MALAWI: Hearken to the Cry of Poor Malawians: Catholic Bishops to Government
Catholic Bishops in Malawi
Stella Zulu
Catholic bishops under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) have asked government to respond to the cry of poor Malawians by taking bold and viable public policy actions in the country.
This has been said in a Pastoral statement released by ECM on Tuesday, October 10.
The ECM has said slightly two years of voting the current government into power with expectations of change, there is desperate and ever-intensifying cry of the poor in the country due to ever deepening struggle for survival.
“In solidarity with the vast majority of Malawians who are languishing in deeper and deeper poverty, the Catholic Church, through us your Bishops, wishes, once again, to raise its voice with and on behalf of the poor,” said the bishops.
The prelates noted that there are a number of problems that are making lives of Malawians unbearable including high cost of living.
“This cry is caused by, among other things, the worsening general inflation with biting food price increases, rising youth unemployment, rising school fees, inadequate medical services, the fuel crisis driving up transport costs, exploitation by unscrupulous traders and business people, foreign exchange shortages, and lack of effective consumer protection. To truly respond to the cry of the Poor requires bold and viable public policy actions” the statement reads in parts.
“Even when such challenges as the hurricanes, Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine are factored in, our humble but honest submission is that we have missed out on leadership to seize opportunities, policy direction and intervention critically sought for at such times,” It continues.
The ECM has therefore lamented corruption, defective service delivery systems, inconsistent government austerity measures, bleak picture of the oncoming crop growing season, and the government’s retrogressive way of governing to be some of the reasons for worsening poverty among Malawians.
On corruption, the bishops have said it is sad to note that the vice has become almost accepted in the country due to lack of decisive and effective leadership to combat it, especially on cases concerning high profile people.
“Corruption is causing havoc across several arenas of governance and service provision. We, the Catholic Bishops in Malawi, are deeply disturbed to note that some of the long-time defenders of the poor of the poorest in our country, have now become spokespersons of the powerful and the rich, leaving the weakest citizens of our country groping in the dark alone in search of economic justice. We call upon all those tasked with elimination of corruption to do their duty without delay on behalf of the citizens of Malawi,” said the bishops.
To better the lives of Malawians and meet the needs of all citizens, the ECM has said duty bearers in the fight against corruption should systematically collaborate; the Office of the President and Cabinet should demonstrate by example in the enforcement of government austerity measures and ensure the implementation of the public sector reforms and that there should be social protection measures to cushion the sufferings of the poor; and effective safeguards to protect consumers from hostile and exploitative commodity market.
The bishops, have also said the Tonse Alliance government should focus their attention on governing Malawi in a way motivated by fairness for all and true development of the country and not politicking.
ECM has also urged Malawians to exercise their right to participate in the affairs of the country by constructively engaging and holding the government accountable.
