BLANTYRE—Eight Malawian Catholic bishops have called on Malawians to "mourn with dignity" the passing of Bingu wa Mutharika.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), which represents the eight Catholic Dioceses said a statement to MaraPost that it was "saddened by the demise of President Bingu wa Mutharika," calling on citizens "to maintain peace and order during the transitional period."

The statement, signed by ECM chairman Bishop Joseph Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese and eight other bishops, said:

“We call upon all Malawians to mourn the death of our leader with the kind of dignity befitting the Head of State, always ensuring that we rise above personal and political self interests.

“In this regard, we appeal to the conscience of all those in relevant decision-making offices to strictly adhere to the provisions of succession (as) provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi,” the statement reads in part.

The bishops quoted John 14: 27, in which Jesus Christ tells his heart-broken Apostles by declaring that “peace is what I leave you, it is my own peace that I give you…”

 “May God, our Creator, who by the power of Christ conquered death, in his infinite mercy and love, enable the late president share his victory and rest in peace,” the statement concludes.

The signatories are Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese, Bishop Thomas Msusa of Zomba Diocese, Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye of Blantyre Arch-diocese, Archbishop Remi Ste-Marie of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikhwawa Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Kanyama of Dedza Diocese, Bishop Alessandro Pagani of Mangochi Diocese, and Montfort Sitima, the Auxiliary Bishop for Blantyre.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment