MALAWI: Cleric in Malawi Warns Against Thirst for Power

By Brenard Mwanza

Parish Priest at Malawi’s Holy Rosary – Likuni parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Reverend Father Damiano Chitha, has challenged Christians and people across the world to refrain from having a voracious appetite for power.

He said that power-hungry people endanger the world by using force to achieve their goals.

In his homily on Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the church’s calendar, which was observed on November 24, 2024, Father Chitha stated, “Many countries have gone to war because of people’s thirst for power; the desire to rule and not to serve.”

Additionally, the parish priest urged the congregation to emulate Jesus Christ who was a King – serving the populace rather than ruling them.

The Diocesan cleric added that the time that the Church celebrates Christ the King should remind everyone to be passionate about serving others.

“When someone is driven to lead rather than serve others in relationships, marriages, Small Christian Communities, and the modern world, things go wrong. May this celebration keep us from wanting to rule others instead of serving them,” he said.

During the same occasion, the parish established the Catholic Chiefs’ Association, encouraging chiefs to imitate Christ in their leadership.

Father Chitha said chiefs have long been neglected, but the Church in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe now views it as crucial to include them in all of its endeavors.

The association aims to bring together local Catholic leaders to collectively determine the best methods of guiding their subjects and encouraging one another to pursue spirituality.

The chairperson for the association senior group Mtanga said they now feel inspired to be absorbed into the church, which will greatly advance their spiritual life.

Meanwhile, the association has already been formed in a few other parishes within the archdiocese, including Christ the King, Nambuma, St. Mathias, Lumbadzi, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Mlale.

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