The Catholic bishops of Malawi have resolved to implement Pope Benedict XVI’s Exhortation Africae Munus on the second African Synod highlighting the role of women, the youth and the right to life as outlined in the document.

The bishops also made an appeal to authorities and the citizens of the country to engage in dialogue to solve the economic, political and social challenges facing the country and warned against resorting to violence.

This is according to a communiqué detailing the resolutions adopted by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi at the end of its first Annual Plenary Meeting which was held in Lilongwe from Jan. 24-27, 2012.

The bishops of Malawi called on the government, political parties, faith communities, civil societies, diplomats and all Malawians to handle the current situation “with sober minds, guided by the Spirit of truth and love that will lead different stakeholders to engage into a meaningful and listening dialogue thereby enabling all people to respect each other and uphold the rights of everybody, especially children and women.”

They further appeal to all the citizenry to refrain from any form of violence that would only result into the disruption of the much desired development and peace we cherish in this country.

The bishops resolved to prepare a comprehensive catechetical syllabus which should be ready before the ‘Year of Faith’ to be celebrated from 11th October this year.

Other areas discussed during the plenary include: preparations for the next Plenary Session of the regional bishops’ conference for Eastern Africa AMACEA to be held in Malawi; the issue of school fees in Catholic schools, and the need for a unified translated version of the newly introduced Roman Missal.