Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – The startled citizens are asking themselves, “Will famine return?” says Fr. Piergiorgio Gamba, a Monfortian missionary who has been working in Malawi for decades, in a brief update sent to Agenzia Fides on the food crisis in the country (see Fides 5/12/2008).
“The government has tried to control the price of 50 kg of grain, trying to bring it down to 2,600 Kwacha, however it has been unsuccessful, as it is now at over 3,500. The children are once more beginning to have faces of hunger, as they eat only once a day. Mothers wait in line to ask for help, as farmers must decide whether to plant grain or grind it in the mill, to make it to another meal.
The present difficulties are showing signs of the symptoms: the months ahead will not be easy. The price of grain increased 48%, mainly affecting the families that have one salary, on which dozens of children and relatives depend. This is an unacceptable situation, as May 2009 elections approach. President Bingu wa Mutharika has received degrees and honorary titles for the past progress of agricultural production in Malawi. Up against the hard truth, the awards lose their value, as the hunger is evident. In the prison in Ntcheu, not even one daily meal has been distributed in the last three days. The famine has become a political shame.
How can it be resolved? It is quite simple: distribute coupons to the church pastors, for obtaining fertilizers at one-tenth the cost of the market price. These coupons were only offered to the presbyterian churches, thus creating the risk of dividing the Churches and awarding benefits only those who are faithful to the party. In this manner, divisions and controversy are created in order to benefit only those in power.”
However, Malawi offers another testimony: that of the life of Fr. Giuseppe Buffoni, Combonian Missionary who died on December 7, after having dedicated his life to the mission. “His entire life was a mission, beginning with the testimony of his family, which includes three priests and a religious sister – all Combonians, all missionaries,” said Fr. Gamba. “During his service to the mission of Lirangwe where he was parish pastor, he suffered an ictus that forced him to return to Italy in extremely grave condition. Once he had recuperated, 70% as he used to say, he wanted to go back to the mission. He wanted to return to Malawi and in the last five years carried out an impressive labor. He wrote prayer books, catechetical materials, and in a particular manner supported the growth of a spiritual group linked to Medjugorie. After the Mass on December 7, his heart stopped beating. On December 9, he was accompanied on his way to the Lord of the Mission in the Cathedral of Limbe. A large number of faithful attended the funeral. Many knew him for his joyful charism and for having dedicated himself completely to the mission.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2008)
