The Catholic Church in Malawi says it has not endorsed any candidate or political party for the 2019 elections.
Bishops of the church through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) said this in a statement on Friday.
“Any purported claims of support or endorsement of any particular politician or political party by either an individual Catholic Bishop or the entire Conference must be considered as advancement of falsehood and a departure from the principles of the must be considered as advancement of falsehood and a departure from the principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church. 
“We entrust our country and the entire electoral process of the May 2019 tripartite elections to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace and Seat of Wisdom.,” the Bishops said in the statement.
The bishops further reminded priests, religious men and women, catechists and heads of Catholic institutions to refrain from making utterances or doing things that can justifiably be perceived as advancing partisan politics.
Bishops who signed the statement include Most Reverend Thomas Msusa, Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka, Most Reverend Tarsizio G. Ziyaye, Right Reverend Peter Musikuwa, Right Reverend Montfort Stima, Right Reverend George Tambala, Right Reverend John Ryan and Very Reverend John Chithonje.
Their statement came after a group of Catholic Church members in Lilongwe announced that it has endorsed President Peter Mutharika.
The group which consists of members of the church from different parts of Lilongwe Diocese said it has endorsed Mutharika because of development projects which his government has managed to initiate in their areas.
Leader of the group Gaspa Lipenga pointed out construction of roads such Dowa-Chisi road, technical colleges and bus depot as projects that led to their decision.
