quarta-feira, 7 de julho de 2010

Why should churches engage to promote accountable governance?

I am convinced that the genuine participation of churches in accountable local governance is an investment in the democratic ideal. We ought to engage local government because it is our moral and constitutional obligation to do so and also because we enhance the culture of democracy born through the first democratic election of 1994. Furthermore, we are required to work together to protect the public space with the endowment of democratic participation. Churches are an immense resource, have a distinctive critical and constructive role to play in the civil discourse and their absence will leave the discourse poor and unsustainable – I would argue that society is impoverished when religious perspectives of life is excluded and marginalised. There is a great African proverb which says. “If you want to walk fast, walk alone but if you want to walk far, walk with others” hence I call for much closer cooperation and interaction with all those involved in a vision for a new society. Citizens of faith have a prior moral and legal responsibility for accountable governance – governance that protects and cares for the vulnerable, the poor, the excluded and the marginalized. The Book of Proverbs (31:8-9) puts it plainly: “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Such is our calling – no more – no less. Let us remember that the greatest gift that we can bestow upon this and the future generations is to wrestle together with the challenges of our time to build a more human and prosperoussociety
Palavra do Bispo da Igreja Metodista da RSA,
Ivan Abrahams

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