MALAWI: Government guarantees Freedom of Religion in the Country

Government delegation who attended the celebrations

The
government of Malawi will continue to promote freedom of religion and peaceful
coexistence of all faith communities in the country.
Speaking
during the mass marking the official opening ceremony of the Association of
Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) 18th plenary assembly
at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, President Mutharika called upon the church to hold
hands with government to unswervingly commit themselves in fighting secularism
and promote values that guide the faith community.
The
President Mutharika also commended the Catholic Church for its roles it plays
in Malawi and the Eastern Part of Africa.
“Allow
me to express my gratitude to the Catholic Church here in Malawi and in the
region for its continued support towards the development of the country in
areas of as health and education. I look forward to continued collaboration
aimed at bettering the lives of our people,” said Mutharika.
He
therefore said the regional body of Episcopal conferences is not only crucial
to the church but also to the governments where the member state comes from.
“I
am convinced that that selection of the theme could not have come at any other
time than this, when Africa is very much affected by some secularist agenda
coming from other parts of the world, with so many other forces of evil,” he
said adding that “With the digital revolution and globalisation, Africa is not
an isolated continent. As such we are also experiencing the forces that are
negatively affecting the cultures of the people all over the world,” he
said.
In
his remarks, the Chairman of AMECEA Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye who is also
Archbishop for Lilongwe Archdiocese, said the country stands to benefit a lot
from AMECEA plenary conference as it is the time when Christians are drawn
closer to greater commitment towards God.
“Malawi
is a God fearing nation and such gatherings give us time for reflections and
prayers. Our discussions will mainly revolve around Evangelisation, Witness and
Conversion which will benefit the people of Malawi,” he said.
The
Archbishop commended the government for its continued support towards the
church which signifies for a successful AMECEA plenary.
During
his homily, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, Patron of AMECEA who presided over
the opening Mass, asked the Catholic Faithful in the country and the AMECEA
Region to prioritize Prayers in their families saying, that was the only way
that can bring peace and unity in Africa.
“As
Christians, let us value prayer and the sacrament of Eucharist because if we
put prayer at the centre of everything, nothing will go wrong in our
lives,” he said.
During
the mass, Archbishop Ziyaye received a Pallium from Rome which symbolises the
Authority given to him as the Metropolitan of Lilongwe and the Unity with the
successor of Peter.
The
theme for this year’s 18th plenary session which is being hosted by Malawi, is
“New Evangelisation through True conversion and witnessing to Christian
Faith,”
Source: AMECEA
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