Malawi Church calls for peace following the July 20th demonstrations

(July 23, 2011) The Episcopal Conference of Malawi, an umbrella body for the eight Catholic Dioceses in Malawi, is deeply concerned with the turn of events surrounding the July 20th public demonstrations. What was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration regarding economic and governance issues has been marred by court injunctions, counter-meetings, violence, loss of lives and looting. It is in this context and in keeping with the command of Jesus, “Peace is what I leave you, it is my own peace that I give you, that we humbly call upon Demonstrators, all Catholics and all people of good will to immediately stop any form of violence and looting as these contravene the commandments of God and stand in the way of genuine peace and mutual respect befitting sons and daughters of God”, said the Bishops in a communiqué issued on Thursday . After other such exhortations they pray that the peace and calm that has been characteristic of Malawi as a nation will continue to prevail and that we all avail themselves, wholeheartedly, as instruments of the same peace.