The Catholic Church in Malawi says it is proud of the results being produced by its schools, saying they continue to rank among the better-performing institutions in the country.
Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, said the Church is pleased with the contribution its schools are making to the education of learners across the country.
“Whether you like it or not, Catholic schools are among those that are performing well in education in Malawi,” Mtumbuka said.
He was speaking on Saturday at Nzama Parish in the Diocese of Dedza during celebrations marking 125 years since the establishment of the Catholic Church in Malawi.
The celebrations were held under the theme, “Rooted in Christ, Sent for a Mission.”
Mtumbuka thanked the early missionaries for establishing the Catholic Church in Malawi and introducing education through the establishment of schools.
He also thanked government for supporting Catholic schools by providing learning materials and other educational resources.
On politics, Mtumbuka criticised political parties for failing to develop the country and for lacking respect for one another.
He said political parties often forget promises made to people during campaign rallies once they take power, leaving voters disappointed.
Mtumbuka also highlighted the Catholic Church’s contribution to the development of democracy in Malawi, particularly through its 1992 pastoral letter, Living Our Faith, which criticised the one-party government under former president Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
“Let us thank the early missionaries for the good work they did in bringing the Catholic Church to Malawi, as well as introducing education,” he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pope Leo XVI’s envoy, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, urged bishops and priests in Malawi to serve all Catholics without discrimination based on their ethnic background or place of origin.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamveka, who represented President Peter Mutharika at the event, thanked the Catholic Church for its contribution to Malawi’s development, particularly in education and health.
Mwanamveka said the history of Malawi could not be written without recognising the contribution of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church was established in Malawi in 1901 and currently has more than eight million members.
