Reported by Brenard Mwanza
MCHINJI, Malawi — The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has revealed plans to engage traditional leaders, Members of Parliament and other local authorities in each of its deaneries as part of efforts to address social challenges affecting communities.
Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa said the engagements will bring together local leaders to discuss issues including child marriages, teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, climate change and other social and developmental concerns.
“We need to have a common approach to issues affecting communities,” Bishop Mwakhwawa said.
He was speaking during a pastoral visit to Mchinji, where he attended the Mchinji Deanery Day celebration at St Mark Mkanda Parish on Saturday,15 August 2026, held in honour of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, patron of the deanery.
On Sunday, 16 August 2026, he presided over Mass at Queen of the Apostles Kamwendo Parish, where he conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 381 Christians.
Bishop Mwakhwawa said the planned meetings are based on the shared responsibility of the Church, traditional authorities and political leaders towards the communities they serve.
“As duty bearers in these communities, we are all taking care of the same people,” he said.
“The traditional leader is responsible for the same people, the Member of Parliament is responsible for the same people, and the Church is also serving those same communities.”
The Bishop said the engagement will cover issues affecting schools and health, as well as the spiritual, moral and social wellbeing of communities.
He also called for greater cooperation in mobilising resources, saying the Church and local authorities could approach development partners together and advocate for support.
“There is a lot that we can achieve together. In unity, there is strength. We need to collaborate and network so that we can truly transform people’s lives,” he said.
The planned engagement comes as Malawi continues to face high levels of teenage pregnancy, with Mchinji recording 4,100 cases in the first three months of 2026.
Bishop Mwakhwawa said the figures underline the need for families, traditional leaders, political leaders and the Church to work together.
He urged families to strengthen their prayer life and take greater responsibility for the protection and upbringing of children.
“Children should be encouraged to remain in school and to avoid behaviours that may compromise their future,” he said.
Rachel Mazombwe Zulu, Member of Parliament for Mchinji North, welcomed the Bishop’s message, saying the challenges facing children require a collective response from communities and their leaders.
She said the Church has an important role to play in guiding children spiritually, socially and physically, particularly in helping them understand the risks associated with early pregnancy and encouraging them to remain prayerful and focused on their education.
Meanwhile, Senior Chiefs Zulu, Simphasi and Mkanda, who met the Bishop during his visit, expressed optimism about the planned engagements, saying they are ready to participate and work together to find solutions to challenges affecting their communities and hindering development.
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