Demetria Banda
This year’s CWO theme has challenged women to take Care for Christian Families especially those who are at various risks/threats following the example if Saint Joseph
The AGM was officially opened with a Holy mass on Thursday16 December 2021 at Bembeke Ground in Dedza where Right Rev. Adrian Chifukwa of Dedza Diocese presided over as the main celebrant along with Bishop Montfort Stima of Mangochi Diocese.
In his homily at the opening Mass, Bishop Chifukwa commended the CWO Malawi in all the eight dioceses for their unique contribution towards the growth of the Church and encouraged them to keep the good work despite meeting different challenges.
“Women are key players in the Church; whatever we want to achieve, women are key stakeholders as they are also bigger in population compared to men. If we look at families, the community and the country, women have a big role to play. The Church is doing very good because of the contribution by CWO. I encourage them to keep up. Since women are oppressed in various ways, this is an opportunity for them to see how they can overcome the challenge and take on a complex that can help them overcome it,” said Bishop Chifukwa
Bishop Chifukwa also encouraged women to consider Natural family planning methods and avoid giving birth to many children whom then cannot take good care of.
“Children need to be taken care of, don’t give birth to a child if you are not ready to take care of them. It feels sad to see children in the villages who are suffering because of poverty, so we should all bear children who we can afford to raise,” he added.
In line with the theme “Caring for Christian Families especially those who are at various risks/threats following the example if Saint Joseph,” Bishop Montfort Stima challenged the members of CWO to be genuine as Catholic faithful by living up to their calling as enshrined in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
“We should realize that the Sacrament of Matrimony is a gift from God. If you are called to married life, ensure that your lifestyle does not discourage others from getting married. I know that issues of male dominance, domestic violence and sexual abuse are no longer news in families, hence a need to unite and fight against it,” said Bishop Stima.
National Pastoral Coordinator, Fr Henry Chinkanda encouraged CWO to always do things together and participate in everything they do as Pope Francis instructed.
“Pope Francis is calling on each one of us to live in communion, to create space for everyone to participate and to be at the service of the mission of the Church,” he said.
Taking her turn, Madam Juliana Lunguzi who was Guest of Honor at the function said that women should be in the forefront in reporting any case of child abuse and gender-based violence.
“Child abuse is one of the dangers we are facing in our families, so women should speak out whenever they see violence of any form. Don’t say because this one is a bread winner I can’t report her, no. Speak out! I have noted that may children and women are suffering in silence,” said Lunguzi.
The National Chairlady for CWO, Lucy Vokhiwa told the Catholic women to be exemplary in whatever they do by, among others, making good use of social media.
“Let’s make sure that our actions persuade other people to join us. CWO members need to use the social media properly. The platform should be an instrument to bring salvation to people and not tempting them to sin against the will of God,” said Vokhiwa.
She also pleaded to all Catholic women to plant trees in their respective dioceses during this year’s rainy season.
“It is very important for a Catholic woman to take a lead in conserving the environment. As we are all aware ,when God created the world, he gave a man the responsibility to look after all creation which includes vegetation, so as catholic women it’s our role to bring back the glory of God by taking care of the environment,” added Vokhiwa.
During their five days meeting which is expected to end on Sunday, delegates will have study sessions and discuss annual reports from each Diocese.