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can terminate witchcraft. Such tricksters are even condemned by the Laws of Malawi and should once discovered be reported to the law enforcement agencies of the land. (ii) Homosexuality: based on biblical truth the Synod condemns in its totality the practice of homosexuality. It is biblically and culturally an evil that dehumanizes people and provokes Gods wrath. We advise our members to categorically refrain from such a practice and advocate its termination from our society. We stand in solidarity with the majority of Malawians who equally condemn the practice of homosexuality. b. Food Security (a) Taking custody of what we have: We are all aware that the rainfall is erratic these days especially this 2011/2012 season which has failed in many parts of the country. This year maize yields and indeed other crops have been adversely affected. In short, food will not be enough. We therefore ask all our members to take care of the little they will harvest. Let us also be aware of the unscrupulous traders who will be coming in our areas wanting to buy from us the little maize we have this year. (b) Food crop diversity; Due to the global climate change which Malawi is experiencing, we should expect erratic rain patterns to continue over the years. We therefore appeal to all of you to diversify the growing of food crops apart from the traditional ones such as maize, rice and others known in your area. (c) Fairness on Fertiliser Subsidy As a church we recognise that in recent years steps have been taken to address food security. We have in mind the fertilizer subsidy programme and the Greenbelt initiative which we believe will augment rain fed agriculture. The fertilizer subsidy programme which is aimed at boosting maize production has many challenges which include late distribution, insufficient stocks and corrupt practices. There have been instances where beneficiaries have been requested to pay more than MK500 for a bag of fertilizer (d) Cash Crop[ Alternatives Tobacco remains the primary foreign exchange earner for malawi. Unfortunately market prices have fallen. We would like to appeal to government to introduce alternative crops that will replace tobacco. This is light of the current antismoking lobby. Government should endeavour to create a conduicive environment which will attract buyers who may wish to buy Malawian tobacco at profitable prices. We should bear in mind that when farmers do not realise adequate cash from tobacco, they end up selling maize and consequently create food shortages for their families. c. Praying for our nation We remind all Christians that as a church we have an obligation to pray for our nation. Whatever affects our country politically, socially and economically will affect us too (Jer 29:7). We give praises to the Lord for the successes of ouir nation but also cry unto Him for mercy because of the various political, social and economic challenges that our country is currently experiencing. With specific reference to political governance, the CCAP Nkhoma Synod identifies both positive and negative issues that we need to pray for. 1. Positive Issues (a) The multiparty system of government is being sustained in this country (b) Freedom of worship and that Malawi is a God Fearing Country (c) Unlike many countries in Africa, Malawi has never been at war (d) People are free to belong to a political party of their choice (e) Freedom of expression and the exercise of all other rights are enshrined in the Republican Constitution
2. Issues Pertaining to Governance (a) Political leaders We have to pray for the State President and his cabinet for their health to govern this country with sober minds and concern for all Malawians without bias along tribal, regional and political party affiliations. People occupying senior public positions should be appointed only on merit. Similarly the awarding of contracts should be done fairly. It is sad to note that some ruling party leaders are openly declaring that contracts should be awarded only to ruling party members. This cannot be condoned in a democratic environment. (b) Traditional leaders We have to pray that the government should not entice traditional leaders with gifts in order to promote the ruling governments agenda. Chiefs are representatives of all people with different political affiliations. (c) Corruption We have to pray against corrupt practices as it is an evil that has ruined our society and needs to be confronted by all Malawians. All Christians must join the fight against corruption (d) Law makers We have to pray for our law makers to avoid being influenced by their political party biases when passing laws in parliament. Laws such as the Civil Procedures (Suits by or Against Government or Public Officers) Injunctions, Section 46 of the Penal Code Amendment Act (discretionary control over the media and most parts of the Pensions Act are unpopular and therefore unnecessary and only serve the interests of a few. (e) Shortage of Fuel and Forex Let us pray that the continuous shortage of fuel and foreign exchange should come to an end. This has caused the escalation of prices of essential commodities affecting all Malawians particularly the rural poor. (f) Political Violence We have to pray against the alleged acts of political violence promoted by the youth wings which is creating fear and instability in the country. We also pray against the unprofessional conduct of some members of the Malawi Police Service in handling recent demonstrations and political unrest. The use of live ammunition on unarmed citizens during the peaceful demonstrations on July 20th is a shameful testimony for Government (g) Judiciary Strike Let us pray for divine intervention in the Judiciary Strike which denying access to justice to many innocent people. Nkhoma Synod is deeply concerned with the way in which the Executive is handling issues related to other constitutional arms of government such as the Judiciary and the University of Malawi. (h) Government working relationship with partners We have to pray for the Malawi Governments working relationship with other nations both near and far, the donor community and local NGOs. Our country cannot afford to maintain sour relationships with neighbours like Zambia and our longtime donors like the United Kingdom. We cannot afford to see a deteriorating brotherly relationship between our State President and the Zambian President as well as the souring relationship between Malawi and Britain which was precipitated after we chased the British High Commissioner. It should be remembered that when elephants fight it is the grass that suffers (i) Relocation of Lilongwe University of Science and Technology (LUSTEC) and Stadium from the Central to the Southern Region The CCAP Nkhoma Synod noted with sadness the sudden change of mind to relocate two projects without a convincing explanation. We need to pray against such poor and selfish decisions by government. The move of the proposed Lilongwe University of Science and Technology from
Lilongwe to Ndata Farm in Thyolo as well as the proposed stadium from the Capital City to Blantyre has left us as a Church very concerned since the projects would have afforded our faithful and other people resident in the central region jobs and business opportunities (j) Monopoly of trade Let us pray for the economic injustice that we see in our land in the form of monopoly of trade. There are a few individuals and organisations that are given opportunities to invest in so many businesses and contracts to the disadvantage of small scale business people. Such a practice renders the rich richer and the poor poorer. We would like to reiterate that all Malawians have a right to economic activity. d. Special appeals on socio-ethical issues 1. Alcoholism It has come to our attention that there is a great increase in alcoholism in our society. This is due to the introduction and unregulated sale and consumption of alcohol in sachets such as Tyson and Ryder. These are wantonly sold and consumed by people of all ages. We appeal to our church members to refrain from drunkenness because it is an evil condemned by God and has serious long term damaging affects to health. We appeal for the government to regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol. 2. Indecent dressing While we appreciate the freedom of dressing, we would like to appeal to our members to exercise their freedom with responsibility. Freedom of dress should not make people less human by exposing their body structures in a provocative and inviting manner. We appeal especially to our female members not to join the bandwagon of careless dress in the name of freedom. We are made in Gods image and our bodies are Gods temple that deserves honour. 3. Early marriages We are appealing to all our members to encourage children to remain in school and serious with their education and thus avoid early marriages. As a church, we attach great value to education. Through our schools we shall endeavour to promote the standards of education in Malawi and keep children in school. As partners with government in education and development, we strongly condemn all the cultural and social elements that force boys and girls to drop out of school and marry early. 4. Pornography We appeal to all our members to guard themselves from this cancerous addition that is promoted by access to the internet. It is an evil that is ruining the minds of people across all age groups. Conclusion Our Lord Jesus Christ died for us to set us free so that we can be useful instruments in his hand. He is the Light to the World Jn 8:12 and so are we. While we undergo the pains and afflictions of this life caused by social imbalances and injustices, we are liberated through the suffering death and resurrection of our Master Jesus Christ. As such we can exercise our faith in Jesus Christ in our time in our nation by our commitment to prayer. Our nation may be shaken economically politically and socially but the authority of our head of the church Jesus Christ will never be shaken. Earthly governments come and go but the heavenly government in which we put our faith will never come to an end We wish our members a wonderful and meaningful Easter
Posted by Kondwani Munthali at 6:32 AM