Democracy fuels ethnic, chieftaincy disputes- Rev.

Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose, President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, at the weekend, observed that the benefits of the country's democratic dispensation are being marginalised by the ethnic sentiments and chieftaincy disputes that characterise the partisan nature of the process.

"Democracy and partisan politics have fuelled and continue to fuel ethnic sentiments among our people," he stressed. Rev. Fayose made the observation when he addressed the 3rd congregation of the Global Theological Seminary (GTS) in Accra, which involved 123 graduates with 12 of them being women. .. The seminary, which was established by the Global Evangelical Church in 1991, has trained more than 150 pastors. Rev. Fayose said mankind was living in a fragmented and polarised world, adding that the media today, bore chilling stories of war, terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

"It is disturbing that the church is equally.polarised," he said, adding that, "we do missions in disjointed and disunited ways: divisions in the churches are assuming scandalous proportions". Rev. Fayose expressed concern about the unjust world economic order, which benefited a few and left many impoverished. He said it was easy for millions of people to fund party politics and provide lavish life styles for political leaders, but difficult to find the same number fighting HIV/AIDS, providing basic health care and portable water for the populace.

Pastors, he said, had become local agents of exploitation rather than the voice for the marginalised and the oppressed. "Live above board because whatever you do affects not only you but the entire body of Christ," he said. Rev. Fayose told the congregants to be faithful stewards of Christ.

"We live in a contemporary plural religion milieu where pastoral ministry demand high level of faithful stewardship." Rev. Prof. Elom Dovlo, Director of Studies asked the graduates to be loyal to God and put all that they learnt into practice. Dr. (Mrs) Kafui Etsey, Chair person of the ceremony said, women should take up the challenge to serve as pastors, evangelists and catechists.

She challenged the graduates to humble themselves and promote dialogue in solving problems. "Listen to the people and guard against division," she said.