By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, 19 August, Mana:  Vice president Dr. Saulos Chilima has hailed various roles the church plays in the national development of this country.

Chilima made the remarks on Saturday during the launch of a yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of Small Christian Community (SCC) / (Limana or Mphakati) in the Catholic Church at Saint Peter Clever of Nsipe Catholic Parish in Ntcheu district.

"As a government we appreciate the partnership that we have with the Church in serving the people if Malawi. We will also constantly rely on the Church to pray for us so that we must always put the welfare of the people first as we serve our positions," said Chilima and pleaded that the relationship between government and religious institutions in the country continue to coexist for continued development. 

The Vice President highlighted that SCC plays a crucial role in evangelism such as teaching the word of God, helping people to practice Bible study and encourage people to receive the sacraments of the Catholic faith.

SCC are small units of families that come together to share the word of God weekly, sitting in a circular form, guided by the seven steps of gospel sharing. 

Archbishop of Archdiocese of Lilongwe George Desmond Tambala urged all Christians to dedicate their lives to God all the time.

He then commended the Vice President for his continued support and dedication of his faith.

Bishop Rogath Kimaryo, Bishop Chairperson of the AMACEA Pastoral Department said the Pastoral department will be spearheading the yearlong celebrations in the region.

He commended the theme of the Golden Jubilee which is " Small Christian Community, 50 years of building the church as a family of God in AMECEA Region” not only as a theme but as a MOTO for the celebrations aswell.

Chairperson for the National Laity Council Virginia Mahata said it was in 1973 in Nairobi, Kenya when Bishops from the AMACEA region resolved to adopt the small Christian community as a new way of building the church.

"This meant SCC to be part and parcel of the christian structure in the AMACEA countries which includes; Malawi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

She advised communities not to take SCC as a fundraising tool but a place for prayers.

Andrew Misomali from Saint Peter Claver Mphakatj commended Dedza Diocese for the Golden Jubilee celebrations which he said had empowered not only his Limana but all Limana's in the country.

"Limana is a root for the church and plays a crucial role in Christians lives including when people are planning to have a church marriage, children baptism and many other issues, " said Misomali.

Nsipe parish has 16 Limanas and the Celebration on Saturday involved all the nine Countries in AMACEA region of Africa.