Catholic Church “most trusted in Kenya”, Archbishop Says, Cautions against “greedy” Collaborators Hurting Trust

“We would wish to engage as many professionals as possible so that we can actually run our programs in a very professional and efficient, effective way. At the same time, we would like to be able to keep records, be data-driven, and follow what are the trends and the needs of the moment, because there are people who are working in this field who are experts. We want them on board so that they assist us,” Archbishop Muheria said.

The Kenyan Church leader explored ways in which the Church can steer development in Africa at the conference that was organized in collaboration with Strathmore University and  Harambee Africa International (HAI). 

In his presentation, Archbishop Muheria found it regrettable that there is “a huge trust deficit” in the people that the Church sometimes brings on board to collaborate on projects.

“Many people we bring on board, unfortunately, fail the trust test. They come on board, but you realize that they have an agenda. Then the greed comes in. And they always want to take advantage,” he said.

“Our biggest problem are the people who come, the people we partner with, the laity who we engage,” he said, and added, “I think we seem to be living many times the dichotomy of that. We are Christians, but when it comes to business, when it comes to a professional engagement, we are willing to change the goalpost.”

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Archbishop Muheria observed that Clerics and the Clergy involved in Church development projects are not immune to the allure of money and comfort. 

He cautioned against individual Church leaders destringing the image of the entire Church, saying, “When we make one false step, that is usually amplified so much. Where there was a problem with Archbishop Muheria, the whole Church was put into the bad light.”

According to the Kenyan archbishop, lay people who are engaged in Church programs “should not come with the intent of making a kill” in working with the Church. “Yes, they can get remuneration, but let it be a duty that is part of their Christian calling,” he said.

Organized under the theme, “Africa’s Destiny”, the BeDoCare conference at Opus Dei’s Strathmore University brought together entrepreneurs, researchers, cultural leaders, academics, and civil society representatives from 21 countries who are exploring Africa’s challenges and opportunities for development.

There was a wide array of topics including governance in African countries, the role of journalists in the telling of African stories, the role of the Catholic Church in development of the continent, among others. 

A participant who wanted to know more about the emerging concept of donor fatigue in the African Church posed, “How do you encourage the faithful to keep giving without getting tired?”

Another one, conflicted about external donor interests in African countries, asked, “What do you do when you realize that the partner you have been working with for a very long time has a hidden agenda that doesn't align with your values?”

A journalist among the participants wanted to learn more about stories that one can tell to trigger well-to-do Catholics, to take up philanthropy.

Responding to the storyteller, Archbishop Muheria said, “Journalism has a fantastic opportunity to weave stories that touch hearts. People don't give because it's very rational what you're going to do. People give because you've touched them.”

Because of good journalism, people contribute to the growth of their Church, feeling “part of a greater story,” Archbishop Muheria said, adding that a journalist makes people experience transformation. 

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He said that negativity in journalism can make people not care.

“Care is compassion. Care is empathy. Care is charity. Care is sharing and meeting of hearts. And that's what journalism has to seek, to make people feel and touch what other hearts feel, experience the joys, the sorrows, the challenges, and feel part of that bigger picture,’ he said.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.