Priest rues lack of servant leadership

Catholic priest Father Peter Mwanya has rued lack of servant leadership among Malawians, saying the country cannot realise its social and economic aspirations without leaders who commit themselves to serve rather than assuming titles of ‘bosses’.

Mwanya noted that some of the social and economic hurdles Malawi faces today could not have been there had people entrusted with leadership accepted to be servants rather than bosses ‘who always serve to satisfy their selfish egos’.

The priest made the remarks during mass he said last Sunday at St Anthony Catholic Church in Blantyre.

Mwanya, who read from Mark 9: 30-37, said a society where people are always arguing over leadership is bound to fall.

Said Mwanya: “A president, ministers or members of Parliament (MPs) who choose to lead rather than serve cannot develop a country. Until those we entrust with responsibility to lead choose to serve, this country won’t realise its social and economic aspirations.”

He noted that Malawi is today reeling from effects of theft of public resources—popularly known as Cashgate—because the people who were entrusted with leadership and responsibilities chose to serve their interests.

“They knew the more wealth they acquired, the more they could lord over those they were called to serve.

“But I desire that there should be no one among you longing for wealth that will make you bosses over others. Rather, I pray that you should all desire to serve,” he said. n