Thirty Catholic priests from the Diocese of Homa Bay Sunday claimed that they were targeted over the church’s stand on the political crisis dogging the country.Speaking during the ordination of four deacons at St Paul’s Cathedral, the clerics led by the Rev Pascal Otieno accused the church leadership of having taken sides.
And made statements that were potentially divisive in the run-up to the elections, they added.
The Rev Otieno said that even before the polls, the country was polarised along ethnic lines, and that it was unwise for the Church to criticise policies being advocated by some political parties.
In the run-up to the polls, John Cardinal Njue spoke against the devolution system of government, which was proposed by both the ODM and the ODM-Kenya.The latter political party has since joined the Government.
This, the priest said, was seen as the Church’s endorsement of the Government, although the faithful had been advised to use their discretion in picking leaders.
The priests said the Catholic Church had earned a negative reputation in the Opposition strongholds, with some believers even staying away from church.
Rare attack
In a rare attack on the Cardinal, the priests, in the presence of their Bishop, Philip Anyolo, said Catholics in Kenya were longing for the character of Maurice Cardinal Otunga, who died in 2003.
“As the late Cardinal Otunga approaches sainthood, we beseech him so that the church is not led by the spirit of blood but by truth and justice,” he said.
The occasion saw the ordination of Philip Ager Olage, Patrick Marcelline Otieno, Elias Omollo Ojuang’ and Edwin Orwa as deacons.
The ceremony was conducted by Bishop Anyolo assisted by Retired Bishop Collin Davis.
Vicar-General the Rev Maurice Odiwa, pointed out that the spokesman of each diocese is the bishop.
He said it is unfair for Christians to be hard on priests based on utterances made by the Cardinal in his personal capacity.
In his brief speech, Bishop Anyolo said he was aware of the challenges facing the church and appealed for tolerance.
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