Catholic Bishop Suggests Debt Restructuring to Address Malawi’s Economic Hardships

The Malawian Catholic Bishop who is the Board Chairperson of MEJN, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dedicated to promoting good economic governance in Malawi shared the concerns of the faith community on the implications of the hard economic situation to the people if not addressed.

“If the level of anger that is out there is not attended to, it will lead to civil disorder in this country and as a faith community, we don’t want it to happen that way,” the Local Ordinary of Karonga Diocese who also serves as the chairperson of the Pastoral Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) said.

In his address on the last day of the two-day conference that started Tuesday, July 25, Bishop Mtumbuka challenged the Malawian government to check on some aspects of its expenditure that may be contributing to the country’s economic crisis.

He urged the government to improve on the methods of tax collecting which he lamented that are only focused on those below the economic ladder as they struggle to make a living in their small businesses.

the Local Ordinary of Karonga Diocese who will turn 66 on August 5 called on the Malawian government to intensify the fight against corruption which he described as a contributor to the country’s economy hardships, and added, “The executive (arm of the government) must also have clear direction of the country, especially on how to get out her debt.”

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“We have employed one person who is the president and he must do his job, he is not in the state house as a volunteer, he must do his job,” Bishop Mtumbuka said at the event that was attended by some representatives of Malawi’s civil society organizations.

Calling on the legislature to scrutinize the country’s debts, the Catholic Bishop underlined the need for sensitivity in decision-making and how the decisions affect the poor.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world with over half of its population (50.7 percent) living below the poverty line, the new World Bank Poverty Assessment Report released in November last year indicates.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.