‘Yes’ vote bad for Kenya, say Catholic bishops

The Catholic Church on Thursday renewed its calls for the rejection of the proposed constitution, warning that a ‘Yes’ vote would endanger the nation.

At a press conference, Nairobi archbishop John Cardinal Njue defended the church’s stand, particularly on the abortion clause, saying it was a moral and not a political one.

The duty of the church, he said, was to warn Kenyans of the dangers the proposed law posed.

“We fulfil our mission by trying to explain to you the dangers posed by the proposed constitution. We pray that you will choose life, so that you and your generations may live,” Cardinal Njue said.

He warned that the church would not accept any law that seeks to terminate life, hence its opposition to the proposed constitution.

Cardinal Njue, who read a letter signed by all Catholic bishops, accused the Committee of Experts of failing to incorporate the views of the church and the majority of Kenyans when formulating the clause on the right to life.

“Abortion is not good for our country, and the majority of Kenyans do not want abortion in this country.

“It has been introduced in this process contrary to the majority’s wish, making the proposed law an undemocratic document,” said the cardinal.

During the meeting with journalists at the Holy Family Basilica, Cardinal Njue also said that the document undermined African and Christian values by providing an opening for gay marriages.

The church objects to the section of Article 26, which empowers “trained health professionals” to end a pregnancy if it endangers the mother’s life or she needs emergency treatment.

Christian leaders are also opposed to the retention of kadhi courts in the proposed constitution under Article 169 and 170, which limit their authority to disputes over personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance, where all the parties are Muslims and agree to take the case to a kadhi.

On Thursday, Cardinal Njue said that the proposed constitution ought to treat all religions equally. “We have no problem with our Muslim brothers and sisters exercising their religious freedom.

“All we wish is that it be done in equity, by pursuing what has been done the world over, through an Act of Parliament,” he said.