The Catholic Church in Kenya has reaffirmed its position on accepting donations, including those from political figures, while maintaining a strict boundary between faith and politics. Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Chairman, Bishop Maurice Muhatia, emphasized that the Church relies on the goodwill of men and women to support its mission of evangelization.
Bishop Muhatia clarified that financial contributions from politicians are welcome as long as they align with the principles of charity and service. The Church, he stated, cannot reject support that enables it to carry out its work in communities, including education, healthcare, and pastoral activities. However, he was firm in stating that such donations do not grant politicians the right to use the pulpit for political messaging.
“We remain grateful for such gestures,” the bishop noted, “but we will not allow political figures to address congregations from the pulpit.” This stance aims to prevent the politicization of religious spaces and maintain the sacredness of worship. The Catholic Church in Kenya has long opposed the use of the pulpit for political campaigns, emphasizing that places of worship should remain spaces for prayer and spiritual nourishment.
By setting these boundaries, the Church seeks to uphold its integrity and avoid being drawn into political divisions. Bishop Muhatia’s statement reinforces the Church’s commitment to serving all people while ensuring that political influence does not overshadow its mission.
By Kenyans