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Corruption a disaster, warns Bishop Kilaini
2008-03-22 10:07:27
By Simon Mhina
The Catholic Church in Tanzania has said it sees the ongoing grand corruption scandals as a disaster out to wreak havoc on the country`s social and economic development.
Methodius Kilaini, Auxiliary Bishop of the church`s Dar es Salaam Diocese, made remarks to that effect at a Good Friday mass held at national level at Mburahati Parish in the city yesterday.
Delivering a summon to mark the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ a little over 2,000 years ago, the bishop cited excessive greed for wealth as the source of corruption in corridors of power and the public service generally.
He said the Church was deeply concerned over the cases of corruption in the government system ``that are perpetuated by a few people propelled by a mad desire to get wealth too quickly``.
Like several other religious leaders before him, Bishop Kilaini called on all those culprits implicated in the reported massive theft or misuse of public funds to repay the money with interest.
He said it was indefensible for the culprits to continue leading sumptuous lives made possible by corruption while millions of ordinary law-abiding citizens made do with no more than a single meal a day that was often far from decent.
The staggering amounts of public funds embezzled could be used in ensuring that the people had easy access to vital facilities and services in the health, education, health, transport and other sectors.
``Many people have been dying in our hospitals and other health facilities just because they are too poor to afford even the cheapest of drugs and other medical supplies,`` observed the bishop.
He made a fervent call to government officials and other public servants to go about their duties and responsibilities with exemplary trustworthiness, humility and care particularly when it came to the use of public funds.
Public officials should seek to learn from the life of Jesus Christ and ``assume the responsibility of helping make the world and its people better``.
``What are you going to do with all that money you are embezzling?`` Bishop Kilaini asked rhetorically, adding that money acquired through foul means was dirty and illegal wealth and was the wrong way to plan to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
He likened those embezzling public funds or misusing assistance meant for poor people and orphans to the biblical Judah Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ after being bribed.
Commenting on the spate of vicious killings of albinos reported in different parts of the country in recent months, the bishop said that was yet another serious challenge facing the nation. He linked the wave to a ``senseless pursuit for dirty money and illegal wealth``.
He stated that all those behind such criminal acts to turn their ears to the word of God and lead normal lives.
``This is a curse. People should stop doing it,`` stated Bishop Kilaini, calling on the Church to pray hard for the end of ``all this grand corruption and barbaric behaviour in our country”.
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