Politicians, Christians in Way of the Cross

 Christians across the nation on Friday joined the rest of the world in reenacting the Way of the Cross, a procession of the suffering that Jesus Christ—whom many regard as their Savior—went through some 2 000 years ago.

Many of them, particularly Roman Catholics and Anglicans, could be seen in the country’s major cities and towns undertaking the procession, whose key moment was Jesus’ crucifixion on Golgotha.

However, yesterday politicians, especially presidential aspirants, put aside their busy May 21 Tripartite Elections campaign schedules to participate in Good Friday prayers.

Although the President, Peter Mutharika did not take part in traditional procession, opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate Lazarus Chakwera joined Christians from Mtima Oyera Catholic Parish in Lilongwe where he symbolically carried the heavy wooden cross to experience what Jesus Christ went through before his crucifixion

UTM torch-bearer, who is also the country’s Vice-President, Saulos Chilima, participated in a procession which was jointly organised by St Patrick’s Catholic Church, St Thomas Anglican Church and St Ignatius Catholic Church in Lilongwe.

The procession started at St Thomas Anglican Church in Area 18 connecting through the M1 Road to St Ignatius Catholic Church in Area 30.

But in a change of what has been perceived as a norm for at least the past three years, Chilima—a staunch Catholic—did not carry the cross this year. He instead led in reading the station prayers at the 14th Station.

The 14 devotions or stations focus on specific events of Christ’s last day, beginning with His condemnation. At each station the Christians recalled and meditated on a specific event from Christ’s last day, citing specific prayers.

In Blantyre, Bishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Malawi Bishop Alinafe Kalemba in his sermon called on Malawians to vote for people who will bring the much-needed change to the country on May 21.

He advised politicians not to vie for positions for money but to serve the people .

“The Way of the Cross teaches us that Jesus had to die on the cross for our salvation and we need to give ourselves to serve others.

“So when politicians vie for positions should aim at serving the people. Don’t vie positions for money, and don’t encourage violence,” said Kalemba.

Bishop of Archdiocese of Blantyre of the Catholic Church Luke Thomas Msusa led the procession from Chichiri to Limbe Cathedral. n