Church leaders continue efforts to tackle corruption

Carrying forward the momentum from last year's engagement against corruption in church and society, leaders from across the country, regardless of denomination came together once again to advance the progress and acknowledge the fight for justice continues.

The Oct. 4-5 gathering in Bangalore focused on interaction between participants along with exhortations from guest speakers.

The participants included bishops, pastors and leaders from leading denominations including the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, CNI, CSI, the Assemblies of God, the Indian Pentecostal Church, among others.

Some of the issues raised underlined the need for spiritual renewal in the area of financial integrity, training and teaching of young leaders and looking into the structural and governance issues causing financial corruption.

The event was a follow-up to last year's gathering of 51 top church leaders, theologians and NGO representatives who conversed on how the church at large can lead the way against corruption.

Titled "Operation Nehemiah", the event was managed and facilitated by Transition Network, a group of Christian businessmen and professionals. Speakers included Bishop Efraim Tendero, National director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, composed of 20,000 Evangelical churches; Dr Roberto Laver, a lawyer and banker with vast global experience with faith-based NGOs; Dr Manfred Kohl, Special Ambassador for Overseas Council; and LT Jeyachandran, Director Asia Pacific for RZIM.

The gathering recalled the remarkable contribution that the "Church and her institutions have made to the development of India, besides discussing issues of financial corruption in the country and the Church".

In a 'Declaration Against Corruption', the participants committed to follow Christ's "example of justice, righteousness, humility and sacrificial service" and "be honest stewards of God-given resources".

They also concurred to work with institutions that uphold the highest standards of financial accountability and transparency and commit to encouraging awareness and vigilance regarding bribery and unethical financial practices.