|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Catholic Church in Kenya has drawn a line in the sand against political influence, taking an uncompromising stance to preserve its sanctity and moral authority. On Sunday, November 17, 2024, the Archdiocese of Nairobi rejected significant monetary contributions from prominent political figures.
In a statement read across all parishes, the bishops warned that such contributions risked compromising the Church’s independence. Archbishop Philip Anyolo, speaking for the Archdiocese, reiterated the need to safeguard the pulpit from political exploitation.
“The Church is a sacred space for worship and guidance, not a platform for political posturing,” said Archbishop Anyolo. “We welcome everyone into our fold, but leaders must come as ordinary Christians, not as politicians seeking to advance their agendas.”
Among the rejected donations were Ksh. 200,000 from the Nairobi Governor, Ksh. 600,000 from the President, and Ksh. 2 million intended for constructing the Fathers’ House at Soweto Catholic Church. A pledge of Ksh. 3 million for additional projects and a parish bus donation were also declined. Archbishop Anyolo affirmed that any funds received in violation of KCCB’s policy would be returned to the donors.
This decision has sparked a broader discussion about the role of the Church in addressing governance issues. Archbishop Anyolo called on leaders to focus on the pressing concerns of the nation, including corruption, overtaxation, broken promises, and the erosion of public trust. “Kenya needs ethical leadership that prioritizes the needs of its people over selfish ambitions,” he emphasized.
The Catholic Church’s position found strong support from the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK). On Tuesday, Archbishop Jackson Ole-Sapit of ACK applauded the Catholic bishops’ courage, describing their statement as a reflection of the frustrations felt by many Kenyans.
“The bishops have spoken the truth as it is on the ground,” said Ole-Sapit. “Instead of dismissing their concerns, the government should listen and act. Public universities are barely functioning under the new funding model, and the transition from NHIF to SHIF has caused untold suffering. These issues demand urgent attention.”
Ole-Sapit further criticized what he called a growing culture of intolerance towards constructive criticism. “Labeling the Church’s concerns as ‘misleading’ or ‘false’ only deepens the disconnect between the government and the people,” he added.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.