KENYA: Catholic Bishops decry the Proposed New Rule on Religious Societies imposed by the Government
The
Catholic Bishops of Kenya have criticised the proposed religious societies
rules 2015 on which they say that it is a clear violation of the constitution
which draws a clear line between the Church and state.
Catholic Bishops of Kenya have criticised the proposed religious societies
rules 2015 on which they say that it is a clear violation of the constitution
which draws a clear line between the Church and state.
Speaking
during a press conference at Waumini House – Westlands on 12 January 2016 the
Chairman of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Rt. Rev Philip Anyolo
termed the laws which demand that ‘all religion/denomination keep records of
followers’ as unrealistic and untenable and that it will change their identity
and become mere registration centres.
during a press conference at Waumini House – Westlands on 12 January 2016 the
Chairman of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Rt. Rev Philip Anyolo
termed the laws which demand that ‘all religion/denomination keep records of
followers’ as unrealistic and untenable and that it will change their identity
and become mere registration centres.
“To
demand that Churches keep records of their followers will effectively reduce
Christianity into a game of numbers, and water down the mission of the Church
which is evangelization and assisting people to become better persons,” he said
adding that “Matters of faith are not about numbers. They are about conversion
of the soul.”
demand that Churches keep records of their followers will effectively reduce
Christianity into a game of numbers, and water down the mission of the Church
which is evangelization and assisting people to become better persons,” he said
adding that “Matters of faith are not about numbers. They are about conversion
of the soul.”
Kenya’s
Office of the Attorney General has introduced new rules, expected to take
effect next month, with the aim of regulating religious organisations and their
leaders. The Religious Societies Compliance Rules, drafted in December and open
for deliberation until February 18th, will require clerics and administrators
of religious organisations to register with the authorities or face revocation
of their licences.
Office of the Attorney General has introduced new rules, expected to take
effect next month, with the aim of regulating religious organisations and their
leaders. The Religious Societies Compliance Rules, drafted in December and open
for deliberation until February 18th, will require clerics and administrators
of religious organisations to register with the authorities or face revocation
of their licences.
Under
the new rules, religious leaders must obtain certificates of clearance from the
Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission (EACC), and all religious organisations must file annual tax returns.
the new rules, religious leaders must obtain certificates of clearance from the
Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission (EACC), and all religious organisations must file annual tax returns.
Priests,
imams, swamis and the administrative officers of religious establishments, such
as trustees and committee members, will have to provide their personal
identification numbers and a copy of their national identification card, copies
of their tax clearance or tax exemption certificates, certificates of good
conduct from the CID and EACC, and professional credentials in order to operate
lawfully.
imams, swamis and the administrative officers of religious establishments, such
as trustees and committee members, will have to provide their personal
identification numbers and a copy of their national identification card, copies
of their tax clearance or tax exemption certificates, certificates of good
conduct from the CID and EACC, and professional credentials in order to operate
lawfully.
In
addition, religious institutions will have to list the location of each branch,
the leaders and administrators associated with each location, and any other
affiliated organisations.
addition, religious institutions will have to list the location of each branch,
the leaders and administrators associated with each location, and any other
affiliated organisations.
Missionaries
and international preachers also will be required to obtain a letter of
recommendation from their respective embassies and a Kenyan work permit.
and international preachers also will be required to obtain a letter of
recommendation from their respective embassies and a Kenyan work permit.
The
move, according to the government aimed to develop more stringent rules to
regulate faith-based organisations in response to public complaints that some
were extorting money under false pretences; taking advantage of their flocks by
fleecing them of their hard earned cash in exchange for miracles while others
are using these religious institutions and holy scriptures to indoctrinate
followers with extremist ideology.
move, according to the government aimed to develop more stringent rules to
regulate faith-based organisations in response to public complaints that some
were extorting money under false pretences; taking advantage of their flocks by
fleecing them of their hard earned cash in exchange for miracles while others
are using these religious institutions and holy scriptures to indoctrinate
followers with extremist ideology.
By AMECEA Online News
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