{"id":138,"date":"2016-01-15T14:33:00","date_gmt":"2016-01-15T14:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/2016\/01\/15\/kenya-statement-by-catholic-church-on\/"},"modified":"2016-05-03T09:40:33","modified_gmt":"2016-05-03T09:40:33","slug":"kenya-statement-by-catholic-church-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/2016\/01\/15\/kenya-statement-by-catholic-church-on\/","title":{"rendered":"KENYA: Statement by the Catholic Church on the proposed religious societies rules 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nFellow
\nKenyans, the Catholic Church has over the years lived true to her mission of
\nevangelisation. We have, over the years, kept our doors open to millions of
\nKenyans across the country who truly seek Christ in their life.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThrough
\nour Churches spread in every corner of the country, our schools and medical
\nfacilities, we have constantly striven to reach out to the body, mind and souls
\nof Kenyans from all walks of life.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIt
\nis therefore with shock and surprise that we have received the news that the
\ngovernment has formulated new rules that, if implemented, will have direct and
\nnegative impact on our evangelization mission. Similar attempts to regulate the
\nprocedures for Christian marriage have led to a major drop in young people
\ncoming to Church to celebrate the sacrament.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWe,
\nshepherds of the Catholic Church are deeply concerned about the proposed the
\nnew, Societies (religious societies) rules, 2015 on the following grounds:<\/p>\n

The
\nconstitution of Kenya draws a very clear line between the state and
\nreligion.  The same constitution is also
\nexplicitly clear on the freedom of worship, which is enshrined in the document.
\nHow then, we, ask, does the government purport to regulate how Kenyans worship?
\nIs this not a clear violation of the constitution?<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n      Broad
\nsections of the law are unrealistic and utopian. For example, parts of the law
\nrequire different faiths to keep an updated register of all members. We wish to
\nremind the state that the work of winning souls for Christ is an ongoing task,
\none that happens every second, every minute, every day and night. Every second,
\nmillions of souls are won for Christ. To demand that all faiths keep records of
\npeople won for Christ every minute and those who have become inactive is
\ntherefore logistically unrealistic and untenable.<\/p>\n

      Further
\nto that, the new rules give the registrar sweeping powers, including the power
\nto invade Churches to conduct impromptu audit. This is, to say the least, a license
\nfor the government to violate constitutionally guaranteed freedom of worship.
\nThe Catholic Church is not a business; neither is it a Non-Government
\nOrganisations or a civil society. The Catholic Church is a people of God.  As such, the state cannot purport to audit
\nthe faith of the people of God.<\/p>\n

      Further,
\nto demand that all faiths register followers will only serve to convert
\nchurches into mere registration centres, instead of citadels of hope and faith
\nfor millions of Kenyans. Matters of faith are not about numbers. They are about
\nconversion of the soul. To demand that Churches, keep records of their
\nfollowers will effectively reduce Christianity into a game of numbers, and
\nwater down the mission of the Church which is evangelization and assisting people
\nto become better persons.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\nDear
\nKenyans, this is not the first time that we are raising our concerns with the
\ngovernment regarding attempts to regulate churches and worship Unfortunately,
\nthe government has chosen to ignore our concerns or sideline us altogether in
\nthe formulation of these rules.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe
\nconstitution is clear on citizen involvement in formulation of rules and laws
\naffecting the people. If indeed the government is genuine in formulating these
\nrules, then it should have, as respected the constitution by ensuring wide
\nconsultation with all religious leaders in the country in the formulation and
\nwording of these new rules. Sadly, these rules seem to have been formulated
\ninside boardrooms without due regard for the spiritual welfare of our beloved
\ncountry.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe
\ngovernment already has at its disposal mechanisms to bring to book rogue
\nreligious leaders in the country.  To
\nbegin with, the government already wields the power to register or de-register
\nChurches, as well as preferring criminal charges on wayward churches and church
\nleaders.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWhile
\nwe acknowledge the governments\u2019 concerns about reported cases where persons
\npurporting to be shepherds of the flock have grossly abused duties and
\nresponsibilities placed on them, it is our opinion that these new rules will
\nnot adequately address such cases.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe
\nCatholic Church has a Code of Canon Law to guide and regulate her operations.
\nIt sets the bar on all facets of the Church \u2013from leadership to membership.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThis
\nCode of Canon law has clearly laid down procedures on qualifications for
\nleaders at all levels and how to punish errant leaders and members. It is only
\nfair that the state gives the Catholic Church space to implement this
\nconstitution in the spirit of self-regulation.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOnly
\nthis way can the separation of Church and State as stipulated in the
\nconstitution, and indeed, the freedom of worship be guaranteed.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe
\nnew laws are therefore an attempt to micromanage worship and should be dropped.
\nWe invite the government to establish means to discuss the way forward. The
\nCatholic Church remains a credible partner in the spiritual and social
\ndevelopment of all partners.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n   <\/i><\/div>\n
\nSigned:
\n________________________                                                              
\nDate:  January 12th 2016<\/i><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRt. Rev. Philip Anyolo <\/i><\/div>\n
\nChairman, Kenya Conference
\nof Catholic Bishops \/Homa Bay <\/i><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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