Church in the World

Church threatened for opposing President

Africa

The recent arrest of a priest and intimidation of others in Malawi suggest that the Catholic Church there is being targeted by the government for criticising a potential return to dictatorship, a church official has said. ?This is all in reaction to the Church?s outspokenness in opposing President Bakili Muluzi?s bid to stand for a third term in 2004?, said Fr George Tambala, a Discalced Carmelite who teaches at the seminary in Kasungu, Lilongwe diocese. One priest, Fr Augustine Matola, was held for 13 hours on 15 June in Kasungu for trying to photocopy press releases by Churches and civil society groups about the presidential bid for a third term, Ellen Teague writes.

Plans by the Muluzi Government to end the limits on presidential terms have met overwhelming protest from local human rights groups, churches and Western donors. Last weekend, tensions were high between the Christian Churches and the authorities after police banned a series of Christian processions in the main cities of the country. A police spokesman said the decision was taken for security reasons and over concerns that the processions could turn into protest marches. At the beginning of June, the Peace and Justice Commission of the Catholic Church issued a firm and explicit statement entitled ?Absolutely No to a third term!? Around the same time, members of Parliament discussed the Church?s involvement, with some accusing it of interference and others applauding it for nurturing democracy. Malawi?s seven Catholic bishops criticised the government in March for corruption and its handling of the food supply, in a country where millions are facing starvation. They have considerable influence, since Malawi?s three million Catholics are the largest Christian group in the country.