The Catholic Church will continue to intervene in social, political and economic issues with the aim of ensuring good governance despite efforts by leaders to stifle its voice.
Catholic bishops, priests and laity drawn from five African countries meeting in Nairobi said the church has a legitimate concern in issues of governance.
They said the church attaches importance on the respect of human life, the need for full human development and freedom which are the pillars of Catholic teachings.
Meeting under the African Forum for Catholic Social Teachings (Afcast), the participants, drawn from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe shared varied experiences of the church's social teachings in light of the democratisation process in Africa. Afcast has membership drawn from individual Catholics interested in the promotion of social teachings of the Church in Africa.
A member of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Anthony Njui, said Kenyans are faced with an interesting scenario of transition and succession.
However, Njui said the two should be de-linked as many fear the review process could be used to make the incumbent president eligible for re-election.
"Kanu should not be a judge of its own case as it will not be different from making the hyena pass a ruling over the goat for the goat will certainly be devoured," said Njui.
He said the clear direction on when the elections will be held will only emerge after Kanu has sorted out its succession issue.
He, however, said the election date should not be any individual's secret weapon in order to ensure competitiveness among all political parties.
Njui expressed fear that the forthcoming elections might be marred by excessive violence as it will be expected to address the twin issues of succession and transition. To stem violence, he said, the electoral code of conduct must be enforced.
Archbishop Pius Ncube from Zimbabwe said election violence has been used in many African countries to ensure the ruling parties retain power. He cited the Zimbabwe elections where he claimed President Robert Mugabe sponsored all forms of violence to ensure Zanu-PF retained power.
The Executive Director of the Undugu Society of Kenya, who is also a co-convenor of the meeting, Aloys Opiyo, said the church's social teachings have inspired many countries in East and Southern Africa towards good governance and free and fair elections.