Archbishop Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, has died, the Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has announced.

He was 71.

ECM Secretary General Rev. Fr. Henry Saindi said Archbishop Ziyaye died in the early hours of December 14, 2020 in Namibia where he was receiving medical treatment.

Fr. Saindi further said the Catholic Church has lost a great pillar and will miss Archbishop Ziyaye’s services.

Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye was born on May 19, 1949 at Khombe Village, Ludzi Parish, in Mchinji District.

He was ordained priest on August 14, 1977 and later appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Dedza on January 21, 1992 and consecrated on May 23, 1992 at Bembeke.

On May 29, 1993, he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Lilongwe. On November 29, 1994, he was appointed Bishop of Lilongwe. He was appointed Archbishop of Blantyre on February 15, 2001.

On July 5, 2013, he was appointed Archbishop of Lilongwe and was installed on September 21.

Archbishop Ziyaye has been a priest for 43 years and a bishop for 28 years.