Videos by Raymond O L U S E S A N Aina
The volumes deal with current realities (doctrinal, pastoral, moral, social) in Post-Vatican II A... more The volumes deal with current realities (doctrinal, pastoral, moral, social) in Post-Vatican II African Catholicism. Copies are available on Amazon. Papers by Raymond O L U S E S A N Aina
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Journal of Catholic social thought, 2023
A more dynamic approach to Catholic social thought that encourages a prophetic discernment can cr... more A more dynamic approach to Catholic social thought that encourages a prophetic discernment can critically challenge the official narrative presented in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, which is widely popular in Africa. This article develops this argument by revisiting three key problems that CST encounters in the African reality: poverty, violence, and justice. Significantly, the postcolonial discourse of “anthropological poverty” serves as both a justification for and a critique of the Compendium. This article highlights how a prophetic discernment’s dynamic approach, through the lens of anthropological poverty, enriches or critiques official Catholic social teaching’s views on the problems of poverty, violence, and justice. The discussion that follows in the article establishes how a less hierarchical approach to contemporary social questions is both necessary and attainable, while showing that this approach is, in part, taking place in Africa.
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Images about Africa in the northern hemisphere are generally negative and pessimistic. In spite o... more Images about Africa in the northern hemisphere are generally negative and pessimistic. In spite of instant global communication, why have these images persisted till date? This contribution shall revisit these perceptions and the images embodying them to unearth the motivations and rationale. The central argument, based on some narratives and experiences, is that ignorance feeds these images and stereotypes. Furthermore, positionality of non-African experts and some groups of African scholars and activists contribute to this culture of ignorance and paternalism. The contribution shall end with an ethical evaluation of the persistence of the images and the extent of moral responsibility of the authors and carriers of the racist stereotypes embedded in the images. (DIPF/Orig.)
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Justice, Development, and Peace Commission's Directors'/Stakeholders' Meeting, 2022
This is a summary of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria's (CATHAN) Vademecum for Ele... more This is a summary of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria's (CATHAN) Vademecum for Electors in Nigeria: Manual for Responsible Citizenship according to Catholic Social Teaching (October 2018). The document is the outcome of a resolution passed at CATHAN’s annual conference in April 2018. The synopsis was delivered on May 11, 2022, at the Catholic Resource Centre in Abuja, during the Justice, Development, and Peace Commission's Directors'/Stakeholders' Meeting.
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African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies Ajcjs, Jun 1, 2010
The lack of peace in most post-colonial African nation-states is tied to unresolved political asy... more The lack of peace in most post-colonial African nation-states is tied to unresolved political asymmetry among peoples with contending narratives of origins and power relations. The Justice system bequeathed to these states at their flag independence has been unsuitable for evolving a justice continuum that can ameliorate the asymmetry and consequent conflicts. However, Restorative Justice appears to hold promises and inspirations for affected nation-states. Nevertheless, this article contends that a perceived hyper-romanticisation of Restorative Justices promises must be tempered with critical realism about its ambiguities. Nigeria's Restorative Justice experiment, Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission, serves as point of reference.
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Peace is a journey, starting from the interior of the persons involved, but aimed towards a re-cr... more Peace is a journey, starting from the interior of the persons involved, but aimed towards a re-creation of the community for the sake of justice and well-being after disasters. So, in (proactive) intervention during a humanitarian crisis, 'aid delivery' is not enough. Aid agencies need to embrace comprehensive peace-building. That is the principal thesis of Opongo in his Making Choices for Peace. So, he proposes 'field diplomacy', a vital tool in post-conflict peacebuilding, as integral to aid agencies' activities.
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Journal of Inculturation Theology, 2012
Since Light of the World, the book-interview of Pope Benedict XVI, was publicly presented on Nove... more Since Light of the World, the book-interview of Pope Benedict XVI, was publicly presented on November 23, 2010, it has elicited various responses worldwide, especially with regard to his opinion on the possibility of ‘sex with condom’ in the face of real threat of HIV infection of some categories of persons. This contribution examines some of the commentaries and responses, with a specific Nigerian focus. This contribution and the critical engagement with some ‘teachers of the faith’ should be seen as part of Africans’ theological ethical contributions to the discussions within and outside the Roman Catholic Church on the (un)likely reasonability of ‘sex with condom’ in some cases as opined by the Pope.
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FACULTY OF THEOLOGY, CATHOLIC INSTITUTE OF WEST AFRICA, PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA, 2019
EDITORIAL
This issue of the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) is another collection of sch... more EDITORIAL
This issue of the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) is another collection of scholarly articles from reputable academics across the West African sub-region and Europe. The papers were carefully selected and edited from recommendations of the blind peer review panel. The expectation is that theologians, philosophers, educationists, clergy, religious men and women as well as the lay faithful will have source materials for research and discussion on the all-important issue of the Inculturation Theology. This is especially germane in view of the reality and urgency of the theology in Nigeria and many African nations. The authors have elicited rich, responsive and converging reflections and approaches on how to continuously provide enlightened and incisive Practical Inculturation Theology. This will influence the local Church and the wider society, in order to cherish and pursue this trend of Inculturation Theology. The Journal will hopefully serve as a major effort and catalyst towards such enlightenment to pursue the course of Inculturation Theology. Assuredly, this is the thinking that runs across the articles published by JIT in this digital age.
The Church, and indeed, the contemporary society are living through an epochal age. As digital residents, some today refused to migrate into the digital age; hence, they are the digital fugitives. Many of us make effort to explore the opportunities and threats; hence, they are the digital immigrants. While our young people born since 1980, who are versatile with modern technological toys and tools, are digital natives. We must collaborate and co-operate, in order to instruct and communicate the designs of God to His children in this New Era of Evangelization. Patrick Chukwudezie Chibuko, in his article Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Liturgical life of Christians Today: An Anglophone West African Response opens “the academic excursus” by stating the functional relationship between the liturgy and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the human person and the larger society. As ICT is person oriented; in the liturgy, the Church celebrates a Personality, namely Christ, not as a theory, philosophy, ideology or figment of imagination. What liturgy recalls in celebration, ICT records and preserves for posterity in gadgets.
In pursuance of this mission of the Church as a communicating community with ICT, Elizabeth Titilayo Aduloju, in her paper, Navigating the Present-Day Digital Media Proliferation: A Challenge for Pastoral Agents in Nigeria, underscores a fact that the new media technologies have revolutionised the entire globe, altering substantially, the way people work, live, learn and how they spend their leisure time. In Nigeria, young people, who are ‘native speakers’/’digital natives’ of the digital language of computers and video game, are already spending more time on new media such as mobile phones, social media and the internet. With the new development, today’s young people encounter a lot of challenges such as gratuitous sex and violence, cyberbullying, trivialisation of news and many others.
The article, The Youth and Legacy of the SECAM Golden Jubilee (1969-2019), by Ferdinand Nwaigbo, calls attention to the problem of the contemporary youth which consists in living out the legacy of Christianity and in preserving their cultural identity and heritage. This is because Christianity is a religion with diversities of cultures, customs, traditions and legacies. The article elaborates the need to renew the commitment of the youth to bear witness to Jesus Christ, in a culture that is encapsulated in exploiting the youth, keeping them out of decision taking processes in a society marked with gender sensitivity and democratic revolutions.
In her write-up, The Impact of Globalization on Youth Identity Formation in Nigeria: The Moral Perspective, Anthonia Bolanle Ojo notes that Globalisation is the force behind the changes across the globe. It provides a series of powerful processes that enable both opportunities and risks to thrive. The paper explores how the young people live and experience the world, becoming more open and accessible while living in their own world in Nigeria.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala, in his article, Rising Spade of Suicide Among Young People in Nigeria: A Christian Moral Response, observes that the increasing spade of suicide among young people in the world and particularly in Nigeria is worrisome. The numbers are quite devastating and very scaring.
Good Governance and Overcoming Insecurity in Nigeria: An agenda for Political Leaders and Agents, by Raymond Olusesan Aina, laments that despite being touted as the biggest economy in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the countries in Africa where multidimensional poverty, daunting and daily crisis abound. Many structures in Nigeria are dilapidated. Violence, insecurity and lawlessness are the order of the day.
Relatedly, Ignatius M.C. Obinwa, in his article, Knowledge from Correct Education as Panacea for Conflicts and Lawlessness: Examining the Nigerian Context in the Light of Isaiah 11:1-9, discusses such manifestations of conflicts and lawlessness in Nigeria as corruption, bloody religious intolerance, nepotism and inter-tribal bloody combats in the light of Isaiah 11:1-9.
Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, in his write-up, Ministerial Priesthood and its Ecclesial Setting within an African Context, unveils that priesthood in the Catholic Church is of primary importance. This is because of the centrality of the Sacraments in the life of the Church. Through her perennial teachings, the Catholic Church is called the Church of the Sacraments since Sacraments are indispensable in the life of the Church.
In his contribution, Clergy-Laity Distinction: Testimonies of the New Testament, Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie studies the attestation of the New Testament (NT) to clergy-laity distinction in the Church. The paper argues that although the terms ‘clergy’ and ‘laity’ are not expressly employed in the NT to stratify the faithful, and notwithstanding that various offices were yet undeveloped, there are sufficient evidences showing that the primitive Church had distinction of offices and officers.
In sum, the Journal has to be in the possession of anyone who wants to be better informed on trends and directions of Theological Inculturation. The authors have concurred unanimously and unequivocally that for the Church to be truly the Church of Jesus Christ, she must be both universal and particular.
Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo
Editor-in-Chief
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Bulletine of Ecumenical Theology, 2019
Migration is an integral dimension of human history, and nations are beneficiaries of human mobil... more Migration is an integral dimension of human history, and nations are beneficiaries of human mobility. Contemporary migration waves and trends that have both prospects and challenges contribute to the emergence of anti-migration policies and postures in many nations. This article contributes to the conversation on how migrants and host nations can exercise their rights (to migration and border protection) without a clash or an infringement of rights. We present a three-pronged thesis. The first situates African migration within the purview of human rights. The right of Africans to migration is not absolute-every host nation has a right to border protection. The second contends that since the world is the birthplace of all humans, and humans are beings-in-relationship, a civilization of communion and the globalization of citizenship are relevant paradigms for articulating a theological response to the contemporary trend of migration from the Global South to the Global North. The third proposes a theology of migration grounded in a reconsideration of the right to migration not as an isolated right, but as part of making an option for migrants. These theological paradigms rooted in a civilization of communion would inspire the treatment of migrants as persons created in the image of God, whose rights and dignity ought to be promoted, protected and preserved.
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Asian Horizons, 2018
Following the Church's traditional teaching on the sacrament of marriage, Amoris Laetitia eulogis... more Following the Church's traditional teaching on the sacrament of marriage, Amoris Laetitia eulogises marriage as an esteemed vocation, which needs proper discernment and sustained preparation. The document devotes space to the discernment phases of betrothal and newly married. This contribution argues that Amoris Laetitia misses out on a necessary phase prior to betrothal. This is a specific period of discernment which has not been given its pastoral attention. This contribution offers a possible framework for pastorally assisting parties in courtship to discern adequately as they view marriage on the horizon. This vocational discernment consists of the features of what Gaudium et Spes calls honourable courtship, pastoral care for honourable courtship, and specific challenges to courtship in an African context.
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Beyond political self-exile and a sense of political ‘homelessness’, Catholics in Nigeria must em... more Beyond political self-exile and a sense of political ‘homelessness’, Catholics in Nigeria must embrace the civic demands imposed on them by their Catholic faith. Going forward, to 2023 and beyond, what are concrete actionable goals that the Church in Nigeria can pursue? This paper, delivered to the Catholic hierarchy and faithful, during the first 2019 Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, offers 4 principles of Catholic Social Teaching and 8 actionable proposals that can deepen democratic culture in Nigeria through advocacy for Good Governance and pursuit of Common Good.
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Amoris Laetitia should be seen for what it is and what it offers. It is a pastoral exhortation fo... more Amoris Laetitia should be seen for what it is and what it offers. It is a pastoral exhortation for all families. It offers a framework for pastors on how to deal with special moral issues in marriage and family life. This contribution argues that we should not presume that the dominant discussions at the 2014 and 2015 synods of bishops are necessarily the pressing needs of the People of God in Sub-Saharan Africa. This article shows that the synods glossed over some pressing concerns in Africa. It discusses how the Family of God in Africa can take inspirations from Amoris Laetitia on how to build up and promote the ‗joy of love in families.'
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Images about Africa in the northern hemisphere are generally negative and pessimistic. In spite o... more Images about Africa in the northern hemisphere are generally negative and pessimistic. In spite of instant global communication , why have these images persisted till date? This contribution shall revisit these perceptions and the images embodying them to unearth the motivations and rationale. The central argument, based on some narratives and experiences, is that ignorance feeds these images and stereotypes. Furthermore , positionality of non-African experts and some groups of African scholars and activists contribute to this culture of ignorance and paternalism. The contribution shall end with an ethical evaluation of the persistence of the images and the extent of moral responsibility of the authors and carriers of the racist stereotypes embedded in the images.
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Technology, including digital information and communication technologies (DICT), is not morally n... more Technology, including digital information and communication technologies (DICT), is not morally neutral. It is built on a rejection of God and divine providence. Hence, it has no regard for theistic perspective; neither does it consider the bigger picture that classical philosophy and religion consider. Yet, DICT has demonstrated the potential to be a powerful driver of revolution and social change. Besides, the virtual reality created by DICT has somewhat helped to cushion the negative effects of loneliness and emotional instability caused by necessary physical separation. Nonetheless, the human community cannot be blind to DICT's moral quandaries. How is DICT changing the understanding of common traditional notions like 'selfhood', 'community', 'friends', 'truth', and 'fidelity'? Do we use these technologies to celebrate the height of human nobility, or we use them to descend into the abyss of immorality? At what point can we say 'enough!'? Can we say 'enough!' again, or we are condemned to the technological imperative? These questions inspire this article's reflection, from a Christian theological ethics perspective.
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The modest task I set out in this presentation is to offer an ethical perspective on the various ... more The modest task I set out in this presentation is to offer an ethical perspective on the various ways of confronting the reality of violence in Nigeria, a preeminent cleft country characterised by civilisational faultiness and prebendal politics. The paper offers a firm confession in Christian hope that Nigeria is not fated to self-destruction. Beyond its recurring ‘clashes of civilisations’, it is possible to pursue ‘embrace of civilisations’. Echoing Scott Appleby’s thesis in Ambivalence of the Sacred, paradoxically, religions have unique role to play in overcoming a heritage of toxic emotions and bloodbath.
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An annual Publication of the National Missionary Seminary of St Paul, Abuja, Nigeria. Volume 4 is... more An annual Publication of the National Missionary Seminary of St Paul, Abuja, Nigeria. Volume 4 is on theme "Trends in African Thought"
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Videos by Raymond O L U S E S A N Aina
Papers by Raymond O L U S E S A N Aina
This issue of the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) is another collection of scholarly articles from reputable academics across the West African sub-region and Europe. The papers were carefully selected and edited from recommendations of the blind peer review panel. The expectation is that theologians, philosophers, educationists, clergy, religious men and women as well as the lay faithful will have source materials for research and discussion on the all-important issue of the Inculturation Theology. This is especially germane in view of the reality and urgency of the theology in Nigeria and many African nations. The authors have elicited rich, responsive and converging reflections and approaches on how to continuously provide enlightened and incisive Practical Inculturation Theology. This will influence the local Church and the wider society, in order to cherish and pursue this trend of Inculturation Theology. The Journal will hopefully serve as a major effort and catalyst towards such enlightenment to pursue the course of Inculturation Theology. Assuredly, this is the thinking that runs across the articles published by JIT in this digital age.
The Church, and indeed, the contemporary society are living through an epochal age. As digital residents, some today refused to migrate into the digital age; hence, they are the digital fugitives. Many of us make effort to explore the opportunities and threats; hence, they are the digital immigrants. While our young people born since 1980, who are versatile with modern technological toys and tools, are digital natives. We must collaborate and co-operate, in order to instruct and communicate the designs of God to His children in this New Era of Evangelization. Patrick Chukwudezie Chibuko, in his article Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Liturgical life of Christians Today: An Anglophone West African Response opens “the academic excursus” by stating the functional relationship between the liturgy and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the human person and the larger society. As ICT is person oriented; in the liturgy, the Church celebrates a Personality, namely Christ, not as a theory, philosophy, ideology or figment of imagination. What liturgy recalls in celebration, ICT records and preserves for posterity in gadgets.
In pursuance of this mission of the Church as a communicating community with ICT, Elizabeth Titilayo Aduloju, in her paper, Navigating the Present-Day Digital Media Proliferation: A Challenge for Pastoral Agents in Nigeria, underscores a fact that the new media technologies have revolutionised the entire globe, altering substantially, the way people work, live, learn and how they spend their leisure time. In Nigeria, young people, who are ‘native speakers’/’digital natives’ of the digital language of computers and video game, are already spending more time on new media such as mobile phones, social media and the internet. With the new development, today’s young people encounter a lot of challenges such as gratuitous sex and violence, cyberbullying, trivialisation of news and many others.
The article, The Youth and Legacy of the SECAM Golden Jubilee (1969-2019), by Ferdinand Nwaigbo, calls attention to the problem of the contemporary youth which consists in living out the legacy of Christianity and in preserving their cultural identity and heritage. This is because Christianity is a religion with diversities of cultures, customs, traditions and legacies. The article elaborates the need to renew the commitment of the youth to bear witness to Jesus Christ, in a culture that is encapsulated in exploiting the youth, keeping them out of decision taking processes in a society marked with gender sensitivity and democratic revolutions.
In her write-up, The Impact of Globalization on Youth Identity Formation in Nigeria: The Moral Perspective, Anthonia Bolanle Ojo notes that Globalisation is the force behind the changes across the globe. It provides a series of powerful processes that enable both opportunities and risks to thrive. The paper explores how the young people live and experience the world, becoming more open and accessible while living in their own world in Nigeria.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala, in his article, Rising Spade of Suicide Among Young People in Nigeria: A Christian Moral Response, observes that the increasing spade of suicide among young people in the world and particularly in Nigeria is worrisome. The numbers are quite devastating and very scaring.
Good Governance and Overcoming Insecurity in Nigeria: An agenda for Political Leaders and Agents, by Raymond Olusesan Aina, laments that despite being touted as the biggest economy in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the countries in Africa where multidimensional poverty, daunting and daily crisis abound. Many structures in Nigeria are dilapidated. Violence, insecurity and lawlessness are the order of the day.
Relatedly, Ignatius M.C. Obinwa, in his article, Knowledge from Correct Education as Panacea for Conflicts and Lawlessness: Examining the Nigerian Context in the Light of Isaiah 11:1-9, discusses such manifestations of conflicts and lawlessness in Nigeria as corruption, bloody religious intolerance, nepotism and inter-tribal bloody combats in the light of Isaiah 11:1-9.
Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, in his write-up, Ministerial Priesthood and its Ecclesial Setting within an African Context, unveils that priesthood in the Catholic Church is of primary importance. This is because of the centrality of the Sacraments in the life of the Church. Through her perennial teachings, the Catholic Church is called the Church of the Sacraments since Sacraments are indispensable in the life of the Church.
In his contribution, Clergy-Laity Distinction: Testimonies of the New Testament, Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie studies the attestation of the New Testament (NT) to clergy-laity distinction in the Church. The paper argues that although the terms ‘clergy’ and ‘laity’ are not expressly employed in the NT to stratify the faithful, and notwithstanding that various offices were yet undeveloped, there are sufficient evidences showing that the primitive Church had distinction of offices and officers.
In sum, the Journal has to be in the possession of anyone who wants to be better informed on trends and directions of Theological Inculturation. The authors have concurred unanimously and unequivocally that for the Church to be truly the Church of Jesus Christ, she must be both universal and particular.
Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo
Editor-in-Chief
This issue of the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) is another collection of scholarly articles from reputable academics across the West African sub-region and Europe. The papers were carefully selected and edited from recommendations of the blind peer review panel. The expectation is that theologians, philosophers, educationists, clergy, religious men and women as well as the lay faithful will have source materials for research and discussion on the all-important issue of the Inculturation Theology. This is especially germane in view of the reality and urgency of the theology in Nigeria and many African nations. The authors have elicited rich, responsive and converging reflections and approaches on how to continuously provide enlightened and incisive Practical Inculturation Theology. This will influence the local Church and the wider society, in order to cherish and pursue this trend of Inculturation Theology. The Journal will hopefully serve as a major effort and catalyst towards such enlightenment to pursue the course of Inculturation Theology. Assuredly, this is the thinking that runs across the articles published by JIT in this digital age.
The Church, and indeed, the contemporary society are living through an epochal age. As digital residents, some today refused to migrate into the digital age; hence, they are the digital fugitives. Many of us make effort to explore the opportunities and threats; hence, they are the digital immigrants. While our young people born since 1980, who are versatile with modern technological toys and tools, are digital natives. We must collaborate and co-operate, in order to instruct and communicate the designs of God to His children in this New Era of Evangelization. Patrick Chukwudezie Chibuko, in his article Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Liturgical life of Christians Today: An Anglophone West African Response opens “the academic excursus” by stating the functional relationship between the liturgy and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the human person and the larger society. As ICT is person oriented; in the liturgy, the Church celebrates a Personality, namely Christ, not as a theory, philosophy, ideology or figment of imagination. What liturgy recalls in celebration, ICT records and preserves for posterity in gadgets.
In pursuance of this mission of the Church as a communicating community with ICT, Elizabeth Titilayo Aduloju, in her paper, Navigating the Present-Day Digital Media Proliferation: A Challenge for Pastoral Agents in Nigeria, underscores a fact that the new media technologies have revolutionised the entire globe, altering substantially, the way people work, live, learn and how they spend their leisure time. In Nigeria, young people, who are ‘native speakers’/’digital natives’ of the digital language of computers and video game, are already spending more time on new media such as mobile phones, social media and the internet. With the new development, today’s young people encounter a lot of challenges such as gratuitous sex and violence, cyberbullying, trivialisation of news and many others.
The article, The Youth and Legacy of the SECAM Golden Jubilee (1969-2019), by Ferdinand Nwaigbo, calls attention to the problem of the contemporary youth which consists in living out the legacy of Christianity and in preserving their cultural identity and heritage. This is because Christianity is a religion with diversities of cultures, customs, traditions and legacies. The article elaborates the need to renew the commitment of the youth to bear witness to Jesus Christ, in a culture that is encapsulated in exploiting the youth, keeping them out of decision taking processes in a society marked with gender sensitivity and democratic revolutions.
In her write-up, The Impact of Globalization on Youth Identity Formation in Nigeria: The Moral Perspective, Anthonia Bolanle Ojo notes that Globalisation is the force behind the changes across the globe. It provides a series of powerful processes that enable both opportunities and risks to thrive. The paper explores how the young people live and experience the world, becoming more open and accessible while living in their own world in Nigeria.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala, in his article, Rising Spade of Suicide Among Young People in Nigeria: A Christian Moral Response, observes that the increasing spade of suicide among young people in the world and particularly in Nigeria is worrisome. The numbers are quite devastating and very scaring.
Good Governance and Overcoming Insecurity in Nigeria: An agenda for Political Leaders and Agents, by Raymond Olusesan Aina, laments that despite being touted as the biggest economy in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the countries in Africa where multidimensional poverty, daunting and daily crisis abound. Many structures in Nigeria are dilapidated. Violence, insecurity and lawlessness are the order of the day.
Relatedly, Ignatius M.C. Obinwa, in his article, Knowledge from Correct Education as Panacea for Conflicts and Lawlessness: Examining the Nigerian Context in the Light of Isaiah 11:1-9, discusses such manifestations of conflicts and lawlessness in Nigeria as corruption, bloody religious intolerance, nepotism and inter-tribal bloody combats in the light of Isaiah 11:1-9.
Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, in his write-up, Ministerial Priesthood and its Ecclesial Setting within an African Context, unveils that priesthood in the Catholic Church is of primary importance. This is because of the centrality of the Sacraments in the life of the Church. Through her perennial teachings, the Catholic Church is called the Church of the Sacraments since Sacraments are indispensable in the life of the Church.
In his contribution, Clergy-Laity Distinction: Testimonies of the New Testament, Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie studies the attestation of the New Testament (NT) to clergy-laity distinction in the Church. The paper argues that although the terms ‘clergy’ and ‘laity’ are not expressly employed in the NT to stratify the faithful, and notwithstanding that various offices were yet undeveloped, there are sufficient evidences showing that the primitive Church had distinction of offices and officers.
In sum, the Journal has to be in the possession of anyone who wants to be better informed on trends and directions of Theological Inculturation. The authors have concurred unanimously and unequivocally that for the Church to be truly the Church of Jesus Christ, she must be both universal and particular.
Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo
Editor-in-Chief
audience, in offering thorough scientific research on the theme in
the light of the ongoing reception of Fratelli Tutti and the Synod of
Bishops on synodality. The leading articles on the theme offer
similar conclusions. The lack of civility and fraternity in ecclesial
and secular Palaver (conversations) is a violation of the premise
that every human being, formed imago Dei, has inherent value.
Palaver creates a sacred and safe venue for civil discourse and
fraternal dialogue.
HUMAN DIGNITY & RIGHTS". Caught between brokenness and reconfiguration of their narratives, what might migrants and internally displaced persons hope for? Can they hope to be ‘neighbours’ or they have to endure being seen as ‘leeches’ and threats? Can they hope for justice and compassionate liberality? Or they are not entitled to the goods of the earth in their new space? Should they hope for philosophers and saints to welcome them unconditionally?; Or they can only battle with politicians and demagogues contesting against enlarged ‘open spaces’? APT 8 investigates conversations about migration, internal displacement vis-à-vis human dignity, civil rights, multiculturalism, and preferential treatment. How do these issues challenge and inspire both the ‘hosts’ and the ‘guests’?