WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (WJSS)
ISSN: 2504 – 9232
Volume 3, No. 1, March 2018
Pages 149-165
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/8102.30.0190
THE CHURCH AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA
LAZARUS BARIBIAE SAALE
Abstract
This study examined the role of the Church in the re-injection of morality and ethics into the fight against corruption. It also explored the causes of church passivity and inadequacy in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. The study used Max Weber’s framework of functional-structuralism in which there is little or no separation between religion, morality, ethics and state, but all contributing together towards achieving a whole. Also, it has adopted the instrumentalist approach which sought for a causal relationship between complex social phenomena and corruption. Findings from the study revealed the attempts made at separating religion from morality, personal and social morality, state functions and ecclesial missions as false dichotomy. Religion remains the source of morality. Church role appeared passive and inadequate considering public expectations and demands for a fall in the rate of corruption in the country. The Church does not fight corruption with carnal weapons instead it engagaes members in a spiritual warfare; while exercising patience with corrupt persons, desiring to see them return to God. The church in its attempt to meet public expectations appears hypocritical: speaking against corrupt practices perpetrated by public officials in Nigeria without first fighting against the corruption within. This study argued that both the Church and theState must fight corruption through moral re-injection and moral regeneration. The role of the Church in fighting corruption in Nigeria wiil be effective when it start the fight from within as things are so twisted in Nigeria; teaching members how to be simple and straight forward in the way they do things with others.
Keywords: Church, Fight, Corruption, Nigeria.