MALAWI: Use Social Media to Preach Hope
ECM National Communications Coordinator Fr. Godino Phokoso
Watipaso Mzungu
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) which is an umbrella body of Catholic bishops in Malawi, has asked Christians to seriously consider social media as a tool for spreading messages of hope other than a platform for advancing fake news.
ECM National Communications Coordinator Fr. Godino Phokoso observed that Christians have not made good use of the social media platforms to preach hope among people as the government and its stakeholders continue to fight the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Fr. Phokoso made the remarks during a spiritual reflection for the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), which took place at Luntha Television Chapel in Lilongwe on Sunday.
The spiritual reflection, which attracted participants from all the Catholic Dioceses in Malawi, was part of the activities CWO has organized as part of the celebration of the forthcoming 2020 World Mission Sunday, which falls annually in the month of October.
“The Catholic Church in Malawi seriously believes that even amidst strict measures for containing Covid-19 which include social distancing, Christians must continue to evangelize. In a situation like this, the social media should be handy to enable us spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thereby inspiring hope among believers that we will soon overcome the pandemic,” said Phokoso.
He said Christians need to consider themselves as critical partners of the government in responding to natural calamities such as the current public health crisis emergencies, floods and climate change.
On her part, CWO Executive member Lucy Vokhiwa said the organization is mobilizing resources for donation to various groups of people to enable them combat the disease.
“We shall use every resource available at our disposal to help vulnerable groups respond to Covid-19. We wish to appeal to Christians and people of goodwill to support our cause,” said Vokhiwa.
Recently, Phokoso expressed fear that the pandemic could potentially threaten the future of the Church in the long run.
