Mutharika attacks ‘secularist agenda’: Pictorial for Catholic Amecea conference in Malawi
Malawi President Peter Mutharika says Africa is facing “secularist agenda” and has called on influential Catholic Church to pray against it.
Mutharika was speaking during the opening of the Association of Members Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) plenary session at the Civo stadium in Lilongwe.
“Africa is very much affected by some secularist agenda coming from other parts of the world, with so many other forces of evil,” noted Mutharika.
He said the African continent is not isolated with the secularist agenda with the digital revolution and globalization.
“As such we are also experiencing the forces that are negatively affecting the cultures of the people all over the world,” he said.
“We Africans are God fearing people. As such, we ought to unswervingly commit ourselves to fighting secularism and promote those values that guide our faith community,” urged President Mutharika.
He added: “I am also convinced that true conversion and witnessing to Christian faith is the only way that Christians can help Governments to combat the harmful and prevailing negative currents in the region such as wars, social conflicts and corruption.
“Both Government and faith communities ought to seek ways of eradicating the evils that are affecting the society, especially young people, the elderly, children, family life, political life as well as economic life.”
Mutharika assured that Malawi government shall continue to promote freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence of all faith communities in the country.
“ Let us continue to work together for the good of the people that God has entrusted to us as leaders,” he said.
Mutharika pointed out that the regional body of episcopal conferences is crucial to the church just as it is to the governments.
The opening mass of the 18th AMECEA plenary conference was led by His Eminence John Cardinal Njue and graced among others church-going State Vice President Saulosi Chilima, leader of opposition and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Rev.Dr Lazarous Chakwera, former MCP President John Tembo and cabinet ministers.
The plenary has brought together 300 delegates who include Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and the laity from the region, which comprises Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Zambia.
During the plenary delegates will discuss various topics under the theme: “New Evangelization through True Conversion and Witnessing to Christian Faith.”
Nyasa Times chief photo journalist Jeromy Kadewere was in attendance at Civo Stadium. Here is a Pictoral Focus of the function.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :