The Archdiocese of Lilongwe in conjunction with different religious groups in Lilongwe has on 13th July 2023 protested peacefully against the homosexuality.
The demos which were organised countrywide have an aim of defending Marriage, Family and Human Sexuality in the country in the background of natural law as well as Malawian culture.
Archbishop George Desmond Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe said that they have delivered the petition to the parliament to alert them on the laws of Human Sexuality and also to send message to all donors to not change the laws of the country as it does not reflect a true culture and beliefs of Malawi.
“We are very concerned that if we allow the law on marriage to change, we are going to destroy the family. We are also going to affect the education of our children. There is also a message which we have delivered to our donor partners that in as much as they help us, they should remember that we are a sovereign state and to be respected. We shouldn’t be given a condition in order to receive aid,” Archbishop George Tambala expressed.
In the Petition, the leaders of different religious groups have asked the parliament and government of Malawi to do a Referendum if people want to have the homosexual act in the country.
“All Malawians should be consulted on this particular law”, His Grace Tambala concluded.
The groups expressed their dismay towards the call from some quarters to legalise same sex relations, saying this will greatly impact on family.
Chairperson of Legal Affairs Committee of the Malawi Parliament, Yusuf Nthenda received the petition which was presented by His Grace George Desmond Tambala and other religious group leaders.
At the Parliament, the minister of information, Moses Kumkuyu commended the move which the religious groups have shown in presenting the petition to the parliament as it is a constitutionally recognized channel.
Kumkuyu assured the gathering and the members of various faith groups that the petition will be taken through proper channels to be discussed at the parliament.
“As government we believe in rule of law… The Parliamentarians are going to look at it when it comes to their attention”, Kumkuyu assured the citizenry.
On his part, the president of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Enock Chihana commended the move which the religious leaders have taken in the country to defend the family.
Chihana said that it is time for Parliamentarians to act for what people are telling them to do as the petition is not asking them to do a favor.
The demonstrations were organised by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), Qadria Muslim Association of Malawi (QMAM) and Malawi Council of Churches (MCC).