Roman Catholic Dismayed By Government’s Ban on Church Gatherings

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has expressed dismay with government decision to ban church gatherings without a proper consultation.

The Attorney General, Chikosa Silungwe on Friday announced the government’s immediate banning of all public convergences of more than ten people.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, signed by the Catholic Bishops says it is very displeased with government failure to engage the clergy on the decision to ban church gatherings despite the existing partnership in the fight against the global pandemic.

“For avoidance of doubt, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi wishes to express its displeasure at the manner the Guidelines have been issued.

They have taken us by surprise, we were neither informed nor consulted despite the fact that we have been in the forefront lobbying for Covid-19 complaint behaviur,” reads part of the statement.

However, the Catholic Church expressed total compliance with the new curfew on the basis of being law abiding citizens.

“Since we are law abiding, we the Catholic Bishops instructed all the clergy, the Religious and the laity to suspend forthwith all public Church gatherings until further notice,” the statement also reads.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops have assured their congregation that they will continue engaging government so as to show their true role in preventing the further spread of Coronavirus.

The new government order calls for a K100 000.00 fine for a church minister if he happens to break the law while those failing to wear face masks when going out will be fined Mk10 000.00 or in default risk a three months jail term.

The Ministry of Health has so far released the following statistics in relation with the novel coronavirus pandemic.