MALAWI: Catholic Women Organization 37th AGM underway in Karonga
Catholic Women from all the eight Dioceses in Malawi are meeting
in Karonga for their 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) where among
others, they will tackle issues that affect their daily undertakings.
in Karonga for their 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) where among
others, they will tackle issues that affect their daily undertakings.
The AGM was officially opened with the Holy mass on Thursday at
Miracle, Chaminade in Karonga where Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese
and Vice Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi presided over as the
main celebrant along with His Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese and
Chairman for the Pastoral Commission where CWO falls under.
Miracle, Chaminade in Karonga where Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese
and Vice Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi presided over as the
main celebrant along with His Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese and
Chairman for the Pastoral Commission where CWO falls under.
Other notable faces that attended the Eucharistic celebrations
included wife to the State Vice President, Madam Mary Chilima who is also a
member of CWO from Lilongwe Archdiocese.
included wife to the State Vice President, Madam Mary Chilima who is also a
member of CWO from Lilongwe Archdiocese.
In his homily, Bishop Mtumbuka in line with this year’s theme “Faithfulness
in Marriage” Challenged Catholic women to be true Catholic faithful by
among others follow the Catholic Social teachings and honouring the Sacrament
of Marriage.
in Marriage” Challenged Catholic women to be true Catholic faithful by
among others follow the Catholic Social teachings and honouring the Sacrament
of Marriage.
He said, “it’s high time the Catholic women embraced the spirit of
love, faithfulness and forgiveness within their families and elsewhere.”
love, faithfulness and forgiveness within their families and elsewhere.”
According to Bishop Mtumbuka, there are many Civil Society Organizations
and other
and other
individuals advocating for contravening family related issues like
the same sex unions hence Catholic women should ignore such practices rather
should stick to their Catholic Social teachings which do not tolerate that.
“The Catholic Church recognizes family as a Marriage sacrament
hence no one can facilitate divorce, even the Pope himself cannot. However,
despite all the challenges that we face in family we need not to disown our
families. We must realize that we can’t do everything on our own but we through
Jesus Christ so that we bear fruitful fruits,” he said.
hence no one can facilitate divorce, even the Pope himself cannot. However,
despite all the challenges that we face in family we need not to disown our
families. We must realize that we can’t do everything on our own but we through
Jesus Christ so that we bear fruitful fruits,” he said.
The national chairlady for CWO, Bernadette Chiwaya said during
their five days meeting which ends on Sunday 20 December 2015, delegates will
discuss the marriage, same sex unions, transgender and the Church’s stand; and
also receive reports from all the dioceses.
their five days meeting which ends on Sunday 20 December 2015, delegates will
discuss the marriage, same sex unions, transgender and the Church’s stand; and
also receive reports from all the dioceses.
Taking her turn, Madam Mary Chilima who at the function was the
Guest of Honor said Catholic women should realize that there are always good
things and challenges in marriage life but the most important aspect is
perseverance in times of challenges.
Guest of Honor said Catholic women should realize that there are always good
things and challenges in marriage life but the most important aspect is
perseverance in times of challenges.
She said that as Catholic women, they should strive to care for
their families by doing small scale businesses that eventually will promote
development in their families and the nation at large. She also urged all
Catholic women to be united and fight gender based violence, child abuse and
any form of discrimination toward women and children in the country.
their families by doing small scale businesses that eventually will promote
development in their families and the nation at large. She also urged all
Catholic women to be united and fight gender based violence, child abuse and
any form of discrimination toward women and children in the country.
CWO Annual General Meetings are on rotational basis and in 2015
the meeting was held in Mzuzu diocese whereas Chikwawa diocese will host it
next year.
the meeting was held in Mzuzu diocese whereas Chikwawa diocese will host it
next year.
By Prince Henderson, ECM
Communications Officer
Communications Officer
