A CONFERENCE OF CANON LAWYERS IN MALAWI
In a bid to have a universal approach to the operations of Canonical tribunals and administration of justice in the various Archdioceses and dioceses of Malawi, Canon Lawyers have organised a three-day workshop at St. Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba to update themselves on various issues.
The conference is a follow up to another one which took place from 25-28 April this same year, 2022. In the previous meeting members shared experiences of their diocesan tribunal operations, successes and challenges and a constitution was drafted to direct the activities of the Association.
The present meeting is meant to officially launch the society and review the drafted constitution which will guide the members in their activities. The conference is facilitated by Stefan Mathias Mueckl a Canon Lawyer from the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome. The members will be briefed and enlightened on issues like: the brief process of marriage annulment according to modifications made by Pope Francis through the Motu Proprio Mitis iudex dominus iesus; brief process for the laicisation from priesthood; maladministration vis-à-vis Church patrimony in the light of Can. 1393 of the new penal law; management and process for child abuse cases as promulgated recently; tribunal operations and how to address and treat cases in the tribunals in the face of lack of personnel.
The conference has drawn canon lawyers from all the 8 Dioceses in Malawi and some members from the Catholic secretariat. It is believed that with this conference the Canonists will be helped to find ways on how better to administer justice but also to be well versed with the recent promulgation done in the Church. According to the patron of the society of Canon Lawyers in Malawi, His Lordship Adrian Peter Chifukwa, who himself is a Canonist, the Conference will enlighten canonists in matters that are important to the Christians. The members are will also be encouraged to attend robustly to other judicial matters that fall within their jurisdiction.
The canonists have thus far, been challenged to be dedicated to their work despite the many problems which they face stretching from lack of personnel, lack of finances and difficulties in investigating marriage cases.
The conference has been funded by the Church in Need from Germany.