Religions Speaks into Social Justice
By Ms. Teresia Muia
A group of religious men and women mobilized by Loyola Centre for Media and Communications (LCMC) on Monday 19 2024, declares war against social injustice in the country by resolving to sensitize Kenyans on their rights, rebuild the societal morals and end the culture of silence
In a heated kick off of the discussion on the project duped “faith that does justice’’, The LCMC team saw the participants watch some clips of notable corruption cases in the country including; the NHIF, KEMSA, Youth Fund and Edible oil scandals that left everyone wondering where the church is in the face of such occurrences. “How can the church be silent when public money is being mismanaged but insists on praying for the leaders.” Asked a participant.
During this discussion which spearheads, the beginning of LCMC’S new Angaza Dialogue Platform (ADP) the religious were urged to utilize their religious positions in advocating for social justice. The participants say, there is need to give education that gives value and enables Kenyans to be creative and innovative without depending on favors from politicians. “There is need for change in the Mindset of the common mwananchi, we need to teach people on being content with whatever little they have.” says one of the religious brothers present.
Openly expressing disgust on the depth of corruption and how it has entered into the marrows of Kenyans, with the church environment not left out, the religious emphasize that there is a need to form people right from home and in the churches. Notably, the clergy should be role models in denouncing evils from where they are. “There is a culture of normalizing corruption even in church, where a child in church will not get catechism formation but get baptized, where are we going?’’ Wondered a participant.
As this session came to a close, the religious and clergy members seemingly overjoyed by this step to engage faith in addressing social injustice, they advise that the Angaza Dialogue platform pioneers maximize the opportunity to speak to key people in the country on social justice, run anti-corruption campaigns and raise awareness on the dangers of corruption.
