MALAWI: ECM encourages children to use radio, TV to deepen their Catholic faith

Demetria Banda

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Secretary General, Reverend Fr Henry Saindi has urged children to use Catholic-owned radio and television stations to learn and nurture their Catholic faith amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fr Saindi made these remarks on Sunday, 1st November 2020, when Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Malawi presented awards to children and adolescent Catholics who participated in a television and radio-based Catechism quiz program “Learn your Faith and Win” at Luntha TV, Radio Maria and Radio Alinafe.

For the past three months, PMS has been offering lessons on the Catholic faith using the Catholic media to protect the children from physical interactions that would expose them to Coronavirus.

Fr. Saindi encouraged Catholic parents to always give time to their children time resources necessary for them to learn about the Catholic Church.

“As Christian parents, it is our responsibility to cultivate our children’s faith and encourage them to become God-fearing, sensitive and responsible adults. Having a solid set of Catholic values and beliefs can go a long way in helping our child make right choices in today’s increasingly complex world,” he emphasized.

PMS National Director Father Vincent Mwakhwawa said the awards were aimed at motivating and encouraging the children to continue learning and knowing God more, and also help other children to start following the lessons as well.

“It is believed that by using a rewards system, children will strive to learn the prayers in order to obtain the award associated with each newly learned prayer. The more prayers that a child learns, the more awards he receives to reflect his personal efforts,” said Mwakhwawa.

Patrick Likongwe, one of the parents whose children won awards in the competition, thanked the PMS for organizing such a competition. Likongwe, who is a parishioner at Saint Kagwa Parish in Lilongwe, described his daughter as obedient.

“We decided to encourage our child to participate for her to learn about the Catholic faith and to recognize the efforts of other Catholic children who are moving forward in their spiritual growth. Our daughter, Clotilda, obeyed and enjoyed participating in the program. I also encourage fellow parents to raise their children to grow with Christ,” said Likongwe.

One of the awardees, George Jana of Mtima Oyera Parish, did not hide his excitement and encouraged fellow children to do the same.

“I encourage my fellow Catholic children to always follow the lessons on Luntha TV, Radio Maria and Alinafe instead of going out to play in order to win their own gifts too,” said George.

The awardees got T-shirts, Bibles, Pictures, branded exercise books and rosaries to enable them deepen their faith.