A visiting Bishop is reminding members of the local Anglican Church that they have been called to rebuild a fractured community, in a world where political and community leaders are sometimes too clever for their own good.
African Bishop, Dr. James Tengatenga, made this call when he spoke to hundreds that gathered at the Anglican Diocesan Service, about Intentional Discipleship, at Kensington Oval, yesterday.
He said sometimes political leaders forget that they are servants of the people and take advantage of their ignorance.
He also accused some church leaders of abusing the kindness and generosity of the faithful, while some take advantage of the vulnerable, either through abuse or milking them dry of their hard-earned money, in what he described as spiritual blackmail.
“All is done, not for the good of the community, but for the good of me, myself and I. In this day and age, is there any reason why anyone should go hungry, without medical care or without housing? Is there not enough wealth to make sure that no one is in need?
“There are some countries whose GDP [Gross Domestic Product] is not where it should be, not because the country cannot produce enough, not because the country does not have enough reserves, but because some politicians and business people are selfish and inconsiderate.”
He said it is not uncommon these days to hear followers boasting about their pastors’ wealth.
“It is as if God is forgotten in all of this. But look who is saying that – it is the one who has nothing, yet is also the one who is giving everything to the rich prophet, to the rich pastor, to the rich apostle and whatever they call themselves.
“These pastors work on the poor gullibility, on the poor ignorance, they take advantage of them, church is no longer a church…” he said.
Bishop Tengatenga further stated that too often, highly qualified job seekers are not called for interviews, even after sending out multiple application letters, because they may not be familiar with anyone in authority.
“That is how callous the heart of society has become. The idea that somebody else’s child is your child, does not work anymore. I take care of mine and mine alone, is the operating mode,” he lamented.
However, the Bishop told the Christians gathered that while they are expected to make mistakes in life, they must contribute to rebuilding a loving and caring society.
“Build a community, do not fracture it. Build communities of trust. Let not the girl child be afraid to walk in the streets alone. Create conditions that make the disabled feel safe and become trusting.
“Create communities in which no child will go to bed hungry, no teenager will take his or her own life because they have been bullied or feel unloved,” he pleaded.
“Create a society in which all are loved and cherished. A society where even the self inflicted drug addict feels at home and feels he is loved. A society where we look after one another and know that the person sitting opposite you has your back and will not stab you in the back. That is perfection, that is holiness,” Bishop Tengatenga added.
(AH)