Catholic Bishops in Malawi to Deliberate on Breakdown of Marriages in Ongoing Plenary

Blantyre, 29 January, 2025 / 8:05 PM

On the list of issues that Catholic Bishops taking part in the Plenary Assembly of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) are deliberating upon, is the worrying trend of breakdown of marriages in the southern African country.

In a press release that ACI Africa obtained Tuesday, January 29, the Secretary General of ECM, Fr. Valeriano Mtseka, said, “The meeting will, among other things, reflect on marriage breakdowns.”

Recent reports indicate a significant increase in divorce rates in Malawi, raising concern among religious leaders about the future of the family in the country. Equally worried are family advocates as, despite the country's strong family values, more couples are reportedly seeking separation.

A September 2023 study on divorce and remarriage in rural Malawi indicates that while marriage is nearly universal in the country, marital instability and high turnover remain significant challenges.

Studies show that 28 to 49 percent of marriages in Malawi end in divorce before the 20th anniversary. This persistent trend, according to research, highlights the vulnerability of marriages, particularly in matrilineal regions of southern Malawi, where historical patterns of marital instability have been observed.

During the five-day Plenary Assembly that kicked off on Monday, January 27, ECM members are also weighing in on the progress of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) and the country’s present social and political situation.

They are also to reflect on the country’s upcoming Eucharistic Congress, Fr. Mtseka says in the statement dated January 27.

Reports are also expected from the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA), representatives of Catholic religious men and women and diocesan Priests in Malawi, Catholic Secretariat’s Directorates of Finance, pastoral, and social development.

During the meeting scheduled to end Friday, January 31, ECM members are also to discuss financial planning and resource mobilization in the Catholic Church in Malawi, matters pertaining to priestly formation in the Seminaries and endorse the National Charter for Catechists.

According to the press release, the Bishops will also have a chance to interact with the Archbishop of the  Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo.

“The Conference is asking the Catholic family and people of goodwill to pray for the success of this plenary,” Fr. Mtseka said in the press release that ACI Africa obtained January 29.