Catholic bishops bemoan state of governance
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has expressed concern about the socio-economic and political climate in the country, citing increasing levels of poverty due to corruption and theft of government resources, Nation on Sunday has learnt.
The dwindling state of affairs was discussed during the plenary session attended by all bishops in Malawi and the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, Most Reverend Julio Murat. The session run from January 29 to February 2 2018 at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe.
In an e-mail response to a Nation on Sunday questionnaire, ECM secretary general Father Henry Saindi confirmed the meeting, saying it tackled several challenges facing the country.
“Let me point out that having received the reports from CCJP [the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace], Cadecom [Catholic Development Commission in Malawi] and PAC [Public Affairs Committee], the bishops, as pastors were very concerned and worried about the socio-political and economic climate in the country. For example, they were concerned that Electoral Reforms Bills were frustrated and defeated not on the basis of their merit or demerit but simply because the people’s representatives chose to give way to the advancement of their personal and selfish interests at the expense of the national and common good.
“They were worried about the increasing levels of poverty and the growing gap between the rich and the poor because of corruption and stealing of government resources. They were also concerned about the prospects of hunger due to unpredictable rainfall pattern. These have been and remain the concerns of every well-meaning Malawian, including the bishops, the pastors of souls,” said Saindi.
On the current contentious K4 billion which the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government proposed to be given to members of Parliament for rural development, Saindi said the bishops do not have a position yet, since the issue happened after their meeting.
“I can, therefore, confirm with you that the bishops do not have any official position on the K4 billion scandal. They have only come to appreciate the matter through the information which is available in public domain,” he said.
Going forward, Saindi said, Catholics and people of goodwill should “seriously assess the conduct and behaviour of the current crop of leaders so that they vote wisely.
According to sources, during the meeting CCJP appraised the conference on the socio-political and economic situation; Cadecom on the prospects of hunger while PAC tackled the failed electoral reforms and deep-rooted corruption, among other issues.
Sources further said the bishops were particularly concerned that there seem to be little or no effort to improve the governance situation in the country.
In an interview, Lilongwe -based governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali agreed with the bishops’ position on the state of governance, saying a number of local and international reports have pointed to increased levels of corruption.
He apportioned blame on both the Executive and the opposition, citing how Parliament handled electoral reforms and the recent K4 billion issue.
Said Munthali: “For the first time in recent years we have seen government and the opposition being an accomplice —uniting to either frustrate policy or legal reforms that would benefit the people or in some cases suspending oversight roles to some suspicious dealings involving the Executive arm of government. The Lilongwe -Salima water project, the K4 billion scandal and electoral reforms are examples. These are signs of deteriorating governance”.
When contacted government spokesperson Nicholas Dausi refused to comment, saying they will not engage the church through the media.
“We respect the view of the church and we know they are partners in development. You are not going to argue with the church in the media. I have no comment on the issue,” he said. n
