Resolutions from the second Annual Plenary Meeting of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi, the umbrella body of the Catholic Bishops in Malawi, held its second Annual Plenary Meeting from Tuesday, 22nd May, to Friday, 25th May, 2012.
This meeting, held at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe and attended by all the Catholic Bishops in Malawi and the Vatican Chargé d’Affaires for Malawi, Very Reverend Monsignor Hubertus Van Megen, among other things, agreed upon the following:
- As part of the initial preparations for the AMECEA Plenary Session scheduled to take place in Malawi in 2014, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi as a hosting body, has suggested and resolved the following:
- July 19 to 31, 2014 as tentative dates for the plenary session
- The establishment of a main steering committee to look into the logistics of the event such as publicity, fundraising, possible venue, etc.
- In an effort to disseminate and actualise the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI On the Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace, the Conference has mandated the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace to spearhead efforts to understand the document using Church structures in Malawi
- Considering the fact that priestly formation is a core activity of the Church, the Conference has among many issues resolved to continue supporting the Seminaries financially
- Considering that many people are seeking the Church’s guidance on the new phenomena of lotteries in Malawi, the Conference has made the following clarification:
- Catholics are free to participate in lotteries provided such a decision does not adversely affect other weightier responsibilities and there are sufficient indications that the accrued lottery money goes to good causes;
- Church administrative and worship structures should not be involved in the actual running and administration of such endeavours.
- The Conference has endorsed two important documents, namely; ECM Child Protection Guidelines and ECM Strategic Framework and these are awaiting the official launching.
- After an appraisal of the present social and political climate in the country, the Conference resolved to continue remaining vigilant and non-partisan and offer guidance regarding some current moral issues.
Fr. George Buleya
Secretary General – Episcopal Conference of Malawi
Date: 31st May, 2012
