MALAWI: Catholic Parliamentarians advised to distribute government resources equitably

Demetria Banda

The Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Officer at the Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr. Henry Chinkanda has requested all Catholic Members of Parliament to distribute Government resources equitably in the country.

Fr Chinkanda said this on Wednesday 30 June 2021 at the Parliament Buildings during the Holy Eucharist celebration for the Catholic Parliamentarians who ended their budgetary seating session.

In his homily, Fr Chinkanda said that it is only when there is equitable distribution of the resources in a country that all can ‘have life and have it to the full’.

Fr. Chinkanda reminded the Members of Parliament that they are called by God to be just and merciful politicians hence distributing government resources equitably.

“The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2: 44-45) provide an outstanding example of how the equitable distribution of resources became an important characteristic of the early Church when we read that ‘All believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.’ The same principle should govern our financial decisions. We believe that this budget will be shared equitably so that each Malawian citizen may benefit,” articulated Fr Chinkanda

He further asked the parliamentarians to recognize that in God’s economy, He equips some with more so that they can bless others who have less.

“The major part of poverty we are experiencing poverty is a result of some form of human sin and error. The poor people are victims of other people’s sin such as poor governance, corruption, xenophobia, greed, exploitation of the vulnerable workers by paying them wages below legal standards, etc.,” he said.

“It is reckoned that about 1.4 billion of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, meaning that, they lack the basic necessities of life and live at subsistence level, on a kind of “hand-to-mouth” existence. This is why the passage found in 2 Corinthians 9:11 tells us that God makes us rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion,” he added.

Fr Chinkanda underscored his point with the New Testament story of Lazarus, arguing that often times rich people fall are trapped by sensual desires.

“Love of money can breed all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains (1 Tim 6:10). The consequences of such greed are often more than just a damage to their own spiritual state: they also deprive others of the much-needed resources in life. This is why it is important for Members of Parliament to believe in God and collaborate with Him,” he concluded

The Eucharist celebration was held at Parliament Buildings under the theme “Equitable Distribution of God Given Resources”. In attendance during the holy mass were Catholic parliamentarians from all political parties from all parts of the country.