Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda drew murmurs of disapproval from sections of the congregation after using a church gathering to highlight hardships experienced under former president Lazarus Chakwera’s administration.
Addressing thousands of worshippers during the CCAP Blantyre Synod’s 150th anniversary thanksgiving service at the Henry Henderson School of Excellence in Blantyre, Chaponda cited fuel shortages and other economic challenges that affected Malawians in recent years.
Seeking to reassure the congregation, the minister insisted the fuel crisis would soon be over.
“The President is assuring you that fuel shortages will soon be a thing of the past. The Minister of Energy has assured the nation that in two days’ time there will be no fuel problems,” he said.
In a speech that blended politics, economics and church history, Chaponda said the government was aware of the difficulties facing Malawians and called on the church to pray for national recovery.
He also urged religious leaders to go beyond criticising social and economic challenges through pastoral letters and instead help offer practical solutions.
Earlier in his address, Chaponda compared the persecution endured by some CCAP Blantyre Synod leaders during Malawi’s one-party era to the suffering experienced by the early Christian church.
He cited clerics including Reverend Jonathan Sangaya and Very Reverend Professor Silas Ncozana, describing their experiences during the MCP administration between 1964 and 1994 as an important part of the church’s history.
“This we must forget but not forgive because they form part of the church history,” he said.
Chaponda further challenged the church to lead by example, saying Christian love should be demonstrated first by religious leaders before being expected from congregants.
“This love should start from the men of God to the people and not vice-versa,” he said.
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