Clergy caution Malawi leader: ‘Don’t be Jezebel’
The Malawian clergy have warned President Joyce Banda not to be obsessed with infatuations of power and depart from the ways of the Lord and become a ‘Jezebel’.
The caution was made on Friday at Comesa Hall in Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre during prayers held to commemorate the 48th Independence celebrations anniversary.
In his sermon broadcast live on state channel MBC, the head of the Anglican Church in Malawi Bishop James Tengatenga advised the Malawian fourth president not to be possessed with power saying the shackles of power can turn her into a Jezebel.
“Follow the ways of the Lord and always seek God’s wisdom in your leadership. Don’t let power go to your head as has been with the other presidents we have had in Malawi. The solution is to emulate Mary and Hanna who humbled themselves before God,” said Tengatenga persuasively amid ululations and deafening applauds.
The eloquent Tengatenga added: “The first president Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda likened himself to God. He was called saviour. We said he took government by word just like God created the world by word.”
“First multiparty president, Bakili Muluzi regarded himself as the only person who can be the president of this country as was seen in his third and open term bids. Bingu wa Mutharika on the other hand thought he was above mankind he became Mose wa lero. He forgot that all good things come from God.”
Then Tengatenga turned to President Banda and said: “Will Masiteni emulate these examples? If she does not take care, and follow the routes her predecessors took she will become another Jezebel.”
God’s wrath
Taking his turn, Deputy General Secretary of Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP, Reverend Maurice Munthali said God is the ultimate ruler of the universe and that if a leader departs from God’s ways they risk a wrath from the creator adding that it was God that removed the late president Bingu wa Mutharika from office and gave Malawi a new leader.
“Mutharika put the country on fire and had he not died, the country would have experienced war,” said Munthali.
Munthali asked Malawians to stop asking God why He allowed former president Bingu wa Mutharika to die saying Mutharika’s death was God’s way to bring salvation and recovery to the country.
“Let us stop asking God why He allowed our president to die. To God, everything is perfect and timely. God has saved us from the frying pan by having another president. We were in the wilderness. It is a miracle that we’re here today praying to God. If he (Mutharika) had not died, this country would have experienced war,” said Munthali amid choruses of Amen from the congregants.
Munthali said God saw that Malawi needed salvation and that a new leader must take charge of the affairs adding that Malawi was on fire.
He said:” He said there are no fuel queues, forex is available and that bilateral relations with UK are now normalised. These challenges characterised Mutharika’s administration.
“Mutharika faced God’s wrath for departing from His ways. Nobody killed Mutharika but God took him to save Malawi and her people,” he said.
Munthali then urged President Joyce Banda to continue to be God fearing and always seek God’s wisdom to ensure that she is guided and led by God for the country to forge ahead.
Mutharika died of cardiac arrest on April 5 2012.
Taken heed
In her remarks President Banda quickly told the clergy that she has heard the advice assuring them and all Malawians that she will take heed and asked the church and all faiths to pray for her as she takes Malawi from the economic fetters.
“I have taken heed of all the advice” President said.
Turning to Bishop Tengatenga, President Banda said; “I have heard and will take heed of your useful and meaningful advice.
“I would like to tell Bishop Tengatenga that Masiteni amva [I have taken heed of the advice].”
“ Masiteni amva, masisteni amamva!” [The mother have heard, the mother listens]
President Banda asked the clergy to pray for her that she should recognise God’s voice as He speaks to her. She also asked them to pray for her that God gives her wisdom.
“I need your prayers God’s guidance. Pray for me to rule the country with God’s blessings. God is the ruler of all rulers, king of kings and only Him can help me to take Malawi to the Promised Land. Pray for our country, pray for our people,” said President Banda.
Some of officiating clergy present at the Independence celebrations prayers’ function included;, Dr.Lazarus Chakwera, president of Malawi Council of Churches, the Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye of Blantyre Archdiocese, Bishop Thomas Msusa of Zomba Diocese, Reverend Vasco Kachipapa, moderator of Nkhoma CCAP Synod, Pastor Fraxon Kuyama, president of Seventh Day Adventist Malawi, , Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad, chairperson of Muslim Association of Malawi.
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