Kenyans have come a very long way in the democratization process. Long gone are the days when we used to look around first before criticizing the authorities especially the political ones. Freedom of speech only existed in theory but practically it was like one signing there very own death certificate. Among the institutions that played a crucial role to see all these become things of the past, is the church. That is a historical truth and fact that will never be changed. Church leaders even paid the price for their outspokenness, through death. We have come indeed a long way. Back then, the Church’s voice was the same as that of the populace.
However, in the recent past, a very interesting precedent is emerging in the nation. This is where every decision the Church undertakes, is heavily criticized and condemned by political leaders, professionals as well as several civil societies. It is as if the Church is being told silently to keep quiet.
If indeed, freedom of speech is guaranteed in the constitution, then isn’t the Church also entitled to enjoy the same? The Church leadership in this nation, aren’t they also Kenyans just as much as the rest of us? Don’t they also have concerns which they need addressed? One would be tempted to think that there are forces out to ensure that the Church is completely silenced.
During the recent vetting process for the chief justice and his deputy, the Church spoke out loudly and clearly asking the nation to challenge the nominees on their philosophies, beliefs and moral stand on different issues. Sadly, they were told to shut up. But to their credit they didn’t shut up but continued speaking to the bitter end.
Inspite of their flaws and many shortcomings let us remember that for the Church leaders, for the most part at least, theirs is a God-ordained ministry and calling. It is their duty to point out those issues which they believe are a threat to the moral fibre of our nation. If they keep quiet who will point these out? A society without morals is society that is on the way to decadence and possibly extinction.
The Church has been vilified, rightly so in most cases, for their stance or lack of it during the 2005 referendum and thereafter in the 2007 general elections. Unless Kenyans have forgotten, it was only the Church that owned up and apologized to Kenyans for their partisanship during those two instances. All the other institutions in this nation have remained mum and none has apologized not even the media, the police, the judiciary, the security forces, parliament nor the politicians for the roles they all played in dividing this nation and taking this nation to the brink of war. But even after apologizing, they are still constantly reminded of the role they played. Were they the only ones who erred? Why haven’t the other institutions owned up?
The role of the Church is without doubt very critical in our nation. We need a vibrant and engaged Church in our nation. There are issues that require input and wisdom of the Church to be solved in our nation. Let the Church continue fulfilling its God-ordained mandate without fear or favour. Biblically, the Church was always in conflict with the national leaders and citizenry when her leaders spoke without fear on the many ills and sins in the land. The Kenyan Church of the 21 century cannot afford to seek to please either the politicians, civic societies or the citizenry.
Its better for the Church to be criticized and vilified for taking the correct stance than for her to be praised for taking the wrong stance. It is better to be right in the eyes of God, than to be right in the eyes of man.
No comments:
Post a Comment