Nankhumwa asks faith leaders to intervene through facilitation of dialogue
The Church in Malawi must take a leading role in inspiring Malawians to live in peace and unity, Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Minister, Kondwani Nankhumwa has said.
Nankhumwa said according to the gospels, one evening Christ Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat, when a furious storm came up, with the waves breaking over the boat, and drowned so that it was nearly swamped.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion, but the disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
“Jesus is no longer with us on this earth as he sits as his Father’s throne in heaven. But in Church leaders, we have our latter day Jesus who must always ‘calm the storm’ whenever Malawians have differed.
“We need a lasting solution to the post-election demonstrations and violence that we have witnessed almost every week since Malawians cast their votes on May 21. The Church needs to calm this storm,” said Nankhumwa.
He was speaking at ordination to priesthood of Yohane Nzondola and golden jubilee in priesthood celebrations of Father Joseph Chakonza and Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Fathers Henry Biriwita, Felix Byzakulimi, Nazario Mateyu, Francis Mpatsa and Patrick Mkula of Chikwawa Diocese of Catholic Church on Saturday, July 20, 2019.
Nankhumwa represented President Arthur Peter Mutharika at the ceremony held at Chikwawa Cathedral and Bishop of Chikwawa Diocese Peter Musikuwa presided over the event.
He said the ongoing violent demonstrations have a noticeably negative impact on the country’s economy and that peace and stability were a prerequisite for rapid social and economic development.
“On behalf of the President, I wish to humbly implore upon religious leaders in the country to intervene through the facilitation of dialogue to calm the prevailing situation,” pleaded Nankhumwa.
Nankhumwa congratulated all the priests who celebrated 50 and 25 years of priesthood and the new Priest Father Chakonza, who will be stationed at Chikwawa Cathedral.
“I have brought a message of congratulations from His Excellency President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for your individual achievements. He wishes you God’s blessings and guidance in your future endeavours,” said Nankhumwa, who also serves as governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for Southern Region.
Bishop Musikuwa echoed Nankhumwa’s call for peace and unity among Malawians, saying conflict is retrogressive to social and economic stability of this country.
He pledged the Catholic Church would continue to preach peace.
Nankhumwa donated six refrigerators to the priests and the Bishop on behalf of President Mutharika.
Other high-profile people who attended the event included Chief Justice RTD Anastansia Msosa, Vicar General for Chikwawa Diocese Cosmas Chasukwa, Chikwawa MPs Gladys Ganda and Owen Chomanika and Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Chairperson, Father Felix Chingota.
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Which Church? Cavalry Family Church and Christ Citadel Church?
No dialogue…………. No dialogue…………… we want a re run full stop!
Anthu akuba mwayamba kufuna yesu?
Anthu akuba Wayamba kufuna yesu?
Kodi Saulosi anasiya kupita ku miyambo yotereyi?
The religious leaders must be advised only to pump some sense into the heads of oChakwera and the Mias (the wife has an upper hand).
Ignore Judas (Chilima): not worth the attention considering his pathetic results, and only from the North, the original home for his wife; sympathy votes for her.
Elections were done, verified and dusted: and it was only after that MCP started singing the lyrics of their “Atiberanso” melody. Out of tune, mokweza ndi mwausaveji!
Until now, I didn’t realize how widespread the syndrome of “mutu wouma” was in that Party!
No, they must pump sense in the Tippex maliseche president
The church is for the people mainly the poor not the rich and evil hearted like politician because making friends with politicians subvert the gospel of Jesus of Nazareth. The voice of the people is the voice of God c.f gaudium et spes. The social teaching of the church encourages honesty and accountability and thus the church should not take a leading role in this when it had already wrote the pastoral letter chastizing the Big Mani Wamkulu politics that is leaving the people into deep poverty. Centre for social concern a Jesuit watch dog pointed out that wealth not… Read more »
Kamuwudze malische zimenezo
This sounds like a serial thief who after stealing from you a precious material then comes back to you and in fact blaming you for not wanting to forgiving him and move on.
Welcome to the conman’s world.
God hates corruption, stealing, nepotism, tribalism; all qualities of DPP. So, don’t waste time unless you return all that was stolen, including votes.
Mr Namkhumwa you are a product of your own society. DPP did not want to sign peace agreement that was arranged by PAC. Today you want the same people to help you. That is what we call hypocrisy of the highest order. You have taken Malawians for granted for too long. DPP peddled corruption nepotism and tribalism, this is why despite all these protests Jane Ansah don’t want to resign. And Peter Mutharika being a poor leader he looks from the strands hoping that Mbona will smile on him and ask the aggrieved to go home. Apa ndi pang’ono chabe,… Read more »