Speaking after presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Members of Parliament on August 14, 2024, President Kagame challenged the public to consider the legitimacy of these establishments before questioning their closure.
"What is this issue with churches? People immediately start making noise, saying, 'They are closing churches.' But did you first ask yourself, 'How were these churches even established?' What is the purpose of having thousands of churches? What is wrong with Rwandans? But I think it's a problem with being African. We Africans really have issues," he remarked.
President Kagame emphasized that the energy Rwandans should use to address their challenges is being misdirected toward activities that drain their economic resources, leading to poverty and hunger.
"The energy we should be using to solve our daily problems that ensure our security, improve our economy, and prevent hunger among Rwandans is being wasted on such things..."
He reminded the MPs and Rwandans in general that past discussions had underscored the importance of investing efforts in activities that contribute to national development.
"Now, you as Rwandans, you Members of Parliament sitting here, besides being MPs, do you feel justified in having a church in your backyard? You are an MP, a pastor, and you have a church, and then people are paying. How come that even those deprived of income-generating activities have to find money to bring to you!"
President Kagame expressed concern that some churches in Rwanda were established with the primary intent of siphoning off the limited wealth of Rwandans for the benefit of their founders, which he strongly opposed.
He illustrated his point by highlighting the absurd claims made by some pastors, such as receiving divine apparitions or making prophecies.
"First of all, if you tell me such things, I would first ask if you are insane. That's where I would startâ€"you must be insane. Secondly, I would demand proof; show me evidence of your encounter with God and what He told you. But Rwandans, how have you reached a point where a deviated person comes to mislead you, and you follow them, not just in one place but across hundreds, thousands of locations?"
President Kagame cautioned that when Rwandans follow such "insane" individuals, the country's progress is jeopardized. While he acknowledged the long-standing practices of churches, he made it clear that he would not tolerate disorder.
"But other nonsense, when it finds grown, mature people, and someone comes to mislead the whole country and hold it hostage, and you follow them? [...] How come that educated people, VVIPs, get deceived by a madman, and you follow, without asking, 'Where are you taking me?'"
The President referenced recent incidents in other countries, such as the tragic case in Kenya where pastors prohibited their followers from eating, resulting in deaths. He questioned whether this was the path Rwandans wanted to take.
"Is that what you want to live in? You are here, representing the people who elected you. Is this what you are involved in? If you want to be pastors, leave Parliament and become pastors. But before becoming pastors, with all that involves deceiving people with prophecies, why not first prophesize for yourself and know your own future? This even extends into politicsâ€"it's like misleading people, infiltrating their minds, and changing how they think and act."
President Kagame reaffirmed that churches must comply with legal requirements, warning that any non-compliant entities, especially those exploiting people under the guise of religion, would be shut down.
"Those that do not comply with the law should not exist. I heard some say, 'The President probably doesn't know. Closing churches is a sin.' I know. I don't want this disorder, even if it's in religions, I won't tolerate it. I will fight it.'
He urged Members of Parliament to collaborate with other institutions in guiding Rwandans toward the right path, insisting that pastors who seek to exploit the limited resources of the people should be stopped unequivocally.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kagame-slams-exploitation-of-the-public-in-the-name-of-religion
