"The Church contributes to a culture of corruption", Church Historian says

Interviewed by Emmanuel F. Sanosi

 

Rev. Fr. Joseph Tangka teaches Church History at the St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui. While evaluating government's efforts in fighting corruption in Cameroon, Fr. Tangka also examines the ill from the Church's perspective, going way back to the French Revolution. He explains that although the government is not making much headway in its fight against corruption, the Church can equally be blamed to some extent, for the government's seemingly feeble efforts. Excerpts:

Father, what do you think of government's ongoing efforts to fight corruption in Cameroon?
It is important to acknowledge that some corruption problems we face in Cameroon today can be traced as far back as 1789 during the French Revolution. Many people fail to realise the importance of history in any given problem, but they must realise during the French Revolution the Church did not give full testimony on the lines of the Gospel. The marginalised civil society reacted. This must be viewed in terms of a secularist culture which was actually anti-Clerical and sought to strip society of morality. When one examines philosophers' views like Voltaire's, one sees a certain merit in concepts like tolerance, but the secularist dimension of these concepts were detrimental to the society that was being created during that period.

So where does that leave us in Cameroon today?
The link is not easily obvious to many people but it is worthy to note that France has had to struggle with an anti-Clerical situation up to the present day. It involves fighting an anti-Christian morality which has its roots in Judeo-Christian culture that reigned in Europe for a long time. France colonised part of Cameroon and the French culture and institution that we inherited is still very strong. The link is visible in a certain "Jacobin" culture which is known in French as 'Clientelism'. This culture dictates a stagnant society, thus rendering it highly vulnerable to corruption.

Are you insinuating France is to blame for corruption in Cameroon today?
Intrinsically, yes! Cameroon inherited a system from France that completely lacked a moral inclination towards religion. We are, however, not judging that culture, but simply acknowledging why the situation is the way it is.  The Church too is to blame for not setting the right example as many of her leaders continue to lead anti-Gospel lives. But, we must also give credit to those Church leaders and Christians who stand firm to Gospel values.

How do you evaluate government's efforts in fighting corruption in Cameroon today?
I am not quite conversant with what the government is doing, except for a few individuals, who I learn, have either been arrested, imprisoned or are awaiting trial. I am not sure these arrests can make the fight against corruption any better. The government really needs to be more open to wise suggestions from the Church and empower her institutions by supporting various Justice and Peace diocesan commissions which are making commendable efforts in fighting corruption, but lack the means to be more effective. Government's approach, so far, has been to single out some individuals and penalise them for a problem we are all guilty of.

What about the Lay Faithful. Do you think they can make a positive impact in this struggle?
Yes! I believe so. The Church teaches that faith can move mountains and that the Prayer of the Bishops on Corruption can be very instrumental. This prayer was said at the level of all our parishes although, at the human level, the Lay Faithful was wondering if it was worth it. The Lay Faithful, however, fail to remember that it is not us, per se, who can bring about change, but we must, nevertheless, continue to make our own contributions towards solving the problem. That prayer has had a powerful impact and who knows if it is not because of it that the government is even making feeble efforts arresting a few individuals once considered 'untouchable'. The Lay Faithful has a vital and even pivotal role to play in fighting corruption, not only through prayers but especially in their daily interactions and wherever they find themselves.

Comments

[G Agbor]

Religious leaders, not just Roman Catholic leaders, have a duty to speak out against wrongs of government and society. Education is not just from school - it comes from the religious leaders and also from the home. Sadly it seems to be lacking in some quarters...and it is accepted nowadays that immorality and greed are normal ways for society...and so everyone just turns blind eyes to it all. Shameful but I believe that one day each person guilty of staying quiet when they see or know wrongs happening before their eyes will reap what they sow...Everyone who has the right to a voice should use it well for the sake of those who cannot stand up for themselves against evil doers.

"First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me." Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)