By Africa 24 newsman
Pastors from various Churches in Kenema district have expressed serious dissatisfaction over the ban of churches for a female secret society in Kenema town.
They described the act as sinful with a deliberate action to debar Christians from attending their Sunday services.
Information from the ground has stated that the issue is serious which it requires attention from both government and international bodies.
Christians have exhibited serious resistance and have described the current action by the secret society as sinful; an act aiming to seize the freedom of movement and expressions of people.
The Body of Christ of Kenema has extended serious complaint to the Inter Religious Council and government of a plan of resurgence of the “Kayndu” female tradition procession on Sunday 19th May, 2024 (PENTECOST SUNDAY).
According to the Body of Christ, the undersigned representatives of the Body of Christ in Kenema which includes KCPC, PFSL, KCC, Wailing-Women, Praying Women, Emerging Women, EPFK, and the Inter Religious Council, issued a statement.
“ We write to you with deep concern regarding the planned resurgence of the “Kayndu” traditional procession in Kenema city.”
The Body of Christ said the practice was banned from processing on Sundays by the late Paramount chief PC Alhaji Amara Vangahun and the Women’s Leader late Haja Massah Kaisamba in the presence of the church leaders in Kenema.
Historically, the body of Christ went to the “Kayndu” tradition and it said it had imposed severe restrictions on township activities, including a complete halt to all movement from 6: am – 12: pm.
They said allegedly the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone is behind the planned Sunday procession.
The Kenema body of Christ said this restriction poses a direct threat to their constitutionally guaranteed rights, noting that their freedom of movement and to practice their religion without interference has been curtailed.
He further said that a city that holds Sunday as a sacred day of worship sees any obstruction to their ability to congregate and perform their religious practices as unacceptable.
And so they wish to remind the authorities that: “Freedom of Worship is guaranteed in the Constitution of Sierra Leone.”
“Every citizen is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion,” they quoted the constitution.
This includes the right to manifest and practice one’s religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice, and observance.
He went on that Freedom of Movement is provided in the constitution.
“The constitution also guarantees the freedom of movement, allowing citizens to move freely throughout the country and to reside in any part thereof.”
“Freedom of Association says that citizens have the right to freely associate and assemble,” they said, adding that this is integral to their communal worship and practices.
They, therefore, firmly oppose the re-introduction of the “Kayndu” tradition on Sundays especially with the upcoming Sunday 19th May 2024 which is very important as it is one of the most important Christian date in their Christian calendar.
And so they believe that disregarding this annual commemoration of the descent of the holy spirit is a total disregard and disrespect of their Christian faith and it infringes upon the above fundamental rights.
“We kindly appeal to the authorities to reconsider and halt any plans that will prevent us from exercising our religious freedoms and disrupt our regular Sunday worship.”
“We appeal to your office and all concerned authorities to recognize and respect our rights,” they said.