Kenyan Christian political party greeted with scepticism
-04/11/06
The launch of a Chr
Kenyan Christian political party greeted with scepticism
-04/11/06
The launch of a Christian political party in Kenya has triggered a national debate, with some church leaders and politicians warning that its formation could further divide the East African country which has been fighting government corruption for decades – writes Fredrick Nzwili for Ecumenical News International.
“The Church is supposed to be the conscience of society. When Kenyans are misled, it should provide guidance, but not take leadership,” the Rev. Wellington Sanga, the secretary of the Methodist Church of Kenya, told ENI in Nairobi on 2 November 2006.
“We’re opposed to the churches moving to take over parliament and government. Our role should be like in the Old Testament where prophets rebuked the leaders who led people astray,” said Sanga, noting that Kenyan laws require the separation of State and religion. He added that Christian leaders in politics had failed to be shining role models for the people.
On 28 October, the Rev David Githii, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), who backs a campaign for “the rule of God”, led some church leaders and politicians in launching the Agano (Covenant) Party. Agano and another three parties sympathetic to Christian ideals, are seeking to have “200 people of integrity” voted into parliament.
Roman Catholic, Methodist and Anglican leaders are opposed to the development, but the PCEA, Evangelical and Pentecostal leaders back the formation of a Christian political bloc. They assert that the ongoing political injustices signal clearly that the time for ungodly rule is over, and God is ready to bring in theocratic rule.
Catholic Bishop Martin Kivuva of Machakos was quoted in the Standard newspaper of 1 November warning, “If we go that way, all churches will start forming parties and I don’t think this is the right move because it will be impossible to engage political leaders.” Still, Kivuva said Christians could vote for an individual candidate who agreed with their aspirations.
With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.
Kenyan Christian political party greeted with scepticism
-04/11/06
The launch of a Christian political party in Kenya has triggered a national debate, with some church leaders and politicians warning that its formation could further divide the East African country which has been fighting government corruption for decades – writes Fredrick Nzwili for Ecumenical News International.
“The Church is supposed to be the conscience of society. When Kenyans are misled, it should provide guidance, but not take leadership,” the Rev. Wellington Sanga, the secretary of the Methodist Church of Kenya, told ENI in Nairobi on 2 November 2006.
“We’re opposed to the churches moving to take over parliament and government. Our role should be like in the Old Testament where prophets rebuked the leaders who led people astray,” said Sanga, noting that Kenyan laws require the separation of State and religion. He added that Christian leaders in politics had failed to be shining role models for the people.
On 28 October, the Rev David Githii, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), who backs a campaign for “the rule of God”, led some church leaders and politicians in launching the Agano (Covenant) Party. Agano and another three parties sympathetic to Christian ideals, are seeking to have “200 people of integrity” voted into parliament.
Roman Catholic, Methodist and Anglican leaders are opposed to the development, but the PCEA, Evangelical and Pentecostal leaders back the formation of a Christian political bloc. They assert that the ongoing political injustices signal clearly that the time for ungodly rule is over, and God is ready to bring in theocratic rule.
Catholic Bishop Martin Kivuva of Machakos was quoted in the Standard newspaper of 1 November warning, “If we go that way, all churches will start forming parties and I don’t think this is the right move because it will be impossible to engage political leaders.” Still, Kivuva said Christians could vote for an individual candidate who agreed with their aspirations.
With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.