By: ECM Communications
Catholic
Members of Malawi Parliament ended their Wednesday business with a Holy
Eucharistic Mass which is termed as Ash Wednesday for Catholic Christians world
over marking the beginning of Lenten season, thanks to the Episcopal Conference
of Malawi’s (ECM) Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office.
The
Holy Mass which attracted the presence of Parliamentarians from all Political
parties in Parliament, Independents and Cabinet Ministers was ably handled by
Parliamentarians themselves with Fr. Henry Chinkanda, ECM’s Parliamentary
Liaison Director as the main celebrant.
Among
others, Parliamentarians Mary Mpanga and Deus Gumba Banda read out first and
second readings respectively. Intercession prayers or prayers of the faithful
were offered by Parliamentarians Anna Kachikho, Juliana Lunguzi, Tarcizio
Gowelo (Minister of Local Government and Rural Development) and Roy Kachali
Banda.
Speaking
earlier before he started the Mass,Fr. Chinkanda said the Mass was celebrated
with four aims which included thanking God for appointing them through the
Constituents as Members of Parliament, thanking God for the freedom of worship
that Malawi has, Praying for oneself and leaders in the country including those
people that voted them to power and lastly praying for all flood victims in the
country.
And
in his homily from the reading in the book of Mathew 6:1-6, 16-18,Fr. Chinkanda
challenged the Parliamentarians to realize where their life lies on.
“If
you are in trouble, do not lose hope. You have to realize the meaning of your life
on this earth hence have a good working relationship with your constituents,
care for the environment and remember fasting and praying especially during
this Lenten season,” said Fr. Chinkanda.
While
quoting Philosopher Victor Frankl, Fr. Chinkanda said it is important for an
honorable MP to realize the meaning of life ranging from realizing what makes
one’s life citing worthy or position like in the case of an MP as an example.
Fr.
Chinkanda added by challenging the Parliamentarians to be true and responsible
representatives of the people.
“I
hope it would not be in the interest any Honorable Member of Parliament to peg
his or her signature on a motion or a bill that would adversely affect many
vulnerable and marginalized Malawians! That would be like crucifying Christ
once more onto the cross” he said.
Speaking
on behalf of fellow Parliamentarians, Anna Kachikho commended Malawi Bishops
for instituting the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office which is represented
by Fr. Chinkanda saying the office is able to bring them all closer to their
Church and God Almighty.
“We
as MPs will abide by what we have been advised by Fr. Chinkanda through his
homily. We will strive to be Parliamentarians who loves a prayer as a weapon in
our day to day undertakings. We also wish to continue having such gatherings in
the future,” she said.
Other
notable faces that were present during the Holy Mass included Joseph Manamveka,
Minister of Trade and Industry, Francis Kasaila, Minister of Transport and
Leader of the House, Patricia Kaliati, Minister of Gender, Disability and
Social Welfare,his husband Aggie Kaliati,Ralph Jooma and Balaka North
Parliamentarian,Lucias Banda who is also Leader of United Democratic Front in
Parliament.
The
offerings of the day will go towards assisting flood victims in the country
through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
