Kenyan Bishops 'shocked and surprised' by proposed government regulation of worship

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyan Bishops say they are "shocked and surprised" at the news that the government has formulated new rules which, if implemented, will have a "direct and negative impact on our evangelization mission."

"The Constitution of Kenya establishes a clear distinction between State and religion, and, the bishops say, is "explicitly clear on the freedom of worship" but they say the proposed new rules would mean government interference in the way churches are run.

"How does the government purport to regulate how Kenyans worship? Is this not a clear violation of the constitution? " they ask.

The Bishops underline that "broad sections of the law are unrealistic and utopian. For example, parts of the law require different faiths to keep an updated register of all members...We wish to remind the state that the work of winning souls for Christ is an ongoing task, one that happens every second, every minute, every day and night. Every second, millions of souls are won for Christ. To demand that all faiths keep records of people won for Christ every minute and those who have become inactive is therefore logistically unrealistic and untenable."

Another controversial issue concerns the "power to invade churches to conduct impromptu audit. This is, to say the least, a license for the government to violate constitutionally guaranteed freedom of worship."

Acknowledging that the new regulation was necessary for cases of abuse by self-proclaimed religious leaders, the Bishops recall that the Catholic Church is governed by the Code of Canon Law, and therefore has "procedures to punish leaders who make mistakes."

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked the Attorney General to review the new law on 'religious societies' in consultation with all stakeholders.

Source: Fides