Speaking on behalf of His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who also attended the funeral service, Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima said the President was saddened by the death of Bishop Kanyama who he described as dedicated to the work of God.



He said Bishop Kanyama was also a man who was always careful with his words which he said helped to foster unity among the Catholic faithful in the diocese.
On this point Dr Chilima announced that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika condoled the mother to late Bishop Kanyama with One million Kwacha.
The late Bishop Emmanuel Kanyama was born on December 25, 1962 at Kanyama Village, Traditional Authority Kasumbu in Dedza District.



He followed his priestly studies at St. Anthony Kachebere Major Seminary where he was awarded a Diploma in Philosophy before moving to St Peter’s Major Seminary where he studied Theology and was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology.
He was ordained Priest on August 4, 1990 at Mtendere Parish in Dedza, where his parents settled. He served as lecturer at St. Kizito Minor Seminary in the same diocese from 1990 to 1992.
From 1992 to 1996, Late Bishop Kanyama studied at the Pontifical University of Urbaniana in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate and Doctorate Degree in Philosophy.



After his studies, he was appointed lecturer in Philosophy at St. Anthony Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji, where he also served in the office of the Acting Rector for six years.
He was consecrated and installed Bishop on October 6, 2007 at Bembeke Cathedral succeeding Bishop Remi Ste-Marie who had been transferred to Lilongwe diocese by then.
Bishop Kanyama was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Dedza by Pope Benedict XVI on July 4, 2007.
He has over the years served as chairman for the Council of the Catholic University in Malawi, Bishop Chairman for Social Communications and Research Commission and ECM Board of Trustees for Ecumenical Counselling Centre (ECC) amongst other positions.
Bishop Kanyama died of high blood pressure on Saturday in Mchinji district when he went to visit his mother.