Rev. Prof. Billy Gama has retained chairmanship of the Executive Board of the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC), pledging some constructive reforms and speaking truth to power.
During Malawi’s oldest and most respected religious umbrella body’s Annual General Meeting at the Msamba Catholic Centre in Lilongwe, Rev Gama beat four other contestants by amassing 29 votes out of 54, stating that MCC is geared to engage the presidency soonest to highlight issues dear to Malawians hearts.
“As church leadership we should appreciate and celebrate with government on it’s positive strides, and also bear the voice of the voiceless when concerned about the peoples plight. As MCC, we are restructuring within our policy, programmatically, and diplomatically. We are extending ourselves and including ties with colleagues in neighboring countries such as Zambia, learning from counterparts in Nigeria, and also embracing constructive change in the footsteps of the World Council of Churches (WCC), our global mentor,” he told the delegates, which included the deputy Advisor on Religious Affairs to the President, Reverend Alexander Kambiri. He was the guest of honour.
Rev. Gama, of the Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbytery (CCAP), is now deputised by Rev. Major Edith Kandoje of The Salvation Army. She has been elevated from being an executive board member in a team of nine governors.
The new MCC Trustees Board chairperson is now Rev. Dr. Michael Phiri taking over from Mrs. Elizabeth Bai Chirwa. Rev Dr. Phiri was an executive board member and is deputised by Rev. A. Nyasulu, a newcomer to the top MCC leadership.
Retained board members include Rev. Lackwell Mtima, Mrs. Elizabeth Bai Chirwa, and Rev. Byson Phiri.
The executive board has four women.
Rev. Kambiri extended a welcome to the new boards to meet the president, Prof Peter Mutharika as soon as he returns from a trip abroad.
“We pursue an open door policy and are committed to support the church through the MCC. We recognize the good work you do in many aspects and appreciate your continued constructive engagement with the leadership. As Malawi’s key religious body, as government we are proud to be associated with your work, advice and goodwill,” he said.
Amongst the delegates were recent former chief advisor to the president Rev. Brian Kamwendo of the Nkhoma Synod of the CCAP, who served under former president Rev. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Newly coopted member church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, has also found a seat on the Executive Board through Father Makarios.
The AGM attracted two members from each of the 28 member churches, and over eight para-church affiliates including Abundant Life Centre, Churches Action in Relief and Development (Card), Malawi Interfaith Association for Action (MIAA) formerly the Malawi Interfaith Aids Association, Bible Society of Malawi, African Bible College (ABC), Claim Mabuku, ShareWord Global, World Women Day of Prayer (WWDP), MCC Women Association, among others, who shared a word of solidarity.
For the fourth time in MCC electoral history, the elections were managed by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), a governance affiliate of the MCC created with the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCC) formerly known as the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).
