‘The Catholic Church is Always Right’: Moses Kuria Defends Bishops Amid Government Criticism.
President William Ruto’s chief economic advisor, Moses Kuria, has stood firmly with the Catholic bishops, who recently castigated the government for what they termed as failures to address critical issues affecting Kenyans. Kuria, a devout Catholic, declared the Church’s stance unassailable, intensifying an already heated debate on the administration’s shortcomings.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kuria said that as a practising member who was born and raised in the Church, he firmly believes in its teachings.
“My two rules as a Roman Catholic who has gone through the Catechism process from Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Altar Boy to Confirmation (as Francis) by the late Michael Cardinal Otunga of Kibabii: Rule Number 1—The Catholic Church is always right. Rule Number 2—In case the Catholic Church is wrong, refer to Rule Number 1,” Kuria stated.
Catholic Bishops’ Criticism of the Government
Kuria’s remarks come in the wake of a hard-hitting statement issued by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The bishops accused Ruto’s administration of entrenching a culture of lies and failing to tackle pressing issues affecting Kenyans.
The bishops highlighted a range of grievances, including abductions, femicide, police brutality, over-taxation, rushed implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), pending bills, and a toxic political climate.
Government’s Reaction to the Bishops’ Statement
The bishops’ statement sparked backlash from government allies, who accused the Church of overstepping its mandate.
On Friday, November 15, 2024, Deputy Majority Leader in the National Assembly Owen Baya claimed the bishops’ anger stemmed from the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, on Monday, November 18, criticized the bishops for airing grievances through a press conference instead of seeking a meeting with President Ruto.
The confrontation escalated when the Catholic Church rejected donations from President Ruto towards the construction of a priest’s house. The bishops cited concerns over maintaining the Church’s independence and integrity.
“These funds will be refunded to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Sh3 million for the construction of the Fathers’ house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the President, are hereby declined,” said Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi Philip Anyolo in a statement.
Solidarity Among Religious Institutions
The Catholic Church’s stance has gained support from the Anglican and Pentecostal churches, which have condemned any attempts to intimidate faith leaders. They emphasized the Church’s role in advocating for societal well-being and called for respect for its independence.
The Catholic Church’s firm stand, echoed by other denominations, underscores the growing rift between religious institutions and the government. As criticism mounts, the administration faces increased pressure to address concerns voiced by faith leaders and the public. Moses Kuria’s alignment with the bishops adds a new layer to the discourse, signaling the Church’s significant influence in shaping public opinion and holding the government accountable.
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
