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Bishop Leonard Kawas has defended the involvement of religious leaders in politics, saying political participation is among the lawful activities through which members of his religious organisation engage with society.
Kawas, President of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said religious leaders should not depend solely on tithes and offerings but should also engage in legitimate businesses that can help them support vulnerable members of society.
He cited his ministry’s charitable activities, including assistance to widows and educational support for orphans.
According to him, his ministry gives out hundreds of bags of rice to widows and supports hundreds of children through a free education initiative.
“We do business. And politics, politics is one of the businesses that we do.”
Kawas said his position was informed partly by the biblical principle that religious leaders should work and support those in need.
He cited Apostle Paul’s teaching in Acts 20:35, saying religious leaders should be able to support themselves and help vulnerable people rather than depend entirely on offerings.
The bishop said the international and national charismatic bishops’ organisations were opposed to what he described as “full-time ministry” because it could leave religious leaders financially dependent.
“Full-time ministry has led to beggarly ministry.”
He explained that some pastors and bishops could struggle to meet their responsibilities when tithes and offerings were insufficient.
“And that is why we believe that men of God should also be gainfully engaged in any other lawful businesses that can empower them to take care of the poor.”
Kawas said his personal charitable activities demonstrated his commitment to supporting people beyond political considerations.
“Every Sunday, including last Sunday, I gave out 240 bags of rice to the widows.”
He also said he had about 600 orphans on his list benefiting from various aspects of his free education initiative.
Kawas maintained that his political involvement should therefore not be viewed simply through the lens of financial gain, saying his organisation had participated in political campaigns while also carrying out humanitarian activities.
