MALAWI: Catholics urged to participate in Politics
 |
| Fr. Henry Chinkanda |
The
Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi
(ECM) has challenged elites Catholics across the country to come fourth and
participate in the Social and Political domains on this country.
The
Officer responsible, Fr Henry Chinkanda said this in an interview with
ECM’s Communications Department saying that the call is in line with the Vatican II
document which encourages the elite to participate in the
affairs of all sectors of life with Christian values.
Officer responsible, Fr Henry Chinkanda said this in an interview with
ECM’s Communications Department saying that the call is in line with the Vatican II
document which encourages the elite to participate in the
affairs of all sectors of life with Christian values.
He
said the percentage of Catholics in the country does not defeat the
representation in the August House hence the need for more Catholic
representation in Parliament.
said the percentage of Catholics in the country does not defeat the
representation in the August House hence the need for more Catholic
representation in Parliament.
“By
percentage, the Catholic representation in Parliament is slight low as compared
to the population of Catholic faithful in the country. This entails that many
Catholics are not willing to participate in politics,” said Fr. Chinkanda.
percentage, the Catholic representation in Parliament is slight low as compared
to the population of Catholic faithful in the country. This entails that many
Catholics are not willing to participate in politics,” said Fr. Chinkanda.
According
to Fr. Chinkanda, research has shown that many people including the elite
Catholic do not understand what Politics is all about as many associate it as a
dirty game.
to Fr. Chinkanda, research has shown that many people including the elite
Catholic do not understand what Politics is all about as many associate it as a
dirty game.
He
was however quick to mention that Politics is not a dirty game rather an art of
running the society or a country.
was however quick to mention that Politics is not a dirty game rather an art of
running the society or a country.
“In
actual fact, Politics starts even in a house because a family can have its own
policies that members of that particular house follow. It is a similar scenario
here that Politics as an art of running a society or a country can be regards
as good thing altogether, “ he said.
actual fact, Politics starts even in a house because a family can have its own
policies that members of that particular house follow. It is a similar scenario
here that Politics as an art of running a society or a country can be regards
as good thing altogether, “ he said.
He
challenged those interested to join Politics to first of all understand what it
means to be a Political leader because the church is there to encourage a
Political arena which is guided by the values of Church teachings.
challenged those interested to join Politics to first of all understand what it
means to be a Political leader because the church is there to encourage a
Political arena which is guided by the values of Church teachings.
“It
depends on how one would understand Politics but what we are saying here is
that we want our elites interested to join Politics to work according to the
social teachings of the Church whenever they want to make decisions. For
instance, if we can have more representation of Catholics in the Malawi Parliament,
I don’t think, there could be any one supporting the issue of same sex marriage
because our social teachings does not accept that,” said Fr. Chinkanda
depends on how one would understand Politics but what we are saying here is
that we want our elites interested to join Politics to work according to the
social teachings of the Church whenever they want to make decisions. For
instance, if we can have more representation of Catholics in the Malawi Parliament,
I don’t think, there could be any one supporting the issue of same sex marriage
because our social teachings does not accept that,” said Fr. Chinkanda
Fr.
Chinkanda said the Church is not encouraging its faithful interested to join
Politics to go for a specific party rather gives freedom to every individual to
go for any party where he feels to be comfortable.
Chinkanda said the Church is not encouraging its faithful interested to join
Politics to go for a specific party rather gives freedom to every individual to
go for any party where he feels to be comfortable.
According
to Fr. Chinkanda, the Church is only looking for Politics with big ‘P’ which
about running the affairs of a country and not politics with small ‘p’ which is
party politics.
to Fr. Chinkanda, the Church is only looking for Politics with big ‘P’ which
about running the affairs of a country and not politics with small ‘p’ which is
party politics.
“You
may be interested to know that to be a Politician or at a decision making
position is a vocation to serve God’s people just like he (God) chose leaders
like King Solomon and David for his people,” he said.
may be interested to know that to be a Politician or at a decision making
position is a vocation to serve God’s people just like he (God) chose leaders
like King Solomon and David for his people,” he said.
He
also said the Church is not only encouraging Parliamentary aspirants but even
those that are interested to contest as Ward Counselors or the Presidency since
all are a position that represents the welfare of a society.
also said the Church is not only encouraging Parliamentary aspirants but even
those that are interested to contest as Ward Counselors or the Presidency since
all are a position that represents the welfare of a society.
Asked
if this is an on-going program or it’s there just because elections are coming
closer in this country, Fr. Chinkanda was quick to mention that this program
will be there even after the elections.
if this is an on-going program or it’s there just because elections are coming
closer in this country, Fr. Chinkanda was quick to mention that this program
will be there even after the elections.
He
said, “This is a new office, established by our Bishops last year and the
activities in there started way back just that people associated them with CCJP
activities .We are not ending here but it’s an ongoing program”.
said, “This is a new office, established by our Bishops last year and the
activities in there started way back just that people associated them with CCJP
activities .We are not ending here but it’s an ongoing program”.
Apart
from encouraging the elite to take part in Politics, the program is also
calling up on women in the Church to take a leading role by participating as
well.
from encouraging the elite to take part in Politics, the program is also
calling up on women in the Church to take a leading role by participating as
well.
Meanwhile,
ECM has been to all the eight Catholic dioceses in the country with
the sensitization messages to its elites in which according to Fr. Chinkanda, the
response so far is positive.
ECM has been to all the eight Catholic dioceses in the country with
the sensitization messages to its elites in which according to Fr. Chinkanda, the
response so far is positive.
Currently,
only 30 Parliamentarians out of 193 are Catholics in the August House.
only 30 Parliamentarians out of 193 are Catholics in the August House.
Source: Prince
Henderson, Research & Communications Officer-ECM
Henderson, Research & Communications Officer-ECM
