MALAWI: We cannot and shall not support or endorse any particular politician or political party, says Catholic Bishops

Catholic Bishops in Malawi have issued a strong statement saying that they will not endorse any particular politician or political party in the forthcoming Country’s General Elections which are scheduled for 21^st, May, 2019.

While echoing the sentiments of the Holy Father Pope Francis when he said that “A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself, so that those who govern can govern” (Pope Francis, Homily during morning Mass on 16^th, September, 2013), the Malawian Bishops encouraged Catholics to take an active role in politics including seeking political positions at all levels of the national governance structure.

In the statement which was issued on Friday 29^th, June, 2918, following their second Annual Plenary Meeting at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe from 25^th to 29^th June, the Bishops also reminded priests, religious men and women, catechists as well as heads of Catholic institutions to also refrain from making utterances or doing things that can justifiably be perceived as advancing partisan politics.

“We call upon all Malawians to pray for peaceful elections and cooperate with God in achieving this by desisting from utterances, actions or inactions which can cause violence,” highlighted the statement which was also sent to AMECEA Online News. The Bishops observed that Malawi has been blessed with peace since its inception as a State and therefore they reminded citizens of their duty before God and the Nation to ensure peaceful coexistence at all times but especially during the preparations for the forthcoming elections.

They urged all eligible Malawians to register and vote in the forthcoming elections saying that voting in such elections is not only a right but also an obligation of every eligible Malawian.

Finally, they called upon the people charged with the responsibility of managing the said elections to ensure that the entire electoral process is properly managed for free, fair and credible elections to prevail.

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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News