Mutharika Apologizes to Livingstonia Synod

Mutharika who is seen as Malawi's own biblical Moses by his supporters

President Bingu Wa Mutharika has apologized to Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) over remarks made by his Chief Political Advisor Heatherwick Ntaba, who described the Synod as "spiritually bankrupt".

Government has since withdrawn the remarks unreservedly saying the Synod whose core base is the DPP stronghold is the last to be irked. 

The Synod's Programme Manager for the Church and Society Programme, Moses Mkandawire told the media that the country's political impasse was as a result of the President's reluctance to deal with the controversial Section 65. And in his reaction, Ntaba who is also the DPP Secretary General said the remark by the Synod was an indication of "spiritual bankruptcy".

Meeting the Synod's hierarchy on Thursday, Presidential Advisor on Religious Affairs, Rev. Malan Mtonga said President Mutharika was equally aggrieved over the remarks.

"The President relies on Livingstonia Synod for Spiritual guidance. He therefore sent me to deliver his apologies to the Synod over the remarks made by Dr. Ntaba. We regret the hurt that you have gone through as a result of these remarks. We therefore withdraw the statement," said Mtonga, to the Synod's General Secretary, Rev. Matiya Nkhoma.

Mtonga pleaded with the Church to bury the hatchet and continue working with the government of President Mutharika.

"And the President wants to promote dialogue at all levels of the society. We have to keep on meeting whenever we have differences. We should not be sorting out our differences through the media," said Mtonga.

Mtonga said it was the wish of government to work closely with the Church in meting the holistic needs of the people. In his words, the Synod boss said he was overwhelmed by what he described as "humility" of the President to apologize to the Synod over the remarks.

"We are very much humbled by the gesture of the President to this effect. We have accepted his apology and we look forward to continue our close working relationship with government in its endeavours to develop the country," Nkhoma, told Nyasa Times.  

Apparently out of pressure, when the Church and Society Programme made its statement the Synod disassociated itself from the statement and said it was not the stand of the Church, but personal stand of the programme's director.  

Meanwhile, President Mutharika will attend the dedication ceremony of new Bandawe CCAP Church building in Nkata-Bay on Sunday.  

Livingstonia Synod has thrown its weight behind President Mutharika and has for a long time now been pressurizing the President to pick on Finance Minister Goodal Gondwe as his running mate during the May 2009 polls.