Philadelphia: Catholic Church in Malawi supports families

Malawi’s Bishop Peter Martin Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese is in Philadelphia attending the World Meeting of Families. Bishop Musikuwa is at the meeting together with some Catholic couples who are delegates to the meeting. 

The Bishop told Vatican Radio’s Albert Mianzoukouta in the USA that his presence at the meeting, apart from attending as one of the delegates, is to accompany the married couples. He said the Church in Malawi feels strongly that it must stand by in solidarity and support families.

“The Church is behind families of Malawi. They are not alone in their struggles...as families and married couples. This is part of our pastoral ministry as a Church in Malawi,” Bishop Musikuwa said.

The Bishop outlined that families in Malawi, as elsewhere in the world, face serious challenges that affect their lives.

“Some of these challenges include a high divorce rate. Another challenge is that of early marriages.  Sometimes, young girls are married-off when they are just adolescents. Most times, this means dropping out of school.” He added, “Yet another challenge is that of HIV/AIDS. This disease continues to have a devastating effect on family life in Malawi,” the Bishop said.

The World Meeting of Families has opened today in Philadelphia, United States.  The almost one week gathering will run from 22 September to 27 September. Pope Francis is expected to celebrate the concluding Mass, on 27 September, for the more than 1 million delegates gathered in Philadelphia.

(By Sr. Gloria Yariok MSPP, Vatican Radio)

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