Policy for regulating churches needed

OPINION

By Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka

Recently, media was awash with stories about the move by the government to introduce a policy that would see Religious Based Organisations or churches being regulated.

This attracted mixed reactions from church leaders, politicians and other members of public with some supporting it while others opposed the idea.

However, I believe that much as the policy may be needed, there several emerging issues, that need to be taken care of.

Among others is the need for more time given for consultation of the stakeholders Otherwise; a lot may be left out for the good of everybody. And it is observed that many stakeholders are ignorant about the forth coming policy, yet it will affect everybody and all sectors.

The whole process must depend on the participating approach involving all Stakeholders for their input, ownership and acceptability and adjustment.

By the fact that this developing policy/ concept is concerning the faith matters, it's very emotive and sensitive, therefore I suppose that all faith leaders must be consulted and work together for the common good, if it must be achieved.

In the same line, this is the first of its kind. This calls for clear understanding and acceptance from the development to promulgation if it is to bind for efficiency and effective Implementation.

There is need for more time, and enlighten before it's presented to the Parliament. This will help all stakeholders to have pertinent knowledge and assimilation of this policy.

I suppose that as this policy is developing, the stake holders should drive it other than the government. However, the government should do the supervisory role, as stake holders themselves are guided to organize it. This may call for a cross-sectional committee or commission that will have members from all faith Organization, to sit together and handle religious emerging issues, together, in mutual respect and collaboration.

Another point of consideration is that; during registration process as suggested by the policy, we all need to agree on an Institutional frame works will ensure justice, transparency, efficient and effective Registration for justice and Integrity.

As I think of registration of churches, we suppose that minimum requirements must not be in form of physical structures such as Buildings since many churches have not constructed their church buildings.

In any cases, let the minimum requirements be agreed upon by all the national religious leaders. This will create a scenario, where no faith is suppressed for selfish motives.

Different church leaders under the Umbrella of Christian Ecumenical Council of Uganda (CECU) this week met the state minister for ethics and Integrity Fr. Simon Lokodo. They requested to know how to participate and forward their suggestions as stake holders as the directorate is setting up a Road map to the National Policy.

CECU is a registered body, an umbrella, which brings together Churches that are not recognized by the Uganda joint Christian Council (UJCC).

The body brings together as Churches that live together in Love of Christ and Respect of each other's mission of Evangelism.

Churches, on this board are; Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC), Orthodox Anglican Church (OAC), World Wide Anglican Church(WAC), Charismatic Episcopal Church(CEC), Brazillian Catholic Apostolic Church(CAB), Universal Peace Federation(UPF) and Anglo Catholic Church(ACC).                          

I am the current chairman of CECU and we have the council of Bishops, and Executive Committee for leadership. We have a role in promotion of Spiritual and Moral values in our Churches as well as the society at large.

Like other religious institutions, we have enrolled education, Health care sectors, community development and many other social services in the areas where we exist as churches.

Like the so-called Traditional Churches, we also have formal established structures, and with Rules and Regulations, under which we Operate, and direct our Churches; we are spread throughout the country and we are working for the salvation of souls. And we support the entire government program and promote human dignity.

Having heard what has been going on in the media, and what is discussed in different churches, about the developing concept, we made consultation with this office of the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity in January this year.

We learnt that there's only consultation paper. This means that some stake holders have been consulted, as per the concept. CECU, being a true Stakeholder, and has not been consulted, we opted to seek an opportunity for it.

We could not trust and base on media for any development since quite often many issues are sharpened during media reporting. We all needed to get facts, contemplate, and then contribute to the developing policy.

There is an urgent need of Regulatory policy, but we need to know clearly how this will Impact our services and existence.

Due to lack of harmony among the religious bodies, friction between them and State, it is paramount that a policy may be of great Help. However, we absolutely need due consultation for amicable development and support from all the Stake holders.

Our fears on the policy

It is given by our constitution Article 29 (1) (c), provides "Every person shall have the right to freedom to practice any religion and manifest such practice which shall include the right to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious body or Organisation in a manner consistent with this constitution."

With the supreme law in place, the so-called Traditional Churches have gone on suppressing other Churches and this has caused lot hatred and disharmony among the faith based Organisations that we can even term them as Religious Wars. Yet we all seemingly know the holocaust they brought to this continent of Africa.

So as the policy develops, this must be considered that there should not be any suppression at whatever ground from the ‘giant' denominations. We all need peace and harmony to operate effectively.

Lastly but also very important, the communication to all the religious and Faith Based Organization' leaders, onto every step of development as well as acquisition of their contribution and ideas is absolutely necessary.

The writer is the chairman of Christian Ecumenical Council of Uganda (CECU) and Bishop of Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC).