Category: News

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has reaffirmed its commitment in ensuring that Malawi hosts free, fair, and credible elections by making sure that peace prevails across the country.

This commitment has been made during a training of trainers’ academy on electoral management skills in Lilongwe, ahead of the 16 September general elections.

CCJP Programs Officer Gollie Khonje, highlighted that CCJP believes preventing conflicts and ensuring everyone’s participation in free and fair elections is crucial for the nation.

“We believe that conflict can arise from embedded issues that have happened before and are also happening now. So, we believe if we pinpoint those issues, we can be able to prevent violence,” explained Khonje.

Khonje called for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders if the nation is to achieve its goal of having free, fair, and violence-free elections, observing the current state of peace as worrisome.

“I think we’re not doing well. I would say there’s more that we need to do to prevent any escalation beyond this point. So, we believe if indeed we can take part in this, any initiatives that are there, we can do it,” she added.

In his remarks, CCJP Acting Coordinator in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe and a participant in the training, Fletcher Mbewe, expressed confidence that the knowledge gained will help them sensitize communities on the need for peace.

“As you know, CCJP, we advocate for peaceful elections. So, with these coming elections, we are supposed to take part in making sure that these elections are free and fair, and also, we need to sensitize those people about the importance of them taking part in elections,” Mbewe said.

Mbewe then committed to championing the message of peace in communities to achieve the goal of a peaceful election.

“We have to go to the communities and make sure we sensitize them. So, as far as elections are concerned, they should, one, take part in the electoral process. They should also avoid getting involved in violent activities. And also, they should also make sure they manage conflicts when they arise,” he added.

As September 16 draws closer, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will on Monday, 14 July, launch the official campaign period, with a number of stakeholders calling for unity and tolerance among various political parties for the period to be violence-free.

The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) says the country is not fully prepared to conduct a free and fair campaign period, citing recent events that the organisation believes undermine the democratic process.

The organization’s assessment comes in light of recent violence, believed to have been fuelled by political differences.

“Considering the recent events that have occurred in the country, we would say that, as a country, we are probably not yet ready to have a truly free and fair election,” explained Denis Mwafulirwa, CHRR Programs Officer, in an interview.

“When we talk about a free and fair election, we are also looking at whether people are free to express themselves in a way that is not disrupted, whether by the state or by any other actor, operating independently or under influence. Looking at the incidents that have happened, I would say that as a country, we are still not ready.”

Mwafulirwa’s remarks come as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is set to launch the official campaign period for the September 16 general elections on July 14, 2025.

According to Mwafulirwa, the incidents witnessed recently suggest a shortfall in this fundamental aspect of electoral freedom.

“Looking at the incidents that have happened, I would say that as a country we are still not ready,” he reiterated.

He emphasized the critical role of political leaders and parties, as well as institutions entrusted with maintaining safety and security, including the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force. He urged them to ensure they are helping to create an environment that is free for all.

“Looking at how political leaders themselves, and political parties themselves, have handled situations like this, including those institutions mandated to provide safety and security, the Malawi Police, the Malawi Defence Force, we are in a situation where we need to ask ourselves what we need to do to make sure that the upcoming elections, especially the campaign, create an environment that is free and fair for everyone,” he urged.

The country has been grappling with political violence, with various incidents recorded, mostly among major political parties, as the September 16 general elections draw closer.

In a remarkable display of solidarity and service, the Congregation of Teresian Sisters in Malawi have renewed their commitment to uplift Catholic women across the country by equipping them with transformative life skills through their ongoing Women Liberation Project, the sisters are fostering self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and community cohesion in all dioceses nationwide.

Project Coordinator Sister Teleza Mulenga voiced her satisfaction with the momentum of the initiative across dioceses and emphasized the importance of strategic evaluation.

“I am so impressed with the reports on what these women are doing in their dioceses. Regarding the challenges they’ve outlined, we are going to sit down and see how we can move forward,” she affirmed.

Speaking during a plenary meeting with representatives from the Catholic Women’s Association (CWA), Sister Colleta Bester, Superior Mother General of the Teresian Sisters, expressed her deep satisfaction with how women have embraced and applied their new skills in local communities.

“We are happy with how women are using the knowledge gained. We are now planning to work with more sister’s congregations to reach every corner of Malawi,” she said.

Over 4,000 women have now been trained face-to-face, while 230 women have been certified as trainers, enabling ripple effects throughout their communities.

Reports from Karonga, Mangochi dioceses, and Archdiocese of Lilongwe highlight training of women in various skills where Karonga diocese has managed to traing about 3200 women.

In Dedza Diocese, 1,500 trees have been planted with the help of Bishop Adrian Chifukwa who provided land to these women in also responding to late Pope Francis letter “Laudato Si,” in taking care of the environment.

Dioceses like Mzuzu, Zomba, Archdiocese of Blantyre and Chikwawa diocese are leading the way in inclusive training, involving men in efforts to combat gender-based violence and promote economic self-sufficiency.

During the certificate award presentations to the trainers, Donex Msowoya, Senior Quality Monitoring Officer from Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), assured continued support in guiding women to meet market requirements.

“We’ll continue providing knowledge and skills to ensure these women produce quality goods that can always compete at the market.”

CWA National Chairperson, Christina Lakiyoni, encouraged women nationwide to join such initiatives, stressing that training is the first step towards independence.

“We call on women to rise, take part, and transform their families and communities.”

The partnership between the Teresian Sisters and Catholic Women’s Association in all dioceses is more than a project. It’s a movement. One that’s empowering thousands of Malawian women to take charge of their future, uplift their communities, and nurture a more equitable society.

Through the project, the women are being trained in soap and body lotion making, fertilizer making from urine, charcoal briquettes crafting, Gender-based violence education, tree planting and environmental conservation.

By Titus Jata Phiri

Monsignor Henry Chinkanda has called on Christians at Mtima Woyera Parish to be instruments of peace both in their communities and across the country, drawing inspiration from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.

In his homily during a Mass celebration at the Parish, celebrating their Patron Sacred Heart of Jesus, Monsignor Chinkanda commended the faithful for choosing the Sacred Heart of Jesus as their patron.

He emphasized that every Christian should reflect inwardly and ask themselves whether their heart is pure and whether they contribute peace in their surroundings.

“Today, we must ask ourselves: is my heart pure? What are the things I need to let go of in my life in order to have a clean heart and become a bringer of peace in my life and also to the others.”

Monsignor Chimkanda also urged Christians to pray for peace as Malawi prepares for its upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, Parish Priest for Mtima Woyera, father Innocent Mtapaonga, encouraged unity among the faithful in all parish affairs.

“We have heard much from Monsignor Chinkanda’s homely. Let us take his teachings seriously and strive to bring peace wherever we are even within our Parish.”

In his remarks, deputy Vice Chairperson for the Parish Joseph Mwanoka also appealed to parishioners to be selfless and united in supporting the Parish’s growth and development activities.

“As a Parish, we have visions and development goals, such as buying a Parish bus and implementing other projects. For us to achieve these, we must work hand-in-hand and reflect on Monsignor Chinkanda’s message.”

The Parish community celebrated the feast day with joyful singing, traditional dances, sale of assorted goods, and shared meals, highlighting their unity as one spiritual family.

By Titus Jata Phiri

The Catholic Church in Malawi has today, 28th June 2025, hosted a highly anticipated “Special Tea with Archbishop,” fundraising event which has successfully rallied support for the nation’s very first National Children’s Congress, set to take place from July 30th to August 4th, 2025, at Don Bosco Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

The event, organized by the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), through the Pontifical Mission Societies, highlighted the Church’s renewed focus on its youngest members.

Speaking after the event, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala explained that bishops, recognizing the Church’s growth among children, decided it was time to prioritize them.

Archbishop Tambala has interestingly said that the idea for a children’s congress didn’t just come from the top, but it was a plea from the children themselves.

His Grace shared that children across various parishes and dioceses had specifically asked for their own time to pray and reflect on their faith and that the congress is the Church’s direct answer to this “cry and request,” and it’s just the beginning of many more such events to come.

Archbishop Tambala also issued a heartfelt appeal to parents to accompany the children and urging them to attend, emphasizing that children want to express their faith in front of their parents and church leaders which he stressed, would encourage and strengthen the children in their faith.

“Come in your numbers, big numbers and accompany the children,” Archbishop Tambala implored.

In his remarks, the Director of Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi, Father Peter Madeya, underscored the financial need for the congress.

“For this Congress to take place we need resources,” he stated, urging parents to provide financial support to make the July event a reality.

He has highlighted that the congress is vital for strengthening children’s faith, preparing them to “defend the Church and also can defend the society.”

The funds raised today at Maula Cathedral are essential as they’ll cover the logistics for the Children’s Congress, which will teach participants about faith, values, and critical issues like human trafficking and cyberbullying.

By Eric Norman Mkwaira