Church must lead the stand against corrupt leaders
The church should not fold its arms in a country ravaged by corrupt and greedy government leaders stealing from the poor and draining state coffers, while unscrupulous pastors abuse the vulnerable.
So said outspoken Fort Hare University theological department head Dr Reuben Rashe.
He was addressing kings, religious heads, mayors, other guests and graduates at a thanksgiving ceremony in honour of Anglican Church of Southern Africa’s Dr Reverend Bonginkosi Justice Mditshane, at Marhambeni village, in Mthatha on Saturday.
Mditshane became the first priest in the Mthatha Diocese’s 87 parishes to obtained a PhD.
Rashe lamented that the church was drifting from its duty to protect the poor and be the voice of the voiceless.
“South Africans are staggering under an immense wave of corruption in both the private and the public sectors. Government departments are lead by unethical people.
“The church should be in the frontline in nurturing moral leadership and stemming corruption.
“The upsurge in moral decadence is damaging the socioeconomic development of the nation.”
Rashe said the church should position itself to inculcate sound moral values in the youth and identity leaders who would not loot national coffers.
He tore into Jesus Dominion International pastor Tim Omotoso, currently on trial in Port Elizabeth for child rape and human trafficking, calling him a disgrace to Christianity.
“We beg our women to stop protecting abusers like Omotoso and join the fight against abuse of the vulnerable.” he said.
Rashe, who also teaches ethics, lashed out at unscrupulous church leaders who enrich themselves off the poor.