SPEECH BY HE PETER MUTHARIKA WHEN HE MET THE VISIT HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP PAUL RICHARD GALLAGHER, SECRETARY FOR RELATIONS WITH THE STATES OF THE HOLY SEE

• Your Grace, Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with the States of the Holy See
• Your Grace, Julio Murat, Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia
• Your Grace, Thomas L. Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre and Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi – ECM
• Your Grace, Tarcisius G. Ziyaye, Archbishop of Lilongwe
• Your Lordship, Martin Mtumbuka, Bishop of Karonga and Vice Chairman ECM
• Msgr. Marco Formica, Secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia
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1. I am deeply thankful to the Holy See and the Roman Curia that Your Grace, Paul Gallagher, has been able to visit us. I welcome you to Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa.

2. Malawi has been diplomatic relations with the Holy See for 49 years. Your coming illustrates this special boding between us.

3. Malawi attained Independence from British colonialism in 1964 and embraced multi-party democracy in 1993. We are proud to be a democratic government committed to the freedom of mankind. I believe it is against the will of God that any government must keep humans in chains of any kind.

4. We are indeed proud that one of the pillars of our democracy is freedom of religion and worship.

5. In this country, Government fully enjoys a brotherly relationship with the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a long history of complementing Government in consolidating democracy and meeting the social needs of the people.

6. The Church often advises us in matters good governance. And they also provide affordable education and health services.

7. Through humanitarian and emergency relief aid, the Catholic Church has reached out to many poor Malawians affected by floods and drought. This year, we had the worst national tragedy in our history.

8. Your Grace, I have always believed that supporting the poor and the suffering of the earth is a common mission for both Church and State. I am pleased to note that the Catholic Church places human suffering as a priority concern in its mission to mankind. Given the plight of our people, I am proud to note that my Government has found a partner in your Church.

9. I also believe that social and economic development must be built on sound moral foundations. My Government therefore promotes the moral principles of patriotism, integrity and hard work in all citizens. We have dedicated these three to be the core values of our Malawian national character. I believe it is within the calling of the Church as the teacher of morality to support our national philosophy and building collective character.

10. Finally, let me take this occasion, through your office, to thank His Holiness Pope Francis for the cordial relationship between Malawi Government and the Holy See.

11. Your visit follows the one made by the then His Holiness John Paul II, now Saint John Paul II. That visit left a profound effect on our national history. And we have always looked forward to another visit of another Pope.

12. Through you, Your Grace, I wish to extend our invitation to His Holiness Pope Francis. We are aware that he will soon be visiting some African countries. But we also know that it is not possible to include us in this first visit. The request of the people of Malawi to the Holy Father is that he may consider visiting Malawi during his second trip to Africa.

13. With these remarks, Your Grace, Paul Richard Gallagher, you are most welcome to Malawi!