WESTERN PROVINCE RUBAVU — Church leaders should play a critical role in the implementation of various government policies, a district official has said. Martin Habimana, Rubavu District officer in charge of good governance called on clergies to be involved in government initiative by encouraging their followers to offer their physical and moral support. Habimana, while meeting church leaders recently, said the church leaders can influence their flock. The meeting that took place at Gisenyi Cultural Centre aimed to discuss the role of churches in the implementation of government policies. It was a result of a recent decision by teachers who subscribe to Jehovah witnesses’ faith to boycott civic education training which is locally referred to as ‘itorero,’ organized for all teachers countrywide. “You should play a big role towards the country’s development because you meet many people who respect your stand and that of opinion leaders. You need to encourage and rally them towards supporting and implementing the good government developmental policies for the good of our country,” Habimana said. He explained that there was nothing wrong for the church leaders to get involved in government policy because “even Jesus Christ said give Caesar what belongs to him.” By this, Habimana continued, Jesus meant both Caesar’s and spiritual activities were all important for man’s existence. Jerome Byukusenge, the district finance officer also echoed Habimana. He called for close cooperation between the church leaders and the district authority towards various activities such as building houses for the Genocide survivors, contributing towards the building of more health centres, helping widows and orphans, among other things. Byukusenge thanked church leaders who have come up to do charity work in the district such as constructing houses for the genocide survivors. “There are many issues you should discuss with your followers, unity and reconciliation, love for one another, participation in the maintenance of security in their communities, importance of family planning, umuganda, encouraging residents to register for health insurance among others,” he said. He added that as Christians, they had to live an obedient and hard working life so as to act as role models to their respective communities. Ends
