BY MANDY PONDANI:
President Peter Mutharika on Sunday advised Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) not to act as an opposition party but help him build the nation.
Livingstonia Synod is one of Mutharika’s fierce critics who accuse him of widespread corruption and nepotism.
“Let’s build the nation together,you are not in opposition. You and us should work together, not fighting and castigating each other,” Mutharika said at Katawa CCAP church where he attended a church service.
President Mutharika is on a two-week official visit to the northern region where among other activities is expected to officially open the Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay
“Avoid tying yourself to political parties or supporting political candidates,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika said partisan politics should have no place in the church especially now when the country gears for the 2019 tripartite elections.
Government according to him is not in a tag of war with the church which he said sometimes conducts itself as though it is in opposition.
“When we are wrong tell us but in a respectful manner, we will do the same when you make some mistakes…,” Mutharika added.
Conspicuously missing during the service was General Secretary for the Synod Reverend Levi Nyondo, a well-known critic of the Mutharika administration.
Taking his turn synod moderator John Gondwe reiterated Mutharika’s sentiments saying the roles of the state and the church are complementary to each other.
He then cautioned ministers and members against using the synod structures to practice partisan politics.
“The Livingstonia synod does not believe in partisan politics while its members are free to join and support parties of their liking,” Gondwe said.
“Whenever there are issues we encourage use of proper channels established by government and the church in order to iron out misunderstandings,” he added.
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