Mutharika advises Malawi churches to be apolitical: ‘Together facing the future’
President Peter Mutharika has advised churches in the country to desist from politics and concentrate on serving people of God if the country is to attain meaningful development.
Mutharika made the appeal on Sunday in Blantyre when he attended big Sunday prayers organized by the Blantyre Baptist Churches Association held under the theme: ‘Together facing the future.’
The Malawi leader who led the prayer service in reading the scripture from Philippians 3 verses 12-14, said as a leader who respects freedom of worship, he serves people of different religious backgrounds, noting the need for the clergy to shepherd the ‘flock’ to the right path that would please God.
“All churches are equal before God the Almighty and all are important towards the development of this country. As such, I urge you to refrain from politics or any other activities that may lead to the destruction of the country’s development.
“Above everything, all we need is a positive mindset, self-belief and togetherness to ensure that we transform the country to a prosperous nation with its people having the most basic facilities like good roads, electricity and skilled youths through the already instituted community technical colleges,” Mutharika said.
Speaking earlier, main organizing committee chairperson for the prayers, Reverend Lazarus Nkhoma said the aim of the prayers was to seek God’s intervention for peace in the country, good rains in this year’s agricultural season as well as smooth running of the electoral process for next year’s elections.
Nkhoma said the Baptist Convention of Malawi felt honoured to have President Mutharika and the First Lady as special guests to the big Sunday prayers, saying it was a demonstration of commitment towards consolidating freedom of worship in the country.
He, therefore, assured the country’s leadership that as a church, the Baptist Convention would foster peace in the course of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to people of God.
“Plans are also underway to go into developmental activities that will benefit the underprivileged through provision of scholarships regardless of one’s religious affiliation to effectively complement government’s efforts to ensure right of education to all,” Nkhoma added.
Established in 1959 by American Missionaries at Ndalama Village at Thondwe in Zomba, Baptist Churches Association currently has 2,000 churches with 500,000 members countrywide.
Bwana mukunena zoona. Churches, mafumu etc should apolitical so lead by example by condemning paramount Chiefs Lundu and Ngolongoliwa messages to their respective subjects……they seem to entered the political realm and therefore should be condemned with the harshest words possible from the head of state himself.
Central, You are stupid. You should have manners. This is your president , my president and our President whether you like it or not. I mean ufune, usafune . Why are you full of hate. Learn to respect the President just as you would expect us to respect your father. President wapita kukapephera wakulakwila chani?
The fact that you have responded it means the message is home. However, mine was not meant to be an insult as interpreted by yourself but informing him because he was not around when churches particularly the Catholics criticised Kamuzu on mismanagement and dictactorial tendencies!! Tsamba truth remains, your APM is in Malawi because churches particularly the Catholics played a pivotal role!! Mind you, he claims he went outside Malawi on political reasons!! So he should always remember that churches played a key role for him to come back, and beyond all that its him who has benefited more than… Read more »
Mwati kumeneku maliseche sanabeko?
Osangokhala chete a bwana bwanji? Do you know that tribal groups like Mulakho wa Lhomwe whose chair talked a great deal of nonsense last week serves people who belong to different political parties too? Why do you always talk what you don’t walk and vice versa! Inunso nde kayatu!! Mr President kodi zokalemba ma votes a fake ku Mozambique mwakuti simudziwa kuti is one good examples of the things that can destroy this nation’s development quickly! So far, as a state president, what is your comment on MEC’s conduct? A bwana moti tiziti Kamuzu anaaaaaaaaali oyipa kapena anaona kuti inuyo… Read more »
Mr. President, let me remind you that it was because the Catholic Church in 1992 hot involved in politics and confronted government on it’s maladministration, that we have multiparty politics today. As a result of the Catholic Church getting involved in politics you, Mr. President, were able to return home from your exile MN Please ask Dr. Bakili Muluzi about the positive role that, not only the Catholic, but all religious institutions play in keeping politicians excesses in check. The moment you start to attack and silence religious voice, that’s your sure downfall. Learn from your late brother. He did… Read more »