By Vincent Gunde

The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has called upon citizens, especially in poor countries such as Malawi, to elect leaders considering their ability and capability to make a difference and add value to the society.

The Bishops say the Jubilee Year of Hope and the Easter Mystery of the Risen Christ is reminding Malawians that no obstacle is too great for God to remove and as a nation, they must trust in God and work together to roll away the stones of poverty, corruption, and division.

The say by electing capable leaders and taking responsibility of their actions, they can build a brighter future for Malawi trusting the nation and the upcoming elections to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace.

Writing in a Pastoral Letter-Lent 2025, the Catholic Bishops have called on Malawians to elect into political leadership positions only accountable politicians –those without corruption background and not those pulling trailers full of corrupt practices.

The Catholic Bishops say a good political leader should, among others, have virtues such as discipline, trustworthiness, courage, humaneness and intelligence urging Malawians to guard against being deceived by actors who pretend to fear God in public, while in private or once elected into leadership positions, connive with thieves to steal national resources.

In the Pastoral Letter, the Bishops say corruption has spread to all aspects of the society observing that the most devastating corruption is by politicians ruling the country under various regimes as well as civil servants who not only facilitate such corruption but also do their own thieving.

The Bishops say some politicians amass immense wealth within months of taking office, while long-serving civil servants struggle to build modest homes noting with a great concern that some of the country’s political leaders see their role less as service to the nation.

“We are not a serious nation, some of our politicians have a casual approach to leadership, the common excuse they give is blaming the previous regimes,” reads the Pastoral Letter in part.

The Catholic Bishops say in this Jubilee Year of Hope, Malawians must be reminded that God is the ultimate source of renewal and transformation saying the task of addressing these challenges cannot be left to the Government alone saying every Malawian has a role to play in rolling away the stones that hinder the nation’s progress