MALAWI: ECM urges the Youth to live by Faith
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi in collaboration with the National Catholic Youth Council of Malawi on Saturday, 4 August 2018, celebrated the National Catholic Youth Day at Don Bosco Youth Centre in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe under the theme “Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment.”
This theme is in reference to the World Youth Day, which gathers the youth from different countries across the globe.
Speaking during the celebrations that gathered the Catholic Youths in Malawi for the first time, the Bishop Chairman for Pastoral Commission who is also the ordinary for the Diocese of Chikwawa, Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa encouraged the Youth to live their faith and refrain from violence that often emerges due during election period in Malawi due to partisan politics.
“As we are approach the Tripartite elections in May next year, we urge the youth in Malawi to make an effort and live their faith because this will help them to avoid violence.”
Bishop Peter Musikuwa added that the Youth should concentrate on issues that will develop the country rather than violence. “It is only through prayer and meditation that we can understand the purpose of God. Therefore, we urge the youth to work hard in school and choose the right vocation for a better future,” he said.
Bishop Musikuwa also informed the youth that the Catholic Church in Malawi is implementing different projects for their empowerment, self-reliance as well as their spiritual and moral growth. He cited the Catholic schools and technical colleges as some of the initiatives aimed at empowering the youth to become good citizens of the country.
“We understand that the parents have a role to play by living a good example to their children, but we also ask them to release the youth during these gatherings, which will help the church to fulfil its mission.
He also urged the youth to dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and meditation, which is crucial for discernment of God’s calling to Priesthood, Religious Life and Marriage.
The ECM National Youth Chaplain, Father Valeriano Mtseka explained that the celebration also aimed at appreciating what the Catholic Youths in Malawi go through.
“We know that the youth in the country encounter different challenges,” he said as he registered a concern that in Malawi the youth comprise the majority in society and that Youth Day was one of the efforts that the Catholic Church has organized to respond to the cry of the youths who that they are usually left behind.
One of the youth representatives from Archdiocese of Lilongwe; Alinafe Chiotcha described the celebration as a way forward by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi to addressing issues of development to the youth.
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By Sidonia Dzikolidaya
