the Dedza District of Malawi, close to the Dezda Plateau. The village is the seat of the most ancient Roman Catholic mission of Malawi, the Mua Mission, as well as a cultural centre and museum created by the missionaries, the KuNgoni Centre of Culture and Art....
, Malawi [formerly Nyasaland]) is a Roman Catholic theologian who was the Bishop of Lilongwe from 1972 to 1979.
Kalilombe was ordained a priest with the White Fathers
White Fathers
The missionary society known as "White Fathers" , after their dress, is a Roman Catholic Society of Apostolic Life founded in 1868 by the first Archbishop of Algiers, later Cardinal Lavigerie, as the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa of Algeria, and is also now known as the Society of the...
in 1958, and joined the staff at Kachebere Seminary in 1964, being appointed rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
in 1968. In 1972 he was ordained Bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
of Lilongwe Diocese in Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, but in 1976 a conflict arose between the church and the government of Hastings Banda
Hastings Banda
Hastings Kamuzu Banda was the leader of Malawi and its predecessor state, Nyasaland, from 1961 to 1994. After receiving much of his education overseas, Banda returned to his home country to speak against colonialism and advocate for independence...
. According to Kalilombe himself, the church was accused of "forming clandestine subversive groups which were working against the party
Malawi Congress Party
The Malawi Congress Party is a political party in Malawi.It was the successor to the Nyasaland African Congress , which was banned in 1959.The MCP was founded by Hastings Banda and other NAC leaders in 1960....
and did not show respect and obedience to the Life President
President for Life
President for Life is a title assumed by some dictators to remove their term limit, in the hope that their authority, legitimacy, and term will never be disputed....
." Kalilombe was asked to leave the country, and when he did return briefly in July 1976, he was placed under house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
. However, he did not resign as bishop until 1979. Margaret Hebblethwaite suggests that "several years later the bishops of Malawi supported the view that Kalilombe would not be welcomed back."
Kalilombe obtained a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
before taking up an appointment as Third World Lecturer in the Mission Department of the Selly Oak Colleges
Selly Oak Colleges
Selly Oak Colleges was a Federation of educational facilities, primarily concerned with theology and social work, in Birmingham, England. The Federation was for many years associated with the University of Birmingham...
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. In 1987 he became Director of the Ecumenical Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership.
He has been described as the "darling of Catholic progressives in Britain."