Malawi's Bishops start solidarity visits to flood victims

The Catholic Bishops of Malawi say that starting tomorrow 10 March they will make solidarity visits to victims of the floods in various parts of Malawi. This was announced today 9 March by the Acting Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference (ECM) of Malawi, Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo.

Fr. Chimombo said the Bishops, led by the ECM Chairman, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa will first visit the district of Thyolo. Fr. Chimombo has also said that “During the visit, the Bishops are expected to present some of the relief items which were collected from all parishes and institutions in the country and by the Caritas family to cater for flood affected dioceses. Through its partners and the Church Structures, the ECM has managed to raise money, clothes, food and non-food items valued at MK1 billion just for short term sustenance of human life,” Fr. Chimombo said

Early this year, on 24 January 2015, following Malawian President Peter Mutharika's declaration of 15 districts in Malawi as flood disaster areas, Pope Francis through the office of Apostolic Nunciature in Malawi conveyed a message of solidarity to the people of Malawi. In his message of solidarity, the Pope assured Malawians of his blessings and prayers.

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Below is the full statement on the solidarity visits planned by the Bishops of Malawi.

SOLIDARITY VISITS TO FLOOD AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS BY MALAWI CATHOLIC BISHOPS

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi comprising the eight dioceses subdivided in the two ecclesiastical provinces of the Archdiocese of Blantyre and the Archdiocese of Lilongwe would like to inform the whole Catholic community and the nation at large, that Bishops have planned to visit flood affected victims to show solidarity and give a message of hope.

Guided by Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to those broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The Bishops, led by the ECM Chairman, His Grace Most Reverend Thomas Luke Msusa, are expected to visit people living in shelter camps around January Parish, STA Ngolongoliwa in Thyolo district. During the visit, the Bishops are expected to present some of the relief items which were collected from all parishes and institutions in the country and the Caritas family to cater for flood affected dioceses. Through its partners and the Church Structures, the ECM has managed to raise money, clothes, food and non-food items valued at MK1 billion just for short term sustenance of human life.

The event will take place on Tuesday, 10th March, 2015 from 10: 00 am to 12 noon.

After the launch, support from the Catholic Church will also go to flood affected communities in Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Phalombe and Ntcheu among other areas.

You are all invited to this function!

Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo
Acting Secretary General – Episcopal Conference of Malawi

8 March, 2015