MALAWI: “Deepen Your Faith in God, Share it with Your Children,” Bishop Chifukwa Urges Parents
Bishop Peter Adrian Chifukwa of Dedza Diocese
Stella Zulu
Catholic parents and guardians in Malawi have been urged to deepen their faith in God through prayer and share the same with their children in order for them to grow into God fearing and responsible citizens.
This was said on Epiphany Sunday, a day when the Catholic Church commemorates the Lord Jesus’ manifestation to humankind as Saviour and light to bring people to salvation. On this same day the Church in Malawi celebrates the missionary role of children in the salvation of the world.
Bishop Peter Adrian Chifukwa of Dedza Diocese during the Eucharistic celebration said that parents should raise their children in a holistic manner by fearing God and share the same values with their children, which he said will help to address some of the problems parents are facing in raising children.
“As parents, you should see your vocation as that of raising the children you have in a manner that they know God and fear him. This will help the children to do everything in their lives basing on the fear of God. To be able to do this, you need to be God fearing yourselves and share that Spiritualty with the children. As Christians, let us always remember that there is no solution that exclude our faith in God, therefore, if we form our hearts and mind through our faith in God, many of the problems children are facing in the world will be solved,” Bishop Chifukwa said.
He continued that following the example of Jesus Christ, each person should see their life as a gift and message to others, therefore it is important to be kind and good to other people which he said will help to solve most of the social problems the world in facing.
On his part, the National Director for Pontifical Mission Societies Rev Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa emphasized that through Epiphany, the Church celebrates missionary children and the great impact they have in helping fellow children in the world.
“We want to show the children that the Church trusts and believes in them and also to give confidence to the children that they are valued. Even if they are young, they have a great role to play in the Church to transform lives of their fellow children and adults. Among other things, children contribute money which is used to build schools, hospitals and Churches which means Children brings salvation to other people,” said Fr. Mwakhwawa.
Speaking on behalf of the children, Anita Chiyembekezo thanked the Church for allowing children to participate in a special way in the Church on this particular day which she says helps them to love God more and inspires them to do more as they grow.
She then urged all parents to allow their children to participate in Church activities which she said helps them to build good character and learn good behavior.
National Epiphany Sunday celebrations in the country were held at St. Martin De Pores, Dedza Parish in the diocese of Dedza under the theme “Communion in mission” which means all baptized Catholics should be in communion with Christ as they fulfill their missionary obligations.
