MALAWI: Government Bows Down as Religious Leaders Protest Against Constraining Covid-19 Guidelines
ECM Chairman Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The government of Malawi has allowed public gatherings to increase from 1o to 100 congregants after Catholic Bishops and other religious leaders expressed concern with an unexpected release of new guidelines which many perceived as too constraining and tantamount to total ban of religious gatherings.
“The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) wishes to express its displeasure at the manner the new Guidelines have been issued. They have taken us by surprise. We were neither informed nor consulted despite the fact that we have been in the forefront lobbying for Covid-19 compliant behavior,” Bishops lamented in their collective statement dated Sunday, August 9.
The Catholic bishops protested further wondering why they were not consulted saying, “The previous guidelines were largely ignored in the wider society but in the churches, we applied them diligently and we were teaching all Christians the importance of complying.”
According to the ECM Chairman Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa in an interview with AMECEA online, the government usually involves religious leaders on some matters for decision making.
“Normally the government involves us to talk and make decision but this time round it has taken us by surprise,” Archbishop Msusa disclosed adding that, “We know this Covid-19 is a serious issue but we need to work together against this pandemic and find way forward.”
He added expressing his displeasure, “We are surprised that during political rallies before the presidential election, activities were going on normally in the country like there was no virus, but now there is even no mechanism yet on how to combat the disease on the ground and the new guidelines have been gazetted.”
Amidst the surprise gazette notice that the “Minister of Heath has promulgated ban on public gatherings including Religious gatherings effective 8th August 2020 until further notice,” the bishops stated their willingness to abide by the government’s request saying, “Since we are law-abiding, we the Catholic Bishops instruct all the Clergy, the Religious and the Laity to suspend forthwith all public Church gatherings until further notice. In the meantime, we shall engage the Government to see our true role in preventing the further spread of COVID-19.”
According to the new directives by the government, “public gatherings shall mean an assembly of more than ten persons whether wholly or partially in open air or in a building.”
In this case, the bishops advise that “Catholic media houses should broadcast the Eucharist celebration which Christians will follow at designated times of the day.”
In the statement addressed to the clergy, the Religious and the laity, the Church leaders urged the people of God to “continue to strictly adhere to the Health and Pastoral Guidelines earlier issued by the conference and ministry of Health i.e. washing hands with soap regularly and thoroughly, avoiding physical greeting and content observing social distance and using face masks.”
On their part, the evangelical churches also asked government to revisit the updated Covid-19 measures, adding that religious gatherings must be treated as essential services in the country.
In responses to the reactions, the Minister of Health Hon. Khumbize Chaponda has announced reversing of the guidelines on public gatherings, allowing a maximum of 100 people adding, “The Tonse Alliance government is a listening government” hence the decision to review the guidelines after consultation with faith groups and other stakeholders.
As at Thursday, August 13, Malawi had recorded 4,912 cases of COVID-19 including 2,550 recoveries and 153 deaths.
