The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has taken a strong stance against child marriages, a practice that the Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa describing it as an “evil that destroys” the lives of young people and contributes to national poverty.
Speaking recently during a sacrament of confirmation at Msukuwala zone in Guillime Parish (Mchinji), Bishop Mwakhwawa addressed the issue of child marriage, which he noted is common in rural communities.
The bishop emphasized the importance of safeguarding children’s rights and encouraged parents to resist pushing their children into early unions.
“We as church leaders, we take this opportunity of such celebrations, such gatherings of adolescents, that they should love school,” he stated.
Bishop Mwakhwawa also appealed to the adolescents to focus on their education and future goals, rather than rushing into marriage.
He acknowledged that poverty often drives the practice, with some parents pushing their children into marriage because they cannot afford school fees.
“It was very clear here that parents also are encouraging this kind of bad practice, noting that some parents may even seek to gain income from the weddings,” the bishop said.
Hislordship mentioned that the church, in collaboration with the government and other organizations, is actively working to combat this trend.
He urged parents and young people to prioritize education, which he said is essential for personal growth and for the development of the nation.
“Through this celebration, we have encouraged young people to love school and also have ambitions of getting education that they can save the country in their various capacities when they finish school,” Bishop Mwakhwawa concluded.
By Lester Mhone