MALAWI: “Malawi’s Record 36 Catholic Parliamentarians Called to ‘Everyday Conversion’ and Gospel-Aligned Leadership”
Sam Kalimba
Bishop president for the Pastoral Commission at the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, RT. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima has invited the 36 Catholic Parliamentarians to consider the everyday conversion of heart. He was preaching at the Eucharistic Celebration marking the orientation of the new cohort of Catholic Parliamentarians to the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) of the MCCB.
Bishop Chaima, the Local Ordinary of Zomba, inspired by the message from the book of Daniel, said that just like any other Christians, MPs are called to everyday conversion to ensure that their work is aligned to the Gospel of truth, which Daniel displayed even if he was promised fortune.
He also asked them to captivate the Catholic identity and challenge evil attempts while defending the Church’s position in and outside parliament. He advised them to avoid getting intoxicated with pleasure, power, and wealth that would distract their relationship with God, who is the giver of power.
He said that just like any other Chaplaincy in the Church, the CPLO plays the role of a Daniel, standing for the truth at all times by guiding them to do the right thing.
He advised the MPs also to make good use of all Catholic Commissions, including the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), which he said also stands for the truth.
CCJP National Coordinator, Lewis Msiyadungu, said that the MPs’ victory is not a luxury but a calling placed upon by God, a calling to serve the marginalized, to champion justice, and to transform the hopes of the poor into real opportunity.
Msiyadungu said that the MPs carry a double burden, to their constituents and to their faith. 
He said, “CCJP has faith that you will guide your legislative work with wisdom, fairness, and moral clarity. The Church counts on you to use Parliament’s oversight role effectively, to hold the executive accountable, to question borrowing that deepens debt burdens, to ensure public resources reach those who need them most, the poor, the marginalized, and the voiceless.”
He also extended an olive branch, pledging to walk alongside them during their 5-year term.
In her remarks, a representative of the MPs, Hon. Patricia Kaliati, said that they are ready to walk with the Church on their journey.
” What you see is a member of parliament, but within ourselves, we know we are Catholics. We are committed to acting Catholic by baptism and are assured that we will not fail you,” she said.
Ms. Kaliati also promised to defend life when a bill on abortion comes again to parliament.
“For those planning to bring back the abortion bill should know that as MPs, we are busy with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bill and will not allow the abortion bill to pass,” she said.
It is on record that this cohort of Catholic MPs has produced the highest number of all time. There are 229 seats in the Malawi parliament, 36 of which are held by the Catholic MPs.
