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Parliament unanimously condemned the delegation representing Malawi at the funeral of Pope John Paul II, dismissing it as a disgrace to the nation, and demanded that it should be recalled and replaced by a dignified one.
Leader of Government Business Yusuf Mwawa assured the House that the concerns, first expressed by Mangochi South MP Lilian Patel (UDF), would be duly communicated to the Head of State.
Former UDF deputy secretary general Paul Maulidi and presidential advisor on religious affairs Malani Mtonga left on Wednesday to represent Malawi at the funeral. They accompanied head of the Catholic Church in Malawi Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye and Zomba Diocese Bishop Thomas Msusa.
Patel said although the President has been accused lately of frequent travel, he would have been excused if he chose to go himself because other countries, including the United States of America and Britain, are represented at the presidential and prime ministerial level.
“If he is busy he would have sent the Vice President, leader of the opposition or some senior ministers — he has done that with local funerals here,” said Patel.
People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) leader Aleke Banda said he was equally dismayed when he heard about the composition of the delegation, especially looking at the fact that other countries were represented at the highest level.
“I think it is necessary for government to explain why they sent that low key delegation,” demanded Banda, who is Nkhata Bay South MP. “This is a disgrace.”
No one on the government side offered the explanation.
Expressing his disappointment, Leader of the Opposition John Tembo said it was not too late (in the morning yesterday) to reconsider the delegation “in respect of the feelings of the people of Malawi”.
“We want people who can be greeted in Rome,” said Tembo.
Leader of the UDF in the House George Mtafu said “this is a very sad day”. He said UDF was disappointed not only because the delegation was “low key” but also “it was a very minimum one”. He said he was also not happy with its calibre.
“I do not even know whether it will find its way in Rome,” Mtafu remarked subtly. “I know they are not very far away; they can be recalled and replaced with something better.”
In his condolence message a couple of days ago, Mutharika said he will be sending a delegation to Rome to join millions of people pouring into Vatican for the funeral.
According to a Reuters report over 200 world leaders are expected to attend the ceremony.
Meanwhile, government has declared a holiday on Friday today in honour of the Pope.
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