PCEA Apologizes After Priest Prevents Family Bank Officials from Delivering Funeral Tribute

The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos

PCEA Apologizes After Priest Prevents Family Bank Officials from Delivering Funeral Tribute

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) has issued an apology to the people of Kenya, and particularly to the mourners and families affected by an incident that occurred during a funeral service at Kiangai Parish.

In a statement, the church clarified that the incident was isolated and does not reflect the faith, ethos, values, or pastoral practices of the PCEA.

“We acknowledge the pain, distress, and indignity that may have affected the minister and were experienced by mourners during a moment that should have been marked by compassion, reverence, and pastoral care. For this, we are deeply sorry,” read part of the statement.

The church further stated that the matter is being addressed through appropriate ecclesiastical and disciplinary channels.

PCEA Clash with Family Bank Officials

The apology follows an incident during the burial of Joan Wangui, a Family Bank employee, in which tensions arose after a PCEA priest stopped bank officials from delivering written tributes, stating that only oral tributes were permitted in the church.

Wangui’s colleagues, including the bank’s managing director, had attended the ceremony to bid farewell to their departed colleague, hoping for a calm and peaceful send-off.

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However, drama ensued when the master of ceremonies offered them the opportunity to pay their tributes.

Phylis, Wangui’s manager at Family Bank, was the first to speak. She shared an emotional tribute, noting that her loss was personal.

 “We are here to mourn one of our own. She is deeply personal to me because when she joined the bank in 2015, she found me as her branch manager. We thank God for all the years we spent together,” Phylis said.

Afterward, Phylis invited the managing director (MD) to speak on behalf of the team, following a joint tribute.

 Before the MD could speak, the priest interrupted, stating that the PCEA church allowed only written tributes.

“In this church, we do not allow unwritten tributes. That is why I have stopped Family Bank from speaking before the elders, so that whoever speaks next can keep this in mind,” the pastor explained

Thereafter, the Managing Director highlighted that the company was there to say their final goodbyes to their colleague and requested permission from the church to sing one song in her honour.

Mourners present, however, urged the bankers to sing in defiance of the pastor’s rules.

“While we know who Family Bank is, this is the PCEA church. It’s just that today you’re seeing a female pastor, and you shout,” said the pastor

How Kenyans Reacted to the PCEA’s Apology

The pastor’s behaviour has sparked reactions among citizens on social media.

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Harrison, a Facebook user, commented, noting that reconciliation and healing should occur when the pastor takes full accountability for her mistakes.

“Reconciliation and healing begin when the perpetrator takes responsibility and offers a sincere apology. As presented, the letter lacks a personal touch and does not clearly indicate who is conveying the message on behalf of the Church, which makes it difficult for the affected parties to feel genuinely acknowledged or heard,” said Harrison

Another user stressed that in the future, burials should be held by sober ministers to avoid such occurrences.

“Can we have sober ministers in the future. This was not a political event, and let’s have a mind that is divergent,” said Gerry.

“Apologies well received. The Church is bigger than an individual. So the mistake of one clergyman should not be taken to be the failure of the entire Church. Secondly, the Reverend in the picture should not be entirely punished because possibly she had underlying issues affecting her emotionally. Let’s all forgive her and let her be warned against such incidents,”  noted Geoffry.

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This post PCEA Apologizes After Priest Prevents Family Bank Officials from Delivering Funeral Tribute first appeared on The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos and is written by Valentine Taifa