Bishops of Malawi Call for Unity and Action in Lenten Pastoral Letter
Malawi’s bishops urge priests to remain neutral in politics before elections and encourage citizens to confront socioeconomic challenges. They highlight issues like corruption, unemployment, and social division, calling for collective action to improve lives. The letter emphasizes the need for capable leaders and a united effort to enhance Malawi’s future.
In a Lenten pastoral letter, the Bishops of Malawi have issued a directive to their priests, urging neutrality in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 16. They emphasized that any use of church structures for political purposes will not be permitted, indicating a strong commitment to maintaining the church’s impartiality in political matters.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malawi (MCCB) employed a metaphor from the Stone of the Holy Sepulchre to inspire action among the people of Malawi, encouraging them to confront the various obstacles, or “stones,” that contribute to their enduring poverty. These obstacles include corruption, the unreliability of politicians, high living costs, food insecurity, unemployment, reliance on foreign aid, and social fragmentation.
The bishops implored Malawians to take initiative by raising awareness within their communities, particularly among the poor and marginalized. They called for collective reflection and action against the socio-economic structures that perpetuate poverty and hunger, stressing that change will not occur without a unified effort to challenge these entrenched issues.
They addressed the detrimental impact of laziness and idleness on societal well-being, particularly among men who neglect their responsibilities, impacting their families. Furthermore, the bishops denounced vigilante justice in rural areas, citing examples of violence against women accused of witchcraft. They emphasized the duty of both governmental and traditional leaders in combating these societal ills.
The pastoral letter concludes on a hopeful note, encouraging trust in God and collective action as the path to overcoming obstacles such as poverty and division. The bishops called for the election of capable leaders and for individuals to take responsibility for their choices to foster a promising future for Malawi.
In their Lenten pastoral letter, the Bishops of Malawi have reinforced the importance of political neutrality for clergy while urging citizens to collectively confront the challenges of poverty, corruption, and societal division. By empowering and mobilizing communities, they advocate for a proactive approach to improving socio-economic conditions. The call to unity and responsible leadership aims to inspire hope for a better future in Malawi.
Original Source: www.fides.org
