Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of the Catholic Archdiocese of Freetown has condemned tribal favoritism, warning that this national vice is now affecting the Church itself.

In a homily delivered during the Lenten Pilgrimage on Sunday, March 17th, Archbishop Charles lamented that church leadership positions are being denied to individuals based solely on their tribal affiliation.

He called tribalism a sin that demands confession. “Obedience to God’s will,” he declared to pilgrims gathered in Regent, “requires us to renounce tribalism. It goes against God who created all people in his image, regardless of tribe, nationality, race, or moral standing.”

” In our country, obedience to the will of God and to his radical command to love all men, women, and children, without regard for their tribe, nationality, race or moral status, requires that we renounce tribalism as a sin against God who created all men and women in his own image and likeness,” he told pilgrims at Regent in the Archdiocese of Freetown.

Archbishop Charles expressed deep concern that “the sin of tribalism is rearing its ugly head” within the Church. He pointed out the disturbing trend of individuals being excluded from leadership positions simply because they belong to a different tribe, perceived as outsiders.