Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) president Bishop Martin Mtumbuka has asked judges and lawyers to desist from defending laws that militate against the will of God.
The Karonga Diocese bishop described such tendencies as unacceptable because they have left an indelible impact on poor citizens.
“We do not want this…. Do not promote issues, laws and policies that defile God’s will,” said Mtumbuka on Saturday at the Zomba Cathedral during the church’s Jubilee of Justice that brought together Catholics involved in the field of law and justice.
While emphasising on the necessity of the rule of law, he advised judges and lawyers to always demonstrate solid integrity when executing their duties.
Mtumbuka said Malawians were not flourishing because of corruption and resources that are being abused with culprits not being held accountable for their evils.
“Always defend the rule of law because it is theft and corruption that has kept this country poor, that is preventing people from flourishing 60 years after independence,” he said.
Mtumbuka said the necessity of the rule of law defends the poorest in society and if only culprits were being held accountable, most of our resources would be available, especially for those in greatest need.
He said: “So, judges and lawyers, especially Catholics, must be exemplary. They should be authentic, upright in everything they do and live beyond the reproach.
“When they do this, they will also be promoting a sense of hope in the country, because people will trust them that when they go to them, they will get justice as it should be.”
Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda said the country cannot develop if the rule of law is not being observed.
“This country cannot develop unless we all observe the rule of law. There is nobody who is above the law everybody must be subjected to the law,” he said.
Organising committee chairperson Charles Mkandawire, a Justice of Appeal, commended MCCB for the event which brought together Catholic judges, magistrates, lawyers, law students and Catholics working in the justice system.
He said the legal professionals as pilgrims of hope responded to the church’s call to journey together in the jubilee year that started in December last year and ends in January 2026.
The event, celebrated under the theme ‘Builders of justice, bearers of hope’, started with a pilgrimage procession from St. Peter’s Major Seminary to the cathedral where Mtumbuka, assisted by Bishop Alfred Chaima of Zomba Diocese, celebrated Eucharistic Mass.
During the event, MCCB also officially launched the Catholic Lawyers Association and elected former Malawi Law Society (MLS) president Alfred Majamanda as its president with MLS chief executive officer Chrispin Ngunde ushered in as secretary general.
