The Catholic Church in Malawi and the country at large stands to benefit from the just ended 11th Pan African Assembly in Lusaka, Zambia which attracted a cross section Catholic youths under the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS).
Malawi’s delegation to the assembly comprised of Cynthia Kamulete, Paul Mwale and Martin Njolomole.
Speaking in an interview with ECM Communications department upon his return from Zambia, Njolomole who is also the Pastoral Officer for ECM Pastoral Commission said the meeting was an eye opener to the Malawi delegation and that its crucial to the Catholic Church and Malawi country as a whole.
“We deliberated quite a number of issues that are crucial to our society. These issues ranges from Climate Change, Good Governance, Family and the New Evangelization, just to mention a few. I must admit here that if we can utilized and make used of what we have learnt in Lusaka, Malawi can change for the better,” said Njolomole
He said issues that were under discussion during the assembly could easily be dealt with by the youths hence the need for Catholic youths to join forces and address some of the challenges affecting Malawi as a Country.
Speaking to the Pan African International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS), the Secretary General for AMECEA Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo said, “Africa is blessed with a youthful population. Unfortunately these great majorities of the population are engaged in war and conflict”.
Fr. Lugonzo who is also Chaplain of International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) said that youth should deliberately seek peace which is the result of integral development by acting as responsible citizens. “While responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in political life is an obligation,” he added.
He said that there are three areas that IYCS must be presented in the society in order to promote full human development and pursue the common good. “These include dialogue with states, dialogue with society which includes cultures and sciences; and finally to dialogue with other believers,” he said.
“If we have to make an impact, we need to be well founded in our faith. Is IMCS providing a solid foundation to its members?” Fr. Lugonzo said adding that “This should lead the group to reflect on the kind of programmes which accompany their activities.”According to Ms. Catherine Wangui Njuguna, the Coordinator of Pan African Assembly of International Movement of Catholic Students, every four years, the IMCS Family in Africa holds its Pan.
The International Movement of Catholic Students was founded in 1921 in Fribourg,Switzerland and is recognised by the Holy See and likewise a member of the United Nations (ECOSOC-Category B).The movement is present in 90 countries in the world.