As debate continues in the country on same sex marriages following the arrest of two men in the capital Lilongwe, the Catholic church in the country has maintained its stand that homosexuality is a sin and is not supposed to be tolerated.

The church stand comes barely days after the Malawi government through Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu dropped criminal charges against two gay men, Cuthbert Kulemeka and Kelvin Gonani.

Speaking on Monday during the official opening of catholic women organisation conference at Karonga Diocese, Bishop Mathews Mtumbuka said the practice is sinful and urged those people practicing it to repent for their evil act.

Bishop Mtumbuka said the Bible condemnation of homosexuality is as clear and plain as the Bible’s condemnation of murder, adultery, premarital sex, kidnapping, lying and idolatry.

He said marriage is between one man and one woman for life and sexual activity should be confined to marriage.

Meanwhile Malawians have trashed donor community stand on the issue, saying Malawians are not gay.