Is the Catholic Church ‘user friendly’?

Most readers should already be thinking ‘negatively’ about what this article is all about, especially given the history of Rwanda. But alas, the angle today is very different; we are talking of a church that is liked by many, due to a number of reasons. The Catholic Church is the largest in Rwanda and also commands the largest following in the country. A child grows to find the parents already committed to a certain religion and by virtue of his/her age, he or she adopts to it. “I do not imagine myself deserting the Catholic Church. My father and mother have always cherished the religion,” said Eric Musoni, an NGO employee in Kigali. That is how the Catholic and Anglican Churches actually work on their followers. It is therefore not easy for one to think of leave the Church at an older age. The mushrooming churches or sects as some people may like to call them, have faced resistance based on such a background. “My wife belongs to the Restoration Church. She has been trying to convince me to join her church but I find it difficult to adapt to the new environment. The way they pray, dance, confess, etc is indeed peculiar, too peculiar that it scares me away,” observes Jean Marie Kayibanda, a fashion designer and father of four. After the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, some Catholics contemplated changing religion because of how the church behaved during the bad times. You know Nuns, Priests, Monsignors, etc, were deeply embroiled in the genocide- this is a matter on record. This background therefore turned away many to the advantage of the emerging new churches. The only hindrance is the capacity to adapt. A long time Catholic will find it unacceptable to go in front of Christians and confess his or her sins, unlike the ‘Savedees’. While it may seem normal for those in the new churches to dance and jump as they praise Jesus Christ and probably God, it will look weird for a catholic who is used to bend low and pray in silence. In fact, new converts from churches like the Catholic Church will remind you of the famous great actor in the movie known as Mr. Bean. When it comes to standing and dancing as people sing, you will see such people clapping their hands passively, without knowing what to exactly do. They turn all sides to copy what others are doing, yet they remain unconvinced that they are doing the right thing. Such a situation creates psychological discomfort to the extent that a new convert will decide to stay home some Sundays or Saturdays, depending on the religion’s day of prayer, with funny excuses. Another thing that the Catholics find very difficult when they change religion, let us say to the Restoration church, is doing away with Wine. Catholics are free to take any type of alcohol and remain respected members of the church, while in the other churches, you may immediately be excommunicated. This is a very big difference. Also, whereas a Catholic Bishop may take a beer or two any time he feels like, tasting alcohol would be like the greatest crime for priests in the other churches. Such is the contrast that has kept historical Catholics away from the new Churches. It further explains, partly, why the Catholic Church has enjoyed the monopoly in the open market. Human beings are tricky animals that will never stop to claim freedom. Anything that infringes their freedom is never welcome, which is why we have seen many rotating in the churches failing to choose the one they identify themselves well with. It should be remembered that not all that attend church services are indeed committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am not judging any, but research has shown that many of them are part timers or routine attendants. Part timers therefore would want to go for a less demanding environment-the Catholic Church in this case is the most ‘user friendly’ compared to the new emerging ones. ‘Church owners’ should thus think of revising their projects if they are to compete with the popular Catholic Church. Contact: mugitoni@yahoo.com