Bishop Kawas Advocates for Politics in Religious Leadership

On 15 September 2026, Bishop Leonard Kawas, President of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, defended the involvement of religious leaders in politics, asserting that political participation is a lawful activity for engaging with society. He argued that religious leaders should not rely solely on tithes and offerings but engage in legitimate businesses to support vulnerable members of society.

Kawas highlighted his ministry's charitable activities, including providing hundreds of bags of rice to widows and supporting around 600 orphans through a free education initiative. He referenced biblical teachings, specifically Apostle Paul’s message in Acts 20:35, to support his view that religious leaders should work to sustain themselves and assist those in need.

Kawas criticized the concept of "full-time ministry," claiming it leads to financial dependency, and stated that his political involvement should not be viewed merely as a pursuit of financial gain, as his organization also engages in humanitarian activities.