The Church and the power play in Malawi

Criticizing the church is a rarity in Malawi. And if one calls out faith leaders or the church in general, everyone gets awestruck at their courage to do such a thing. In short, it's off the limits.

The reverence we put in our faith leaders is so esteem, sometimes more than in God Himself. You may find this hyperbolic but just look around.

Of course, that's not wrong because both the Bible and the Quran teach the faithful to honor religious figures.

Our nation's history, particularly the struggle for democracy, is incorrect without mentioning the church.

In 1992, the Catholic bishops issued a Pastoral Letter that incited Malawians to hunger for democracy leading to the 1993 Referendum.

Later in 1994, Malawi reverted to multiparty democracy, 31 years after Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda dissolved other political parties and made himself the Life President.

Henceforth, the church has been the defender of the people, holding to account successive governments although such a noble task has at times been webbed in controversy.

The question of whether the church interferes in politics has divided opinion, with some saying the church should confine its influence within the walls of their cathedrals or mosques.

Others on the other hand, say the church still has a say in matters concerning our statehood. 

What's clear, therefore, is that the church is the light and salt of the world, meaning its sacred role is to midwife our democracy.

Now, let's be candid. The church sometimes oversteps its midwifery role. It becomes like a doctor, prescribing medicine to the sick patient.

Malawi's constitution provides for the separation of the church (religion) and the state (politics).

But this separation line is often blurred by greed by both parties. 

There are possibly two reasons this is such a case.

One, for politicians; is for survival because they cultivate an image that they're a devout Christian or Muslim.

Two, a bond with the state by some religious bodies or leaders comes with privileges such as serving as presidential advisors or board members in statutory bodies, among others.

But this cozy relationship sometimes goes nuts, they start calling each other out and it gets nasty.

Even before they came to power in 2020, President Lazarus Chakwera and fallen vice president Saulos Chilima, displayed their attraction to the church.

Chilima is on record saying if it weren't for some religious leaders, the Tonse Alliance would be a pipe dream.

No wonder, the church was soft on the current administration within its infancy years. But midway, events took a turn.

Today, Chakwera's administration has become unpopular among citizens. Its policies are viewed as unfavorable to the masses. Parliament, CSOs and the opposition have failed to check the executive.

So, a gaping vacuum has been created, which the church has stepped in to fill by being critical against the state.

Catholics bishops earlier in 2024 issued a scathing Pastoral Letter. So did the CCAP Nkhoma Synod and other religious bodies.

There was nothing wrong here. But we must question the motive behind the outbursts. Was it for the good of the people or something else we can only speculate? 

However, the church's direct involvement in the power matrix is what puts a voter in the tight corner as elections draw closer.

Some presidential hopefuls are now welcomed in churches, and possibly they might get subliminal endorsements.

What some Blantyre Synod preachers did today by conducting prayers at former president Peter Mutharika house in Mangochi, shouldn't come as a surprise.  It's a political maneuver.  

But such moves disadvantage their faithful when such faith leaders fall out with the state.

It makes us Malawians entangled in a crossfire we don't know. 

The deals that these politicians and faith leaders allegedly cut aren't known to us, the voters and the faithful.

It's time the church and the state (politicians) view their relationship as partners in development and not kingmakers or cronies. 

Greedy church leaders should draw their faithful in their shenanigans. If they want politics, they better leave the church and start politicking.