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Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - "As the term of office in Parliament comes to an end, it is good to recall that for five years, God has been working miracles through the various services the Honourable Members rendered to the people of Malawi": with this spirit, Catholic Members of Parliament and some Members of Parliament from other faith denominations celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass presided by Father Henry Chinkanda, the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Officer (CPLO) in Parliament in Lilongwe. On 21st May 2019, Malawi will conduct Elections to elect a new President and Members of Parliament, which will renew the political landscape in the country.
In a note from the Episcopal Conference sent to Fides, Fr. Henry explains that "Members of Parliament themselves found it necessary to thank God at the end of the 5- year term of office, serving the Malawian Nation in that capacity. Giving thanks requires one to be optimistic in life and there is always need for one to regularly see the good things in life so as to be able to give thanks to God – the source of all that is good", he writes. "Anybody who knows and understand one’s beginning should be grateful to God for the beginning of everything that is good in life. The person who strives to justly succeed in life is the one who is always thankful to God; who does everything as God wills; who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness; and has a heart ready to praise God", points out Fr. Henry. "There are so many unrealized graces of God even during problems of life. It is imperative that one recognizes the good that has come even from bad experiences. A bad experience one went through could give birth to a new blessing in life", says Fr. Henry.
Speaking at the end of the Mass, leader of the Catholic Community in Parliament, Hon. Francis Kasaila, reiterated "the importance of giving thanks to God considering the marvels that God worked for them when they had to struggle to get elected into Parliament, five years ago". "I pray that the majority of us make it back after the elections on 21st May 2019", he added.
The CPLO has called upon the Honourable Members to campaign with a Christian face by desisting and refraining from instigating acts of violence, proposing themes and programs always with a constructive spirit and to build the common good of the country. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2019)
