MALAWI: Catholic Church Urges Citizens to Work Hard, Fight the Country’s Poverty
MALAWI: Catholic Church Urges Citizens to Work Hard, Fight the Country’s Poverty
Susan Moyo
The auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu in Malawi Rt. Rev. Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda has appealed to citizens to be patriotic if the country is to win the fight against poverty.
Speaking on Sunday at St Pauls Parish in Mzimba district when the Catholic Church observed the World Day of the Poor, Bishop Nyirenda said whenever people have been given responsibilities be it political, public service or at church levels, they should make sure they are committed and trustworthy.
‘’Malawi is among the poorest country in the world and poverty level is increasing because of some selfish individuals who are unable to share the little resources the country has, government has failed to create conducive environment that can promote the wellbeing of people,’’ he said.
He added that laziness is contributing to high poverty levels in the country.
‘’we cannot only blame our leaders for this but as individuals we have also contributed to high poverty levels because of our laziness, God gave us resources that can help in developing our country but we are failing to utilise them, we have much depend on foreign aid,’’ he said.
He further urged the faithful to open their hearts and share the little they have with the poor and the needy
Marking the day, the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu donated assorted items amounting to at least 2 million Kwacha to over 20 needy Christians from St Pauls parish.
One of the beneficiaries, Monica Moyo, thanked the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu for the gesture.
‘’Glory be to God, we did not expect these to happen to us, may the almighty lord bless those who have contributed towards this,’’ she narrated.
The World of the poor observance was initiated in 2017 by Pope Francis and has been celebrated annually on third Sunday in November. Marking the day, a series of initiatives aim to help heal some of the wounds poor people suffer from.
This is the 7th annual world day celebration and this year the day was heard under the theme: Do not turn your face away from the poor’’(Tob:4).
