Chakwera hails Catholic bishops epistle: ‘God talking to Malawi’
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential hopeful Lazarus Chakwera has hailed the Catholic bishops pastoral letter, describing it as God talking to Malawi.
Speaking at Kapiri in Mchinji on Sunday at a campaign rally, Chakwera—a cleric who served as Malawi Assemblies of God president before joining frontline politics in 2013—said the pastoral letter nailed it perfectly on problems facing the country.
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)—a grouping of Catholic bishops—issued a pastoral which was read in all Catholic churches on Sunday in which, among others, they expressed concern over rising tribalism in the country, political violence, impunity, corruption, dysfunctional public services and poor governance.
“The government should take heed of the problems highlighted in the pastoral letter because the church has a prophetic role. The government must listen,” Chakwera said.
MCP leader said once in power, his government would listen to any piece of advice from the church.
He advised the government not to respond to the pastoral letter but instead correct the wrongs in government highlighted in the pastoral letter.
“We look up to you religious leaders to speak out on such issues. We will listen and we will come to you for advice,” said Chakwera.
UTM Party has also said the influential Catholic Church has given credence for appetite of change of leadership in the country.
“There is need for regime change so that things change for the betterment of our country. We are propagating change, we want to change such,” said UTM spokesman Joseph Chidanti Malunga.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has not given any comment to the bishops’ epistle.
Cadets learn to change pliz
Chakwera please, a lot of us Catholics know MCP as a violent party which killed thousands of people and YOU who is related to John Tembo has revived that violent character of MCP. You have chased people from the southern region, you have damaged property and businesses including killing police and destroying government property.
Chakwera simunamvetsetse. The Bishops are endorsing Mbakuwaku
Bola osadyetsana Khala la moto with Bishop Mtumbuka and Msusa. The Late Bishop Chimole, Arc Bishop Chiona and Mkholi are rolling in their graves hearing this. Dyela mpaka supporting the MCP that planned and threatened to Kill the Bishops and wipe out the catholic church. Malawi wa lero eh. Nepotism and corruption
Oh really? THE BISHOPS CANNOT SIDE WITH SATANS, KILLERS, TERRORRISTS
In this Letter from this group, in your own understanding,according to your version, who are the Satans and killers? @ james Banda. You see where you are problem is, you are bitter more than the Government. If it would be Mgeme, I would understand that he is the spokes person of Muntharika as a president. I have said in part because your say,seems to hate what the bishop has said and accepted by the other side of people in this case Chakwera, you see James, this type of thinking it is easily showing how foolish you are. Just a mentioning… Read more »
…hailed the catholic bishops pastoral letter, describing it as God talking to Malawi. This is yet another letter of the many they the bishops wrote over the years. The only one important letter is the first one that helped to change the political landscape in 1993. All others that have followed have failed to bring any significance.People will vote the party of their choice and it could be MCP or DPP.