By Burnett Munthali
Dickson Kashoti, a known propagandist for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has stirred public discourse with claims that Catholic bishops in Malawi have distanced themselves from remarks made by Archbishop Luke Msusa regarding the tragic plane crash that killed Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others.
In his statement, which surfaced on social media on Boxing Day, Kashoti alleges that the bishops criticized Archbishop Msusa for making “wild but empty rhetoric political allegations” without consulting them. According to Kashoti, the bishops believe Msusa’s comments were influenced by an opposition politician with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and his administration.
Kashoti further asserts that the bishops emphasized their usual practice of issuing joint press statements, signed by all members, when addressing critical national issues. He claims the bishops urged Malawians to dismiss Msusa’s statements as personal opinions rather than official church positions.
The archbishop’s controversial remarks, allegedly linking the plane crash to political motives, have sparked intense reactions from both religious and political circles. Kashoti’s claims, however, raise questions about the unity within the Catholic Church and the politicization of faith-based institutions.
Kashoti ended his statement by declaring that “Archbishop Msusa is finished,” a remark that has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters for its disrespectful tone towards a religious leader.
As this narrative unfolds, questions remain about the accuracy of Kashoti’s claims and their potential impact on Malawi’s socio-political climate. The Catholic Church is yet to release an official statement clarifying its position on Archbishop Msusa’s remarks.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between religion and politics in Malawi and the broader implications for unity and peace in the country.
