Bishop Leonard Kawas has explained why religious leaders in his organisation take part in politics, saying political participation is one of the lawful ways they engage with society.
Kawas, President of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said religious leaders should not rely only on tithes and offerings. He said they should also run legal businesses to help them support people in need.
He pointed to his ministry’s charity work, including help for widows and free education for orphans.
Speaking on why his group endorsed Tinubu for 2027 re-election, Kawas said “We do business. And politics, politics is one of the businesses that we do.”
Kawas said the idea is also based on Apostle Paul’s teaching in Acts 20:35. He argued that religious leaders should be able to provide for themselves and help vulnerable people without depending fully on offerings.
He said the international and national charismatic bishops’ organisations oppose what he called “full-time ministry” because it can make religious leaders financially dependent.
“Full-time ministry has led to beggarly ministry.”
Kawas said some pastors and bishops may struggle when tithes and offerings are not enough.
“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.”
“Every Sunday, including last Sunday, I gave out 240 bags of rice to the widows.”
Kawas also said about 600 orphans on his list benefit from his free education programme. He maintained that his political activities should not be seen only as a way to make money, noting that his organisation has joined political campaigns while also helping people through humanitarian work.
“But for 2027, based on the issues on ground right now and based on the leading of the spirit, I and my group, we are supporting President Bola Ame Tinubu because we believe he is on the right course.”
