Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) says it has publicly rebuked five of its clerics for claiming to represent the synod at a meeting with former president Peter Mutharika.
The synod’s general secretary the Reverend Vasco Kachipapa said in an interview yesterday that Nkhoma Synod has no issue with its pastors visiting Mutharika or any politician, but what is wrong is to claim that they are flying its banner.
The five were among about 50 pastors from various churches who went to pray with Mutharika at his lakeside residence in Mangochi on Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Kachipapa said while the pastors have the right of association as individuals, they were not delegated to represent the synod.
He said: “To equate that with the leadership of the synod is a misrepresentation because the synod leadership can engage any political leader, including the head of State as long as there is an agenda.
“Any ordinary member of the clergy can also meet any political leader, but the cleric should declare whether they have been delegated or they are doing so as an individual.”
Kachipapa said the synod will summon the concerned pastors to a disciplinary hearing for using the name ‘CCAP Nkhoma Synod’ to advance their political rights.
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During the visit, leader of delegation the Reverend Chifunilo Damalankhunda of Kapeta CCAP in Dowa emphasised their unwavering support for Mutharika, describing him as a proven leader capable of rescuing Malawians from the myriad of challenges affecting the nation.
The meeting in Mangochi came after the leadership of the Nkhoma Synod met President Lazarus Chakwera on February 4 2025 at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe
The synod’s leadership was also in attendance during a public lecture which Minister of Trade and Industry and Malawi Congress Party member Vitumbiko Mumba hosted at University of Malawi (Unima) in Zomba last Friday.
In an interview yesterday, Unima lecturer on identity politics Gift Sambo said pastors are citizens with the right to association but the position they hold in society requires them to portray a semblance of neutrality.
“However, there is an element of double standards in this case because if you have a principle, then it should apply across the board to all clergy,” he said.
Another analyst Wonderful Mkhutche said it is unfortunate that the Nkhoma Synod is demonstrating contradictory behavior in handling the issue of political association.
In February, CCAP Blantyre Synod also censured 71 of its pastors for conducting prayers at Mutharika residence.
