By Cathy Maulidi & Benard Mhone:
President Lazarus Chakwera has stressed the importance of embracing Jesus Christ and repenting from sins, particularly during this election year, when transgressions are prevalent.
Chakwera made these remarks during the Way of the Cross commemoration, which brought together various Christian churches at the Botanic Gardens in Lilongwe.
“During the election period, numerous sins are committed. We hear of gossip, abuses, envy, stealing, anger, swearing, and greed. People will spread negative rumours about one another. We will witness individuals committing various sins as if they will benefit from these wrongdoings,” he said.
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Chakwera urged Malawians to reconsider their planned actions during the election period “as such sins pose a threat to their path to salvation.
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“Let us engage in self-reflection. Let us always remember Jesus’ cross as we approach the elections.
“On our way to the polls, let us embrace Jesus’ cross and reject the evil cross marked by our sins. Let us repent at the foot of Jesus’ cross and not sin against one another,” he said.
He added that when people choose repentance and the way of the cross, God may favour them and cleanse their sins.
The Catholic Church also commemorated the suffering of Jesus.
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Parishioners from Maula Parish participated in the Way of the Cross, walking from their church along Chilambula Road and returning to the parish for prayers.
UTM president Dalitso Kabambe joined the Maula Parish’s Way of the Cross and described the event as significant.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ endured immense suffering when He died for us on the cross to ensure the forgiveness of our sins. As a Christian community, we must always remember this sacrifice, as He instructed us to do,” Kabambe said.
According to Kabambe, as a Christian himself, he was honoured to participate in the commemoration and join the Maula Parish members.
Fr. Louis Chikanya, the Parish Priest of Maula Cathedral, said that during this election period, Malawians must also pray to God to deliver them from their suffering.
“As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should take this opportunity to reflect on the upcoming general elections. All of us who will be voting this year have a duty to vote wisely. Let us learn from Jesus Christ, who calls us all to choose the light. Let us choose leaders who will be the light of this nation,” Chikanya advised.
Mary Chilima, the widow of the late Saulos Chilima, also remembered this day, recalling how her late husband commemorated it last year.
In Mzuzu, faith leaders cautioned politicians in the country to desist from giving handouts but rather focus on issue-based campaign as Malawi goes to polls on September 16, 2025.
Dean of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Samson Swira, said this during a joint Way of the Cross prayers by Catholic Church, Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran.
Swira said though the Malawi Electoral Commission is yet to launch period for political campaign, political parties are already holding rallies where the tendency of giving out handouts is common.
During the prayers, the faith leaders also prayed for peace and unity in the country.
Member of Parliament for Mzuzu City, Bennex Mwamlima who attended the prayers said peace and unity are drivers of development in the country.
Mwamlima urged politicians to refrain from hate speeches which fuels violence.
“Despite belonging to different political parties, we are all Malawians and we should love one another. As politicians we should focus on developing the country and improving people’s welfare,” Mwamlima said.
The Way of the Cross procession started at Chibavi Evangelical Church and via Chinese Garden to Katoto Evangelical Church where parishioners held prayers.
