Tuesday, July 25

Malawi Catholic church firebombed

Twenty people were injured in a deliberately set explosion during Mass at a church near the Malawi capital of Lilongwe.Reuters reports that a man dressed as a choir member set off an explosion at the St Francis Church in a township outside of the capital Lilongwe, igniting a ferocious fire that injured at least 20 people.Police spokesman Willie Mwaluka said the blast on Sunday appeared to have been deliberately set."We have dispatched our explosives experts to the scene to investigate whether indeed this was a bomb or simply petrol carried in a bag," Mr Mwaluka said."The motive by the suspect is unknown, because he is still at-large. He ran away during the stampede," he said.Mr Mwaluka said the man arrived at the church carrying a bag and dressed as a choir member. Other choristers detected a strong smell of petrol but before they could raise the alarm the suspect lit a match and the bag exploded.Malawi Home Affairs Minister Bob Khamisa condemned the incident and ordered police to thoroughly investigate the motive."Places of worship are sacred and should be the safest places for society. I want to assure Malawians that government will tighten security in all public places," Mr Khamisa said in a brief statement.Relations between members of the different religions in Malawi have been largely harmonious.Catholics make up around a fifth of Malawi's 10 million people. At least 70 percent of Malawians are Christians, while about 20 percent are Muslims. The remaining 10 percent are members of traditional sects. Click here for the article
The community effected is not connected with our Support group.

For the latest pictures from Malawi visit the Malawi web site or click here.

12 comments:

Madcap said...

How terrible, how sad. I hope it doesn't spark a horrible chain of retaliations.

Ingrid said...

the whole world is watching the ME while other atrocities keep happening.. when oh when will there be an end?
Ingrid , ps.. I don't think I ever asked, what is your 'malawi' connection?

Granny said...

Will it ever end?

lindsaylobe said...

Hi madcap, Ingrid & granny
Thank you all for your concern. Our hope is that people in Malawi, often referred to as the warm heart of Africa will not become suspicious of strangers.

Apparently it's not unusual to have many people visiting relatives so we trust they do not become a paranoid society.

Ingrid –You asked about my connection to Malawi. I am the chairman of the local Catholic parish’s Malawi Support Group to assist Malawians in their parish in Malawi. So far we have funded grain distribution to staving families when the maize crop failed, funded a building for AIDS sufferers, funded several classrooms for the school and assisted other Building works including electrification.

We have regular fund raising activities such as Theatre Nights, Raffles, Triva Nights, stalls and sell christmas cards. All of our fundraising is voluntary and 100% of what we raise goes directly to families in Malawi. People donate a lot of stuff to the group. Visit the website to see the smiling faces.

If you would like some Christmas Cards, depicting a beautiful photo of a malawain Mother and child with a simple message of peace on earth inside, lets us know and I will be pleased to send you some !!

Best wishes

Jo said...

Hi, Lindsay. Thanks for popping over to my funny little blog. And thank you for your kind comments.

I notice you list in your interests "string theory". I watched a documentary on CBC recently about string theory and I found it fascinating. And I found it fascinating that the fellow who had first "discovered" the string theory was ignored for so many years.

DA said...

How awaful Lindsay, this world is so sick. Take care sage one!

Gary said...

I wonder what the motivation was - perhaps mental illness?

lindsaylobe said...

Hi Josie, Penny, DA & Gary
Thanks for your visit; I do hope it’s only an isolated case of mental problems. Rather than new wave of violence for this warm hearted country.

Val said...

I know only two people from Malawi, a young father and son. They are indeed very warm, and it makes me sad that their homeland is threatened on a number of fronts.

I enjoyed the photos via your link, and especially the simple 3 tone drawings depicting life there. Only a few lines but evoking so much.

lindsaylobe said...

Hi Val
Thanks for visiting. I use one of those simple 3 tones drawing of the women entering the village on letterheads.

Would you like a dozen or more of our beautiful Malawian Christmas cards? They have a simple message of peace on earth inside! And the cover depicts a photo of a brightly clad Malawian mother and child. I also have some as general greeting or thank you cards which are blank inside.

Best wishes

DellaB said...

Dear Lindsay, I have been dwelling a bit on this post this last week. We cannot help but know how bad things are in this world today if we follow even the basic channel news and read headlines. How sad it must be when it touches so closely those you work with and obviously care a great deal about.

I went to the website, it's a different world, isn't it ... it all looks so charming,and a community working to help itself - what a pity things like this have to happen - I wonder why?

Your group does good work - you must be pleased to be a part of it - I do nothing, I am sad to say - but I do buy Christmas cards - please add me to your list.

lindsaylobe said...

Hi haider & dellab
Thanks for visiting, Despite the hardship, the people are very warm hearted and even show concern for us. I will send you some cards.

Best wishes