MALAWI: Archbishop Tambala Condemns Political Violence
Archbishop Tambala
ECM Correspondent
President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Archbishop George Desmond Tambala has condemned all forms of political violence and urged the Catholic faithful to reject and resist the same.
Instead, Archbishop Tambala has asked the Catholic faithful and all people of good-will to welcome and accommodate all aspiring for political office so they sell their manifestos freely for close screening.
Archbishop Tambala said this Saturday, November 30, in his Archdiocese of Lilongwe where he ordained two priests.
The archbishop who is also President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi was clear about his concern over reports of political violence in Malawi in the build-up to elections in 2025.
He said the church did not expect the Catholic faithful to take part in political violence.
Archbishop Tambala specifically addressed priests and lay leaders to be at the forefront by ensuring there is a level playing field for all who are aspiring for the presidency in the September 2025 polls.
“I do not expect and I urge priests and lay leaders not to take sides. Do not favour one aspirant over another. Let them all spell out how they plan to deal with problems that we are faced with.
“They should tell people what it is they will do to change our lives. To develop this country. Not pangas. We do not want violence in the South, here in the centre, or the North. What is the gain in hacking each other? If you are a Catholic, do not take part in violence,” he said likening the political jostling to the story in the Bible of two brothers whose mother wanted to be either on the left or right of Jesus.
