Faithfuls offended by Duale's Comment on Catholic Church

Garissa Town Member of Parliament (MP) Aden Duale comment regarding the Catholic Church during an interview with Citizen TV has sparked  fuss among  Christian faithfuls and politicians

Duale was speaking about his former political party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) when he made the comment on Wednesday, August 11.

The legislator said he left the party in 2009 because members were not given the freedom of thought and expression, likening it to a cult and the Catholic church hierarchy, which is headed by the Pope.

Duale stated, "ODM is a cult, nobody can speak. It's like the Catholic church," thereby sparking reactions from many Kenyans.

In a public statement, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna demanded, "As an ODM life member and fully baptized and confirmed member of the Catholic Church, I take great exception to the comparison by Duale of these institutions with cults. Duale must apologize and forthwith respect each one's freedom of association and worship."

Ronoh Cornelius complained, "Garissa Town MP Aden Duale must apologize to the Catholic Church and fast for 40 days."

"Roman Catholic Church is the oldest monotheistic religion bar Judaism. Islam & Protestantism are its offshoots. That my friend Aden Duale syncs ODM, a temporal political body & my Church, an ecclesiastical body is heretical to the largest body of believers in Kenya & the world," lawyer Donald Kipkorir remarked.

Duale, who is a Muslim, responded by saying his comments were addressed to ODM and not to the church.

"My remark was in reference to the ODM party and not the Catholic Church as a cult. I have tremendous respect for the Catholic Church and its elaborate structures. I am a man of faith who respects all the teachings of other religions, " the former Majority Leader tweeted.

According to a section of Kenyans, the comment was an insult that not only targeted ODM Party leader Raila Odinga but also President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is a Catholic faithful.