Archbishop Muheria urges politicians to keep dirty money away from church

Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria has urged politicians to keep proceeds of corruption away from church donations as the clergy cannot tell where donated money is from once it gets to church.

His sentiments coming just a week after President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the Sagana meeting, accused some churches of accepting donations which were proceeds of corruption.

Archbishop Muheria, who was speaking to the press after officiating Ash Wednesday mass at the Consolata Cathedral in Nyeri, called on the political class to maintain peace during campaigns.

“When you say money is tainted or not tainted, it is really your opinion. And I always say I wish I had a ph paper that I can touch the money and find dirty money from good money. It is not the amount, it's where it has come from,” he said.

Muheria said the responsibility of ensuring that proceeds of corruption do not get to church is entirely upon the giver.

“If it is from bad sources then it is your conscience which should refrain you, don't bring dirty money into the church…it is the source and the intention. This has been the stand of the church and this is what any reasonable person would look for, so I ask that we refrain from corruption, let us not point fingers, let us try to uproot vice,” he stated.

At the same time, the Archbishop warned politicians against using religion to endear themselves to voters.

“We are asking all our leaders that they may not misuse the name of God, the scripture and the Bible in trying to further their own personal gains. God is merciful, God is above all, and God loves all irrespective of your ideology or party you follow. Let us not use the name of God or the words of God to say we are better before God than others,” he said.

Muheria also warmed the clergy against taking sides, saying: “And we religious leaders must avoid seeming to know who is the chosen one of God, we have not been whispered to by God or his angels about who is the anointed one; and therefore we must deal with all of the equally.

The Nyeri Archbishop further called on the Catholic faithful to pray for peace as they usher in the lent period.