Former presidential aide for religious affairs, Rev. Billy Gama, who is also current General Secretary for the Blantyre Synod of the Central African Presbyterian Church (CCAP), has been voted as the new Chairperson of the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC).
Rev. Gama replaces Bishop Dr. Fanuel Magangani or the Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi, after a period of three years.
The Board of Trustees also now have a new Chairperson, Mrs. Elizabeth Bai from the Anglican Diocese of Lake Malawi. She replaces Rev. Vasco Kachipapa of the Nkhoma Synod of the CCAP.
Speaking during his acceptance speech, Rev. Gama said he and his team will focus and rebuilding on a vision to get MCC t greater heights.
“Under four months we intend as a Board to provide a new vision of where were want to be on the near future. Coming from an Intensive Care Unit as an organisation that has lately struggled to be above the water, we are committed to continuing with the efforts of the previous Board, which dedicated it’s time and even church and personal resources to rebuild a visibility and vibrant MCC,” he said.
Bishop Dr. Magangani challenged the in-coming to team be selfless and as ecumenical Board think beyond denominations.
“When you go out there and speak and represent the Member Churches, you shall be doing so as the MCC and not as Blantyre Synod. MCC is one that exists on the celebration of uniqueness and diversity as created and celebrated by God himself. At the same time God gave us that unity in our diversity.
Both unity and diversity should be enjoyed by all so that we promote the lives of all people of Malawi, our churches, and especially the vulnerable,” he asserted.
MCC which has 25 member churches spread across the country, will have both the new Executive and Trustee Boards for the next three years.
Last year in October, the Council also confirmed a new General Secretary, Reg. Alemekezeke Chikondi Phiri who replaced Bishop Dr. Gilford Matonga after his successful two terms.
Bishop Dr. Matonga picked up the Council at the deep of it’s challenges, rejuvenating the ecumenical body back into one that repossed it’s important role of being the most recognized and respected locally and internationally by governments, donors and development partners, and other faith based and civil society organisaions.
The elections took place on the opportune convening of leadership or MCC Member Churches to a two days Seminar on the church’s role in fighting violence against vulnerable groups such as people with albinism, widows and orphans, the elderly who are accused and even killed for witchcraft allegations, and other minorities based on orientation, culture, religion and upholding in society.
MCC is oldest religious umbrella body in the country, created before Malawi attained its republic status and independence.
