AFRICA/MALAWI - Catholics are "called to political commitment", in view of the 2019 elections

Tuesday, 2 October 2018 politics human rights university youth civil society elections

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Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - Catholics must remain "firm and proud of their identity and participate actively in the governance of the Country, despite the political attacks that the Church is facing", while the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections. This is what Mgr. Martin Mtumbuka, President of the Catholic University Council in Malawi reports. As Fides learns, Bishop Mtumbuka, who is also Vice President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, speaking at a meeting of students and teachers, said that Catholics "should not be shy or frightened in pursuing political commitment". "We condemn in the most absolute manner the attacks perpetrated against Catholic politicians and the Catholic Church in the Country. Regarding the democratic process of our nation - continued Bishop Mtumbuka - believers in this country have made a valuable contribution, risking a lot. Our institutions, including this University, are at everyone’s service, regardless of creed, gender or ethnicity".
Mgr. Mtumbuka urged all Catholics to "not hide because of fear of being ridiculed because of their faith" and their Church, and show courage and strength wherever they are, in any social context regardless of the humiliations to which they are subjected.
"Remember that the enemies of your Church are enemies of your faith; the enemies of your faith are enemies of your liberation; and the enemies of your liberation are agents of the devil", he added.
On the role of the Catholic University, Mgr. Mtumbuka said that the institution should help young people to become pillars of hope for the Church and Catholic society through the adherence to the Church's social teaching. He also said that the education offered by the university should not only be "informative", but must rather be "performative and creative", in order to change the lives of both professors and students. Therefore he urged students who are about to graduate to be men and women of integrity in workplaces and in the community.
In his capacity as Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi, Fr. George Buleya said the University "will continue to focus on quality and education". On 26 September, the University conferred diplomas and degrees to 381 boys and girls from faculties of education, social sciences, business sciences, law, theology, nursing and obstetrics. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 2/10/2018)