MALAWI: Bishop Martin Mtumbuka Urges Children to be Instruments of Peace
The Bishop of Karonga Diocese, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka, has urged children in the Diocese to be instruments of peace in their homes, schools and communities by emulating St. Francis of Assisi’s desire for peace.
The Bishop made this call at the Diocesan Conference for Children held at St Mary’s Girls Secondary School in Karonga, which took place from 24 August to 27 August 2018 under the theme Children as Instruments of Peace.
Opened with Eucharistic celebration presided by the Vicar General, Very Rev. Denis Chitete, and closing by the Bishop, the Conference was arranged to give the children in the diocese the chance to tell him what is the Church is doing well in ministering to them, and for the bishop to listen to the children’s positive and negative experiences in their homes, schools as well as local communities.
Bishop Mtumbuka stressed that children needed to understand the importance of peace and, in their humble way, take part in working for peace among themselves, in their homes, schools and churches. With effect from 26th of August 2018, Bishop Mtumbuka directed that all children in the Diocese recite or sing the prayer of peace by St Francis of Assisi during all their liturgical celebrations and catechism lessons.
Children from the Diocese attended the Conference, aged between 9 to 13 years, from 249 of the 260 prayer centres of the Diocese attended the Conference, out of which 128 were girls and 121 were boys, accompanied by 30 youth instructors.
The children pointed out pastoral and developmental issues like the works of the diocesan radio, Tumtufye FM, which they said enriches their spiritual life through various programs that target them. The children also appreciated the Sunday school lessons and also appreciated the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) for its effort to bring peace in their villages.
On challenges, the children pointed out domestic violence as common in families, and parents forcing them to sleep outside the house when they misbehave, on which the Bishop noted that there is great need to promote child protection in the Diocese.
Also presented at the Conference were members of staff from the Pastoral Commission, Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) and Caritas Commission so that they too listen to the children and make use of the information gathered in planning relevant pastoral interventions and programs for the Diocese.
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By: Phillip Chisi
