By Burnett Munthali
The government has praised the Catholic Bishops for maintaining a neutral position and refraining from endorsing any political party ahead of the September 16 general elections.
Additionally, the government has urged the Bishops to continue praying for the country as it prepares for the polls.
These remarks come in response to a pastoral letter issued by the Catholic Bishops, which was read in churches across the country on Sunday.
In their letter, the Bishops called on Catholics and people of goodwill to pray for national leaders, a peaceful election, and the fight against corruption.
Speaking to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu expressed the administration’s appreciation for the pastoral letter.
He emphasized that President Lazarus Chakwera’s government remains committed to serving the Malawian people.
One of the key concerns raised in the pastoral letter was the fight against corruption, a matter that Kunkuyu addressed directly.
He pointed out that under President Chakwera’s leadership, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has received unprecedented support in terms of resources.
“For the first time, ACB has enough human resources to execute its mandate amicably,” said Kunkuyu.
He further highlighted that the government has significantly increased funding to the ACB to strengthen its operations.
According to Kunkuyu, there has never been political interference in the ACB’s work under the current administration.
He stated that these efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to fighting corruption in the country.
The pastoral letter and the government’s response highlight the crucial role of religious leaders in fostering democracy, accountability, and good governance.
As Malawi moves closer to the elections, the neutrality of religious institutions remains key in promoting national unity and ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
