Malawi Catholic governance body challenged to be voice for the voiceless: As Chiphwanya leaves CCJP

The Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Henry Saindi has challenged National and Diocesan Secretaries for Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) to continue playing an advocacy and governance role especially to the voiceless including the unborn child, the marginalized and the oppressed.

Fr. Saindi was speaking when he opened a day-long meeting for the CCJP Secretaries at Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

The aim of the meeting was to review CCJP projects and programmes hence planning for the future.

The meeting also took time to bid farewell tothe National CCJP Secretary, Martin Chiphwanya who is leaving CCJP for further studies abroad.

“Through our unity of purpose, team work and coordination as CCJP Family we have achieved a lot. Let me therefore remind each one of you that we will certainly remain great as CCJP Family if we are united and work as a team. “United we stand, together we fall,” said Fr. Saindi.

He said while taking pride in the successes achieved so far, there is a need, with humility to acknowledge that in certain areas we have not done well.

“We faced and we continue to face a number of challenges. We are challenged to explore new ways of doing our work. We cannot continue operating business as usual. There is some mess which people expect us to clean up,”he said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Saindi has urged CCJP Secretaries to plan for the next General Elections slated for 2019.

He said CCJP contribution will only be significant in the manner it prepares and plan for this important national event.

“Plan how you will coordinate your election activities as CCJP. Plan on how you will mobilize resources for this important exercise. Revive CCJP grassroots structures for effective and efficient sensitization programmes for the rural masses. And perhaps, consider working as a consortium and approach prospective partners,” said Fr. Saindi.

On Chiphwanya, Fr. Saindi commended him for the major strides and achievements CCJP has made when he was at the helm of CCJP.

“Martin, you had passion for your job and CCJP will greatly miss you. Please, continue being the voice for voiceless wherever you may be. On behalf of ECM, I wish you all the best as you take up the new challenge back in the classroom as a student! Best wishes! We have no doubt that you will succeed!” he said.

For his part, Chiphwanya who replaced Chris Chisoni in 2015 said: “the studies will help build my capacity and enhance my understanding of issues to enable me undertake effective advocacy. Certainly, the skills gained will help the Church and the nation greatly”.

CCJP is an advocacy and governance arm of ECM which has structures in all the eight dioceses of the Catholic Church in Malawi.

 

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!