Missionary Trip to MALAWI—Reported by Emil Hagamu, July 12 – 18, 2010

This past June, I traveled to Malawi to assess the performance of HLI Pro-Life Malawi, which is now under the direction of Mr. Joseph Chikuni, who took over from the late Harris Kachaso. More specifically, I wanted to visit recently formed local pro-life groups, as well as the Pro-Life Malawi central office, so that I could evaluate the impact of their pro-life programs on the people of Malawi and determine the effectiveness of their leadership.

On the evening of my arrival, I met the leaders of Pro-Life Malawi: Mr. Joseph Chikuni, Director, Fr. Alpheus Zikomankhani, Chairman of the Board, and Madam Irene Sinyeka, Secretary of the Board. Our discussions were very fruitful, and we were able to address issues that should make spreading the Gospel of Life there even more effective.

Meeting the People of Malawi

I was given an opportunity to introduce myself to the people of Malawi during a Mass one morning. I talked about the mission of HLI in the world and the threat of abortion. I also explained how abortion is promoted by the deceptive “Women’s Rights” document, the Maputo Protocol, which was recently ratified by the African Union. Finally, I spoke about the need to defend human life from fertilization until natural death. At the end of my talk, the faithful in the congregation broke into a loud applause to show their support for our pro-life efforts and message.

After Mass, one of the attendees, Hon. Lingson K.W. Belekanyama, a member of Parliament for Lilongwe Msinja South in the Malawi National Assembly, met me in the priests’ sitting room. He said he was impressed with what I had to say and spoke of his support for the pro-life mission. We talked at length about various pro-life issues in Malawi and of the anti-life culture that is strongly infiltrating his society. I explained to him the situation of abortion in the world, and in Africa in particular, discussing the dangers of the Maputo Protocol and the current massive anti-life programs in Malawi. He was shocked to learn that, although Malawi was not represented in the Health Ministers Meeting in Maputo, the Malawi National Assembly had ratified it and the president acceded to it. In fact, many protocols, he told me, are ratified by the Secretariat without the knowledge of parliamentarians. He promised to research the Maputo Protocol and work with other members to vote against it if it is mentioned again in the National Assembly.

Evangelizing with the Gospel of Life

Emil Hagamu with the leader of Salima’s pro-life group and Fr. Alpheus Zikomankhani.

Fr. Zikomankhani and I had the opportunity to travel to Salima to meet the local parish pro-life group. The group’s chairman, Mr. Alumakyo Mwasiya, told us the group has 25 active members, all of whom are working hard to promote the culture of life within their respective regions. Also, the parish priest, who acts as group advisor, told us how he incorporates pro-life topics into his pastoral ministry. After meeting with and encouraging these pro-lifers, we visited Lake Malawi shore, where we were able to talk to more locals – including even the staff at our hotel – about pro-life issues.

Fr. Zikomankhani and I appeared on a program with Radio Alinafe, during which we discussed pro-life ministry. Radio Alinafe is owned and run by the Diocese of Lilongwe. I presented the international perspective of the pro-life movement, and Fr. Zikomankhani presented on the pro-life movement in Malawi. The moderator was so impressed that he promised he would create a weekly pro-life program! We were further gratified that people who were able to hear our message made phone calls to congratulate us and our mission.

Finally, we traveled to Fr. Zikomankhani’s former parish in Madisi to meet the pro-life group there and speak on the various anti-life activities

A pro-life briefing with Fr. Zikomankhani at Madisi parish, Malawi.

occurring in Malawi today. In my presentation, I explained how population control organizations have targeted Malawi, namely through their promotion of abortifacients, sterilization and abortion. I also explained to them how the local Banja la Nsogholo [Future Family] Marie Stopes clinic is working in collaboration with IPPF. The pro-lifers in Madisi have been meeting together regularly to share their experiences and to strategize on how to strengthen their group. Praise God, they have successfully recruited members from several different regions, like Ngoko, Nkamanga and St. Augustine.

On my last day in Malawi, Mr. Chikuni invited me to visit a sick friend, who is a fellow pro-life fighter. I was able to share with him the hope that we have in the pro-life movement today. Whether in a sick bed, in a church on one’s knees, or on the front lines, every one of us can unite our sufferings to Jesus and pray and work for the coming of His Kingdom and His victory over the culture of death.

Emil meets with a pro-life group at Madisi Hospital in Malawi.

Population Control Propaganda

Like all African countries, Malawi is enduring menacing pressure from population control promoters. During my stay in the Diocese of Lilongwe, I witnessed intensive population control propaganda through radio and television. The campaign for a two-child family policy is very strong. The Banja la Msogholo Marie Stopes clinic looked quiet at the time that I visited it, but we all know these clinics are busy killing unborn Malawian babies, though the public eye cannot detect it and the government does not hold them accountable for it. Population control groups are effectively destroying Malawian culture by infesting it with their anti-life thinking and behavior.

The Future of HLI Pro-Life Malawi

Emil with some of the Pro-Life Malawi board members.

HLI Pro-Life Malawi, though ever in need of growth, is vibrant with enthusiasm and vitality. It is providing effective opposition to the culture of death. Already, five local pro-life groups have been formed, thanks to the efforts of the Board of Directors. Pro-Life Malawi enjoys the support of the local bishop and the entire clergy, who are eager to start pro-life groups in various parishes, in order to effectively counter population control activities at the grassroots level. The local population is tremendously pro-life; the applause I received after my speech at Holy Mass was a clear indication of support for our life-saving message, and the listeners’ feedback to the Radio Alinafe program was overwhelmingly positive. In fact, having heard us on the radio program, the youth group of Sacred Heart Parish requested that I come and speak to them about pro-life issues; and even a member of parliament came to visit and congratulate us!

In addition to the daily pro-life activities being conducted at various levels of society, there are three major programs that HLI Pro-Life Malawi hopes to conduct next year. First of all, they want to prepare a pro-life training program for seminarians, for which HLI staff would be invited as trainers. Secondly, within the first quarter of next year, they are planning to run a workshop to train local pro-life leaders. And finally, sometime in June or July of next year, I intend to lead a training session in Malawi for all English-speaking HLI Directors in the area.