Catholic World News

Kenyan Church leaders unite to oppose new constitution

July 30, 2010

In a remarkable display of ecumenical solidarity, the Christian leaders of Kenya have issued a statement opposing a new draft constitution, saying that the document “in its current form is not good for the country.”

Echoing concerns that the country’s Catholic bishops have raised, the Christian leaders said that the proposed constitution is defective because it fails to protect human life. They said:

It s true that there are many positive improvements in the proposed draft, but the good has been mixed with evil sections that affect the moral life and rights of this country in irreversible and fundamental ways. The proposed constitution does not safeguard the sacredness of human life, the sound and moral education of our children and religious equality.

The religious leaders encouraged those who already oppose the draft constitution to stand their ground, and now “be swayed by money or the extravagant show of might” that supporters of the proposal have arranged. The Kenyan government—with strong support from the US—has thrown its full weight behind the proposed constitution, in an aggressive campaign to have the document approved by a nationwide referendum.

The statement of opposition to the document was signed by leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Reformed, Lutheran, and Evangelical communities, as well as the National Council of Churches and more than 20 other denominations.

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