Stella Zulu
Catholic politicians in Malawi have been urged to take part in the Synodal Process that will reach its climax in 2023, as the purpose of it is that the Church experiences inclusion and participation of all as a new way of doing things.
Rev Fr. Henry Chinkanda, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi’s National Pastoral Coordinator and Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Officer, said on Wednesday, the 16th of March at Parliament building in Lilongwe, during Eucharist celebration with the Members of Parliament (MPs).
“The purpose of the Synod 2023 to you as Catholic politicians is that you be witnesses of God’s love, to live as a participatory and an inclusive process in the Church, especially paying attention to the needs of the poor in society, to recognise the wealth and variety of gifts in the Church, to explore participatory ways of living the mission as Catholic MPs, to examine your responsibility and power as MPs in society, to help the Church as credible partners towards integral development of all citizens for a better society and to value cries of the people who ushered them into power,” continued Fr. Chinkanda.
In a homily titled Walking Together through Lent in a Synodal Way as Catholic Politicians, he said it is important that the MPs should be part of the Church because their work and that of the Church involves taking care of the people of God.
On the Lenten Season, Fr Chinkanda said, “This is the best time for us to journey together with the suffering Christ in the many people who are subjected to abject poverty in this country. Let us pray that you may fulfil your responsibility as Ambassadors of the people in Parliament.”
He encouraged the Members of Parliament to pray, fast and do charity work, which symbolise penance and repentance from sins during this Lenten season.
Representing the group, Hon. Deus Gumba who is the chairperson for the Catholic MPs Small Christian Community thanked Fr. Chinkanda for helping them to know more about the forthcoming Synod on Synodality.