Why do some flock loath their shepherds?
In the early years of foreign religion in Uganda, the relationship between spiritual leaders and their followers was one of patronage on one hand and awe on the other. Along the way, due to political divisions allegedly promoted by religious leaders, their humanity became evident. They were no longer second to God, as we once thought. Gradual disdain led to the erosion of the tremendous awe some of their followers had for them.
Legend has it that one morning, in Kabale town, a man carrying two jerry cans of muramba (local beer) took it upon himself to create a shortcut in a church compound. Around the same time, the church’s lay leader decided to take a breather. They met at the church door, their eyes fixed on each other. One pair immediately filled with righteous anger. The other exhibited fear, like a deer trapped in headlights. The lay leader immediately ordered his parishioner to empty the jerry cans in the grass. The poor man pleaded that beer sales put food on his table: couldn’t he keep, at least, one jerry can?
To cut the story short, the lay leader had his way. That was back in the 1970s but even then; the fact that the man could carry alcohol near a church, let alone reason with a lay leader was a bold step. For centuries, enlightenment has been the plague of religion and in this modern era, education has worsened the situation of some religious leaders. People are more assertive nowadays.
Behavioral issues
Among Pentecostals the flock is referred to as ‘sheep’, however, there is nothing docile about Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, USA. Juan McFarland, the former pastor, stunned his church when he demanded that they buy him a Mercedes Benz, but they complied. Then in September 2014, he revealed that he was suffering from HIV. He also intimated that he had had sex with ‘sisters’ on church property, misused the tithe, and used illegal drugs. That day’s sermon was on forgiveness. But he misjudged the speechless congregation. When the surprise wore off, they run him out of the church.
Rev. Fredrick Semazzi, secretary general of National Fellowship of Born-again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda (NFBPC), says instead of overreacting the flock should report their grievances to doctrine committees that are at every sub-country level. “A pastor will be given a chance to defend himself and if their issues are not resolved the dispute is taken though the levels up to the secretariat.” By this time, it is assumed the pastor will have seen the error of his ways. However, most Pentecostal churches are personal properties, so besides leaving the church, what other option is there?
A week after he was ousted, McFarland returned to the pulpit, filled with the Holy Spirit, claiming that he had a lifetime contract to pastor his church. Semazzi says that when a pastor refuses to heed their mediation, “we encourage the flock to pray since it is clear that evil spirits are working to destroy his ministry. They should not abandon the church. With time he will change, because we believe that people do not remain rebellious for long.”
That kind of patience is not for everyone. The faithful of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church took their pastor to court and in December 2014 the ruling explicitly ordered him to stay away from the church.
Ego clashes
The Very Rev. Michael Mukhwana, Provost, All Saints’ Cathedral Kampala says religious leaders should not to be imposing. “Times have changed and current world views have influenced the congregation’s reactions to dictatorial clergy.” What began as mummers of disgruntlement boiled over when the ummah (faithful) of a mosque in Ntinda, Kampala terminated the services of their Imam. They accused him of sabotaging the development of the mosque with the intention of selling it. Some claimed he had actually sold it, which wouldn’t have been such a bad thing, according to them, if only he had done it with their approval.
Al Hajji Nsereko Mutumba, public relations officer, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), says that the faithful have the right to oust an unsatisfactory Imam. “We do not appoint Imams. The ummah choose their Imams. If there is a dispute, he must defend himself before the County Sheikh.” The UMSC constitution does not have a provision for an unemployed Imam. If he has been ousted, he is encouraged to try his hand at another profession, although according to Mutumba, this may soon change with a constitutional amendment.
It was, probably, with this in mind that the Imam in Ntinda removed the prayer mats he had previously donated to the mosque.
The need for change
“In towns, youths make up the bulk of our congregations and they are inquisitive and exposed,” admits Mukhwana. “They have attended lively services in other churches yet in some of our churches clapping and playing drums is still a thorny issue.” At St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe those who strictly follow the liturgy also frown upon the spontaneity of some prayer intercessors. They reason that the Church Fathers, in their wisdom, wrote down prayers to cover every possible situation.
“As a compromise, and not to alienate the older generation, the church has instituted different services to cater to the needs of the age groups,” says Mukwhana.
The problem of age
A young congregation with an elderly leader is a recipe for disaster, and almost broke up a church in Entebbe. The youth were tired of being preached to in the same way. Sermons were laced with anecdotes of the pastor’s stay abroad in the 1970s. That’s okay you might think, but try listening to the same joke ten years in a row. Whenever they got the chance, the youth preached revolution. Instead of pleading with God, read Him the riot act – in tongues, and give Him a deadline. Naturally, they were accused of spreading a wrong doctrine – a helpful tag for embattled pastors – and their activities reined in.
In Bugolobi, an elderly cleric of the Anglican faith, seeking additional income, wrote a book on marriage, making it a compulsory buy for every intending couple. That the price was high was not the issue. It just provided an opportunity to the congregation, who penned a dossier on his poor people skills to the diocese, leading to his eventual transfer. Mukhwana insists that Christians have no right to sit in judgment of their priests. “It disempowers them. Instead, they should appeal to the Archdeacon for mediation. When this fails, it becomes a disciplinary issue that demands that the tribunal seats to use their discretion to move the priest to another parish as they assess the situation.”
When you only look for faults in your spiritual leader you will definitely see them. Religious leader’s families are noticed and judged regularly, their purchases scrutinized overtly, and their words weighted constantly. They constantly feel under pressure to perform year-in year-out to an ever questioning congregation.
Background
Bishop Benjamin Ojwang: He refused to go into early retirement and on Christmas day, 2014, All Saints Cathedral in Kitgum District was almost empty in protest. In January he sued Church of Uganda for seeking to remove him from office unlawfully. His flock once interrupted a church service, forcing him out and locking the doors.
Sheikh Yunus Kamoga: In 2014, a section within the Tabliq Community passed a vote of no confidence in their leader, accusing him of dictatorship. He was also accused of glorifying ignorance by using illiterates to decide on Islamic matters. However, his supporters said, at the time, that he was not ready to hand over office.
Late Bishop Ernest Shalita : When he sought retirement in 2001, he recommended Rev. Canon David Sebuhinja as his successor. However, Head of Laity, Philemon Mateke, refused to accept this appointment. Rowdy flock stoned Shalita’s car as he drove to Sesene Cathedral on Christmas Day. They also placed needles in his seat just before he started a service.
Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana: His flock wanted a Mukiga to head Kabale Diocese. He was accused of favoring Banyarwanda. The Vatican rejected their pleas for a new bishop but eventually he requested to be transferred and they sent Rt. Rev. Robert Marie Gay, a Canadian, to replace him. In 2003, they finally got a Mukiga in Bishop Callistus Rubaramira.
(Rtd) Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze: Threatening to abandon the Anglican faith, a section of Christians in Busoga Dioceses accused him of harboring UPC tendencies and lacking transparency. At some point, they hurled stones at him.
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