“Even we elders, and men, instead of wearing respectable clothes that show beauty and dignity, we dress like we are going somewhere with no sense of respect,” Archbishop Muheria laments, adding that women are the most targeted in every trending fashion.
The Local Ordinary of Nyeri Archdiocese, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) says he finds it regrettable that revealing clothes have become the fashion so that “even if we are technically covered, the clothing does not preserve dignity.”
“Instead of helping others see your respectability, (revealing clothe) draws attention and creates impure thoughts in others,” he further laments, and explains, “These outfits seem not like clothing, but like a way to show off—to attract gazes and provoke lust.”
Such gazes may lead others into sin, Archbishop Muheria is featured noting in the just under 10min audio recording published on YouTube, and continues, “As women, we must begin advising one another. If fashion today does not uphold decency, then we must not follow it blindly.”
“Women have a unique responsibility to bring honour to the community. If a young girl wears a torn dress or clothing that reveals too much, if it draws attention in the wrong way, then that is not appropriate attire,” he says.
In the audio recording published on YouTube with the title “Tujadiliane na Vijana Wete” (Let’s dialogue with our youths), Archbishop Muheria goes on to urge parents to be on the front line in promoting decent dressing. He says, “Take time to speak with your children, from the little ones to the youth. Teach them why it is important to respect themselves, to wear clothes that uphold dignity.”
“Let us not seek to show off or take pride in a covered nakedness that still reveals too much. I pray that God restores dignity in our lives. Ultimately, when we respect ourselves, God will surely bless us, and then, cleanliness of soul, of body, and thought will dwell in us, along with the blessings of Almighty God,” Archbishop Muheria is featured saying in the just under 10min audio recording.
He calls for a return to Christian discipline. “Today, I ask that we pray to God. Just as Jesus once entered the temple and drove out those selling without honor, may He also cleanse our hearts from the desire to parade our bodies before others,” Archbishop Muheria says.
“May Christ remove this temptation and cast it away, so that we can restore dignity—both in how we dress for church and in how we present ourselves in public,” he implores.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
