Government, CCAP Blantyre Synod Bond Unbreakable

President Peter Mutharika has assured that good relation between the Church of the Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) of Blantyre Synod and his Government will not cease because it benefits the lives of people in the country.

Mutharika was speaking on Tuesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe when the CCAP of Blantyre Synod was introducing to him the newly Synod elected leadership as well as Management Board that includes Secretary General and the Moderator.

“Let me assure the new leadership that Government will do its best to make sure that the relationship that has existed between the CCAP Blantyre Synod and Government will continue for the betterment of the lives of our People” guaranteed, Mutharika

He continued “The Church’s relationship with Government is very vital in finding concrete solutions to the needs of our People regardless of their belief. Together, we provide our people with education, food, health, water and sanitation and empowerment services, among others. We are partners in development. And together, we will do more.”

Mutharika has called upon the faithful Christians of Blantyre Synod to be obedient and loyal to their Leadership, and remain united so that their Leaders can better fulfil their responsibilities as the true servants of Go.

Likewise, the President also called upon the new leadership to continue nurturing the Faith of their Christians “This is important because with Faith everything is possible. And Faith is beyond Church. When people have faith in God, they have faith in themselves; they believe in themselves. They believe in their capabilities; and they work hard. They become people of integrity; and they become patriotic. This is what will make Malawi progress”

In his remarks, new Blantyre Synod General Secretary Alex Benson Maulana said the Synod commits to continue playing its prophetic role and advisory role to the Government of the day if given space. 

“We shall try whatever we can to engage with the leadership and the Government of the day as development partners.” He said and further assured the President that the Synod will continue to render its’ its moral, spiritual and social support as partners in development while maintaining their prophetic role.

Maulana also told Mutharika that the synod plans to establish a University and also establish a water bottling plant as a way of generating revenue for the church.

The CCAP Blantyre Synod also commended President Mutharika for strength and Courage to manage this nation without any donor support since he took over government up to now “You have our support and we shall continue to pray for your success towards greater heights as long as the lives citizens of this nation are uplifted.” Assured Maulana

New office bearers of Blantyre Synod were elected during the 30th Synod Biennial Assembly which took place from 24th -28th August, 2015.

During the interface with the President, the Synod introduced its Moderator and vice Moderator, Rev. Robson Chimkwezule and Edna Navia respectively and General Secretary, Alex Benson Maulana.

The meeting with the President was the Synod’s tradition and practice, that soon after any Biennial Assemblies they book appointment with Head of State to present an update on some issues of national interest deliberated during assemblies and to introduce the newly elected Synod Leadership.

The Synod and the President also spoke in Camera on issues of national interests.

ECM Secretariat Cheer Up Patients At Mlare Hospital With Items Close To Million Kwacha

Mlare Hospital 

Fr. Henry Saindi speaking to patients 

Malawi Catholic Secretariat team had on Thursday evening cheer up patients at a rural hospital in Lilongwe, Mlare Hospital and gave them assorted items valued close to a Million Kwacha.

The donation includes sanitation and hygiene products like soaps and various food items to every patient admitted at the Hospital.

Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Henry Saindi said through the donation, Catholic Church wanted to demonstrate church commitment to continue caring mission of Jesus Christ.

But he also mentioned that the ECM Secretariat chose Mlare Hospital because it is in the outskirt of Lilongwe City where organizations and many people of goodwill rarely visits patients during Christmas and New Year festive season. 

“They are so many organizations in town during this festive season who go to town hospitals for example Kamuzu Central Hospital to cheer the sick and give them their support unlike to the people who are admitted in the outskirt hospitals like Mlare.” Said Saindi

Doctor in Martenity ward briefing ECM delegation 

When presenting gifts to patients in every ward at the hospital, Fr. Saindi offered word of encouragement and hope to patients that even in their sickness God is with them always and he is there to care for them. He further told patients that through the donation the Catholic Church and as Christians, they also wanted to share and celebrate with them during this festive season.

“We wanted to cheer the sick because we are in the festive season of Christmas and New Year. While we are celebrating we should also acknowledge that there are so many people who are disadvantaged because they are meeting so many challenges in life either because they don’t have what they ought to have or they are meeting challenges like sickness. So as we are celebrating as Christians we are encouraged to celebrate while cheering those people who are not in the possibility of celebrating.” Explained Saindi

Sister Mini Thomas

Mlare Hospital administrator Sister Mini Thomas thanked the Catholic secretariat for the donation.

“We are very happy for coming forward and give support to our patients. And we are glad that they have come to cheer them and make this donation during this Christmas season because we know that these gifts gifts will help our patients because most of them are very poor. Surely our patients are very happy with this donation.” She said

Mlare Hospital is located about 30 kilometers South East of Malawi’s capital Lilongwe near Mitundu. The hospital has a capacity to admit more than 60 patients and see up to 200 patients a day.

Catholic Church Fight To Curb Child Abuse Launches Child Protection Policy

Arch Bishop Msusa

The Catholic Church in Malawi launches Child Protection Policy which seeks to provide guidelines, coordination and support for child protection in the socio-economic, cultural and pastoral reflection of all Catholic institutions.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Bishop Chairman, His Grace Thomas Luke Msusa said at the launch that the policy will contribute to fulfilling the Church mission in creating awareness and empowerment of people at grassroots to undertake development that is sensitive to children’s welfare in order to make sure that children are protected in all spheres.

The policy contains issues of child care, justice, protection and dignity of the children and an assurance that the rights of a child are protected in accordance with the Gospel values of Jesus Christ.

It also recognizes different forms of child abuse including sexual, physical, emotional, neglect, negligent, child labour among others that persist in Malawi society.

Msusa said the Church is through the policy set to advance child protection issues in all its instutitions as a matter of urgency by ensuring that Church activities become sensitive to Child Protection issues "in fulfillment of Christ’s evangelization mission of love and justice.”

He mentioned that as the country continues to experience a lot of heinous crimes against children that includes: early marriages; the unimaginable rape cases in courts; the child trafficking cases and the abduction of people with albinism, the Church is convinced that the Policy “is timely intervention”

He said the Policy will complement government’s interventions to curb child abuse and urged everyone to take active role and support implementation of the Policy for full realization of tangible strides.

“As Church we shall continue to mainstream protection in all our spheres of work… we also wish to challenge all our cooperating partners and Government as well to join hands in programming to advance safeguarding issues.

Together let us design our programmes so as to tackle child abuse cases holistically and bridge the gaps that exist in this area.” He said

His Grace Msusa also called upon Government to seriously priorities review of some of the documents guiding child care as well as effective implementation of the 2010 Child Care Justice and Protection Act. He added; “We urge all responsible authorities to be proactive and take swift action on reporting issues to do with child abuse.” 

The Catholic Bishop Chairman further asked Malawians to reject and denounce the evil social morals that perpetuate violence and abuse and cause moral decadence. But emphasized the need to uphold only positive cultural norms that present a brighter future for the nation.

"I am at pains to accept the deep rooted systems in our country that perpetrate child abuse. Undeniably there are some harmful cultural practices that we must all join hands to eradicate as they are counter to Gospel values that we profess.” Said Msusa

Kaliati

Meawhile, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare who was present at the occasion of the launch on Thursday at Msamba Parish in Lilongwe, thanked the Church for its continued efforts in complementing Government efforts in ending Child Abuse.

"We are really very grateful that our Catholic Bishops have taken this positive. This Policy will complement the Government Policies.

Kaliati

We are very sure that with this policy we are going to reduce violence against our children because a lot of people will be aware of the child rights and to know the importance of taking care of the children as well as consequences that follow if someone abuses the child” said Kaliati

According to Msusa, ECM developed the Policy to guide child care and safeguarding of children after long time reflection on the status the children, and the future of generation of the Church and country, in cognizance to country’s cultural and moral values and demand to embrace modern technology.

The developed Policy provides that Child Protection Office will work proactively with all Catholic institutions towards ensuring that reasonable measures are taken to minimize the risk of harm to children in church institutions, programmes and activities.

It also states that the Church will work proactively and reactively, responding to concerns and allegations of child abuse and liaising with all Catholic institutions to ensure that cases if child abuse are properly dealt with.

In Malawi, child abuse cases from 2013 statistics released by Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare on the study on Violence against Children and Young Women indicates that half of Malawians aged 18 to 24 years and one third of Malawians aged 13 to 17 years reported witnessing violence in the home.

The Church is expected to take the Policy documents to all its institution across the country and every person taking care of the child will sign that they are going to safeguard the protection policy.