MALAWI: Vatican Secretary for Relations Visits Malawi as President Mutharika Commends Roman Catholic Church
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| (Sitting From Left) Most Rev. Paul Richard Gallagher, President Peter Mutharika and Most Rev. Thomas Msusa (Standing) Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, Catholic Bishops from Malawi and ECM Secretary General |
The Secretary for Relations
with States at the Holy See, Most Rev. Paul Richard Gallagher has been on a
three-day official visit to Malawi where among others he met with President
Peter Mutharika at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre. President Mutharika in his
speech commended the Roman Catholic Church for various development projects
being initiated by the Church in the Country.
with States at the Holy See, Most Rev. Paul Richard Gallagher has been on a
three-day official visit to Malawi where among others he met with President
Peter Mutharika at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre. President Mutharika in his
speech commended the Roman Catholic Church for various development projects
being initiated by the Church in the Country.
Mutharika also extended his
gratitude to Pope Francis for the help rendered to the country through the
Church’s humanitarian and emergency relief aid during the floods that affected
15 districts in January 2015.
gratitude to Pope Francis for the help rendered to the country through the
Church’s humanitarian and emergency relief aid during the floods that affected
15 districts in January 2015.
The President commended the
gesture saying government needed such complimentary efforts to reach out to the
people in good time. According to Mutharika, the Malawi government realizes the
important role the Roman Catholic Church plays in the socio economic
development of the country.
gesture saying government needed such complimentary efforts to reach out to the
people in good time. According to Mutharika, the Malawi government realizes the
important role the Roman Catholic Church plays in the socio economic
development of the country.
“The Catholic Church has a
long history of complementing democracy and meeting the social needs of the
people by providing affordable education and health services,” he said.
long history of complementing democracy and meeting the social needs of the
people by providing affordable education and health services,” he said.
He further acknowledged the
role the Church plays in the good governance of the country, saying it
complements the common mission that the Church and state have of supporting the
people.
role the Church plays in the good governance of the country, saying it
complements the common mission that the Church and state have of supporting the
people.
“We are indeed proud that
one of the pillars of our democracy is freedom of religion and worship and for 49
years the Holy See has maintained diplomatic relations and has provided
government advice,” said Mutharika.
one of the pillars of our democracy is freedom of religion and worship and for 49
years the Holy See has maintained diplomatic relations and has provided
government advice,” said Mutharika.
In his remarks, Archbishop
Gallagher said most countries, including Malawi, are facing many challenges and
the Holy See will continue to offer its support to the country.
Gallagher said most countries, including Malawi, are facing many challenges and
the Holy See will continue to offer its support to the country.
“The disasters, which most
countries are going through, are worrisome and the Catholic Church will
continue to work with the country for the good of the people,” he said.
countries are going through, are worrisome and the Catholic Church will
continue to work with the country for the good of the people,” he said.
By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer
