Stemming corruption begins within religious institutions

The President of Uganda recently launched the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in addition to the already existing policing tools to stem corruption. But, given the systemic build-up of the vice, since the early 1970s, coupled with the political ploy of weakening institutions, one may be forgiven for being apprehensive about its helpfulness.
Traditionally, Ugandans have cherished values such as honesty, love for neighbours, community spirit and others. Today, such values have been overtaken by individualism, selfishness, bribery, embezzlement, hoarding of wealth, dishonesty, ethnicity and favouritism, among others vices. Corruption has been imbedded within the culture. Its effects cut across the various strata of the society: economic, education, political, social and, even, religious.

Open secret
Corrupt persons employ sophisticated tactics. The “not caught not guilty” maxim applies. Where the crime becomes an open secret, the case is adjourned several times until it is forgotten or hang up the line; probably the prosecutors of the crime get caught-up in the web, advised or instructed by the powers that be to keep hands off the matter. Anyone within the bureaucracy who objects may be coerced by an irresistible offer, or deny the person’s rights (such as promotion, entitlements, and so on), or by direct threat to life and even removal from office. Commissions of inquiry yield no results!
John’s ministry, in Luke 3:1-6, broke the prophetic silence of 400 years. He challenged different categories of people to quit sinning and seek righteousness (repentance). John courageously called the religious and political leaders “brood of vipers” and charged them to produce fruit that befits inner transformation.

Economy
In the socio-economic milieu, there was economic inequality in the Roman Empire. Because the economy was primarily agricultural with wealth based on the ownership of land by a small number of the wealthy elite families, poverty was widespread both in rural and urban areas. To maintain the elaborate administrative machinery, different taxes were imposed on all subjects. Consistently, the rich became richer as a result of greed. The poor, out of desperation, sometimes turned to robbery for survival.

Rather than recommending violence, riot or overthrow of existing government leaders, John insisted on moral principles in the life of the leaders so that the rest of society may be transformed. With his stern attitude and frank messages, many were baptised as a sign of change in attitude. John’s prophetic ministry and attack on corruption actually reached its climax when he courageously rebuked King Herod Antipas of adultery for marrying Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and all the other evil things he had done (Luke 3:19). He faced martyrdom.

Commercial gospel
The Church is expected to build on the foundation and legacy laid down by John, by championing the anti-corruption crusade. Pathetically, the commercialisation of the Gospel has overtaken salvation messages. This is a very perilous form of corruption. Prosperity Gospel preachers claim that the real evidence of the blessing of God depends on the amount of material a person possesses. This new breed of “cash and carry pastors”, “freelance preachers”, “pastors for hire”, “emergency pastors”, “hungry pastors” (to quote Prof Abiodun Simeon Ige of Kogi University, Nigerian), have given the Church a bad name.

Moral authority
By shamelessly sharing the loot, religious leaders lose the moral authority to correct corrupt individuals in the society.
The Church cannot be selective on what social vices to speak against and still claim to be the Church of Christ, of which John the Baptist was the forerunner. Since they enjoy the legacy of contributing to the socio-economic, political and religious emancipation of Ugandans, religious institutions will do well to combat corruption by first putting their house in order. Clergy and laity must be ready to face martyrdom.

HOT TIP
The Church cannot be selective on what social vices to speak against and still claim to be the Church of Christ, of which John the Baptist was the forerunner. Since they enjoy the legacy of contributing to the socio-economic, political and religious emancipation of Ugandans, religious institutions will do well to combat corruption by first putting their house in order.