‘Democracy should change living standards’

Monsignor John Roche, whose seven years in charge of the Roman Catholic Church in Mzuzu Diocese was marred by deportation on account of instigating the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) to rise up against founding president Kamuzu Banda’s one-party rule in 1992, visited the country last week to witness the consecration of Bishop John Ryan. JOHN CHIRWA caught up with him. Excerpts:

Q

How does it feel to be back in Malawi?

A

There are mixed emotions. I first came to Malawi in 1972. So, Malawi was like my home. I felt very much at peace, I loved the people of Malawi, I loved the culture of Malawi. I felt at home. But I had to leave very quickly in 1992 when I was expelled because of that year’s pastoral letter. Then, I had the feeling of vulnerability, regret and, maybe, even anger.

So, when I was coming back this time I could feel all those conflicting emotions. Part of it, I was happy to be back, I was happy to see many old friends, I was happy to be in Mzuzu. And part of it, I was feeling very tense, especially after remembering the difficult times I went through after the pastoral letter in 1992.

Q

Do you have regrets for co-authoring the pastoral letter?

A

No. I have no regrets at all. It was timely. And I think it was a letter that was needed that time because Malawi was a community that lived in fear—fear of one another, fear about speaking out and fear about taking up initiatives. And I felt very much as a church person, that was our calling.

I would have regrets for being expelled. As I said earlier, Malawi was like my home. When I arrived in Ireland following my expulsion, I told the press ‘this is like a death for me’. I didn’t realise how true that was. It came from within me not realising that I had to mourn Malawi. And I have mourned Malawi. Within myself, I had a bond for Malawi, a place where I could call home. That I regretted and it was sorrowful for me, but not for the pastoral letter.

The pastoral letter was timely, it was correct and it was a prophetic moment for us [bishops], the church and the country. And because they did listen to it, we ended up in a movement that led to a democratic society. That starts to make sense now and it will always remain with me as a certain woman in Lilongwe said to me ‘a monsignor zikomo kwambiri mwatitsegulira kukhosi’ [Thanks Monsignor, you have spoken for us]. I think that was a beautiful image that somehow I facilitated the bishops in Malawi through their letter and through their courage. I facilitated that opening from the heart to the head. I have no regrets and I will always be excited about that.

And I still feel that the prophetic message has to be continued to be heard and proclaimed. I hope that the President, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi and political leaders will work together for a better Malawi.

Q

Do you think Malawi has realised the democracy you fought for?

A

The correct word for me is democratic process where views of everybody are brought together for the betterment of the country. There is joy to see that that is happening and that we have a democracy and a multiparty system.

However, I would have hoped for greater development. It is great to see new buildings and roads in cities. And yet moving into villages, it is the same as in 1972 when I arrived here. So, I wonder as to how wealth is being distributed. I wonder if poverty is really being eradicated.

When we wrote the letter, it was about exercise of justice, freedom of expression, health, and education. But underpinning all, our hope was that the new democracy will bring a better living standard for all the people of Malawi. There is a feeling within me that maybe the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’, between the poor and the rich, instead of getting smaller—which a good democracy should bring—that is not happening. Change is supposed to affect people’s lives—how they live, how they are getting the basics and more.

Q

Where are we getting it wrong as a country? And where can we do better?

A

I will give an example. Recently, we visited a prison with Bishop Ryan. And we were shocked with the dehumanising conditions of the prisoners. I don’t think human beings have to live like that even if they are offenders. Something needs to be done with the way we do things as a democratic country. To do better, we need to explore further in the sector of agriculture, tourism and information technology [IT].

Agriculture is a great sector here in Malawi. We need more vision and programmes as regards to that because it is great wealth in the soil and the majority Malawians are agriculturalists. The whole IT and tourism industries need to be explored further as well. But we need a vision. We need visionary political leaders to move the country forward.

Q

What has been keeping you busy since leaving Malawi?

A

I have travelled a lot since leaving Malawi. I first went to Zambia where I was in pastoral ministry. Then I went to Nigeria to teach at a seminary. I spent seven and half years there. From there, I went to Kenya. I spent five and half years in a seminary again. Now I am in England working in different fields, including pastoral work.

Q

Any other word?

A

It was a joy to be in Mzuzu for the ordination of Bishop Ryan. It was a wonderful occasion, and Mzuzu Diocese is showing maturity to organise such a wonderful event.  I also have great hopes in Bishop Ryan. He is visionary, very intelligent, but also a very pastoral man who loves his people and committed to Mzuzu Diocese. I have great hopes for his ministry. With his leadership in Mzuzu Diocese, good things are ahead of us.