PHOTO: (L-R) Sen. Darius Dillon and LCC President Rev. Samuel Reeves
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
Montserrado County Senator, Darius Dillon is not pleased with what he sees as the passive posture of Christian Churches in Liberia as regard championing against the corruption menace in the country.
He is encouraging churches to take the lead in speaking against corruption in the Liberian society, something the United States government has repeatedly said has stalled development and discouraging foreign investors.
Delivering the keynote speech at the program marking the observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day organized by the Liberia Council of Liberia in Monrovia at the weekend, Sen. Dillon criticized some churches for elevating some corrupt personalities.
He said the habit of some churches honoring personalities whose wealth is questionable and receiving huge financial donations from them is an endorsement of corruption.
Sen. Dillon, who represents the opposition Liberty Party in Liberia’s upper House, challenged the popublic to demand integrity from public officials because they are paid with taxes from the ordinary people.
According to him, churches in Liberia should be the ones to strive for integrity in all aspects of their existence because this country is facing integrity deficit.
“It is the time for the church to take lead in dishonesty and live by creed of its own moral codes unless there is no different between believe and behavior. It is the time for the church to start the promotion of integrity in the society,” the Montserrado County Senator stressed.
Sen. Dillon added: “You cannot preach that there shall not steal, but receiving huge donations from people with unquestionable earnings because the concept of open rebut is better than secret relationships with public officials who are known to be corrupt.”
He noted that the church must regain its moral voice in the fight against corruption in Liberia and this can begin by some of the churches to stop writing officials simply because these individuals have the means of contributing massively with unquestionable money and ignoring the selfless services of their own members simply they are poor.
Sen. Dillon called for collective efforts in combating corruption and appealed to the religious leaders to messages against corruption should form part of their weekly sermons and use the pupate for repentance than prosperity.
Rev. Reeves wants report on funds used for Bicentennial
In remarks, the President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Reverend Samuel Reeves, called for a report on the funds used for the Bicentennial celebrations organized by the Liberian government.
According to him, the council will continue to remain the voice against corruption in the Liberian society and called for unity among Liberians against this menace for peace, security and development.
Rev. Dr. Reeves noted that corruption is a major impediment to peace, national development and security as it affects education, health and retard human capacity growth.
“Over the years, corruption has undermined human rights and all areas of our society; because, it is intertwined with conflict, instability and political upheaval,” the LCC President stated.
Rev. Reeves, who is also President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, said that one of the causes of the prolonged civil conflict in Liberia that claimed over 250,000 lives was as a result of corruption.
“Corruption has contributed significantly to poverty, undermine the rule of law, and rendered a vast majority of the populace vulnerable as well as weaken institutions of government to fully carry out their statutory mandate,” Rev. Reeves said.
According to him, some individuals have used corrupt finances to support various armed conflicts in Liberia.
“Promoting transparency and strengthening the institutions of government are critical for sustaining the peace in the country,” the LCC President added.
The LCC Anti-Corruption program at the weekend was held under the theme: “Recover with Integrity,” and it was graced by a cross-section of leaders from Christian Churches in Liberia.