By George Mponda, MANA
Group Village Headmen (GVH) from Traditional Authority (TA) Kachere in Dedza has accused some religious leaders in the area of delivering sermons which are compromising the response to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Speaking during a COVID-19 sensitization meeting for Chiefs, Religious leaders and Herbalists organized by Story Workshop in Dedza GVH Kachere said the practice has been common especially during funerals.
“It has been noted that every time we are at a funeral, some preachers have been delivering sermons saying this is the sign of the end of times and there is nothing we can do to control the corona virus.
This has been happening, as chiefs have been spreading messages on the measures people should take to avoid contracting the virus even at the same funerals which is bringing confusion,” he pointed out.
Reacting to this, Pastor Wiziman Nandaya of Living God Pentecostal Church said the Church has an important role to play in the fight against Covid-19.
“If there are some religious leaders who are doing that then I think it is because they do not know scriptures very well. We as religious leaders have to follow what the government is saying as a way of guiding our flock.
Romans 13:1 says the authorities that exist have been established by God therefore it is our duty as Church leaders to complement the efforts that government is putting in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
Project officer for Story Workshop, Dennis Sinchaya commended the participants of the meeting for being open minded saying this was vital in combating the Coronavirus.
“As story workshop we saw that there were gaps in the dissemination of COVID-19 messages and we decided to engage those who are in authority so that they should also voice out their concerns,” he said
Currently, story workshop is continuing with the sensitization meetings in Dedza district which are being funded by the UK-Aid through United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
