MALAWI: Catholic Bishops Condemn Abortion Bill
By Prince Henderson-ECM Communications Officer
Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese has condemned the Termination of Pregnancy Bill being advocated and campaigned by different quarters of the society in Malawi saying the Catholic Church is not in support of the proposed legislation.
Archbishop Msusa was speaking in Karonga on the occasion of the consecration and inauguration of St. Joseph the worker Cathedral which was officially consecrated by His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Prefect for the Congregation of the Evangelisation of people at the Holy See.
He said the Patron of the Cathedral, St Joseph the Worker bravely accepted the responsibility to take care of, to defend and protect the baby Jesus from all harm hence this should serve as a reminder on the stand of the Catholic Church on abortion.
He quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which says, “human life is sacred because from its beginning until end, no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being,” (No. 2258) he added that the same Catechism, teaches that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception and from the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having rights of a person.” (No. 2270) He therefore challenged Catholic faithful to stand against those that are advocating for the abortion bill.
Earlier Cardinal Filoni congratulated Bishop Martin Mtumbuka and the faithful of Karonga diocese for successfully coming up with a Cathedral.
He said he will invite Pope Francis on behalf of the people of Malawi that he should visit this country.
I will tell the Pope to go to Africa and Malawi in particular if he wants to see how much people love him,” he said.
who is the Patron Saint of the Cathedral
Vice President Saulosi Chilima commended the Catholic Church in Malawi for complementing government’s efforts in supporting its citizenry. He also commended politicians who despite their political differences united at this function saying it is through such unity that the country can develop.
Present at the function among others were former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, Leader of Opposition, Lazarous Chakwera, Finance Minister, Goodall Gondwe and Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, Richard Msowoya.
Vice President Saulosi Chilima represented President Arthur Peter Mutharika at the consecration ceremony.
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