ABSTRACT: In Nigerian society, there has been an upsurge in incidents of child rape and, to a lar... more ABSTRACT: In Nigerian society, there has been an upsurge in incidents of child rape and, to a large extent, the girl child is no longer safe. It is, therefore, that this paper – using the qualitative approach, literature review, and interview methods – examined what should be the Church responsibilities in addressing the matter. It is noted in the newspaper that number of reported cases are only a tip of the iceberg. Many are never reported, because parents would want to shield their daughters from embarrassment of the society stigmatization, or possibly the victims are threatened verbally or physically by the abusers. However, the newspaper also noted that the Bible speaks forcefully against sexual exploitation. Throughout Scripture, sexual relations are portrayed as holy, ordained of God at the time of creation, not to be indulged in frivolously, and certainly not to involve violent trampling of the rights and dignity of the female. However, rape is an endemic reality in Biblical ...
JOURNAL OF INCULTURATION THEOLOGY, DECEMBER 2021, VOL. 18, NO. 2, 2021
EDITORIAL
On 8th December, 2021, the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Ma... more EDITORIAL
On 8th December, 2021, the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) Port Harcourt/Obehie, Nigeria celebrated her fortieth (40th) Foundation Day. As a Pontifical Institute, she was established to train Church personnel and the lay faithful on the value of the continuity of faith encounter in each era and culture. In fact, it remains unique and singular task of Inculturation Theology. Inculturation Theology (a neologism) embodies the process of making theological frameworks take root in the culture of the people in such ways that they reflect the culture and genius of the people. It is the process of communicating texts, rituals, histories, norms, morals, traditions and theologies in order to resonate the people’s thought, languages, values, symbolic gestures and expressions. For these donkey years, the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) has provided and is still providing analyses of contextual and inculturational theologies. Authors applied variety of approaches, strategies and methodologies to make their presentations. Two articles are very relevant and timely to convey the atmosphere expected within CIWA as an ecclesial community in the West African sub-region @ 40.
Beginning with the article titled: Spirituality of Love from the Perspectives of Aquinas and Augustine, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna argues that the theme of love is central to Christian life and spirituality. It could be summed up as an invitation and a challenge. It is an invitation for the people to examine themselves individually and collectively.
Relatedly, the paper by Onyema Anozie titled: The Imperative of Advancing the Common Good in Catholic Institute of West Africa @ 40: A Moral Theological Ethical Study, argues that the Church in Nigeria in the sub-region should raise her voice for the Institute CIWA until the Government provides the necessary amenities, that would enable the Institute to achieve not only her aim and objectives but also become self-sufficient and completely able to participate in the global world-family in academics and human development.
Other articles, from different disciplines, examined a wide range of vital and pertinent themes related to Inculturation Theology. Anthony Iffen Umoren, in his paper titled: Jesus’ Directive to Buy a Sword in Luke 22: 35-38 and the Right to Self-Defence in Nigeria, interprets a unique biblical text-Luke 22:35-38. Prof. Umoren recommends that following also the Church’s teaching on the right to self-defence, Christian leaders in Nigeria should seek and use every legal, conventional, adequate and acceptable means to defend the lives of their members and the faith of the people entrusted to their care in the midst of intense persecution.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala’s article titled: Spousal compatibility Checks for Intending Christian Couples in Africa, addresses the need for the process of spousal compatibility checks by young Christian spousal searchers. They are to appreciate their indispensable stake in locating the bones of their bones and the flesh of their flesh.
Samson Iwuchukwu’s study on capital punishment titled: Ethical Implications of Capital Punishment for Contemporary Christians in the Light of Divine Grace, reiterates that the response of the government on the activities of some hoodlums who are creating unrest in society has always raised serious concern in the light of the Gospel of Grace. With reformatory approach as a better option, Iwuchukwu also noted that capital punishment has never abated crime. Accordingly, the 21st century Christianity is obliged to increase her evangelization efforts through preaching, teaching and social ministry (such as job creation) which will help to re-orientate the idle hands to work and reduce crime rate.
The paper titled: Enhancing Evangelization and Inculturation through the Print Media in Nigeria, by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo & Peter Obinna Umekwe, discusses how to enhance evangelization and inculturation through the print media. The paper concludes on the note of experience which shows that these tools can work together for the enhancement of the faith of the people of God and for their salvation.
Another related article by Benedict Chima Okolo titled: Interpreting Market Evangelization as a Resurgence of Christianity in Nigeria, resonates the implications in the recent market evangelization as revival of Christianity. In Nigeria, the New Era of Evangelization was ushered in 1982 by Pope St. John Paul II during his first visit to Nigeria when he called for new methods of evangelization. Accordingly, the danger is that if these things are not regulated especially in checking the rate of commercialization in market evangelization, one day, the already simmering disillusionment might burst and spill over.
In his reflection on sacred liturgy, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi’s paper titled: Liturgical History as Guide through Time: Implications for the Church in Nigeria, traces the history of liturgy in the Church as a guide for ongoing reforms and for those connected to the liturgy by way of praxis to forestall any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of it. Arguing his case, Ogunlusi recommends that it is always very important to revert into history in order to build future reforms and more purposely for invigorating efforts toward achieving the purpose of the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical life. This becomes necessary since the liturgy manifests all that the Church believes and professes and it is upon this premise that history is vindicated as a tool and a guide.
Paul Okwuchukwu Azuakor’s article titled: Religion, Culture and Secret Societies: The Nigerian Experience, asserts the fact that religion defies a unilateral approach. Evidently, religion and culture mutually and deeply influence each other. Many secret societies have religious connections in their origins and wear some garbs of ritualistic, cultic, mystical and normative nature. Azuakor’s recommendations, inter alia, include: respect for the common good of man, assurance of man’s all-round rights, avoidance of violence and manipulative criminality, institution of sound moral ethics, etc.
Against the backdrop of the above listed articles from CIWA @ 40, this edition is a testimony of rich theological reservoir for Inculturation Theology. This makes this edition unique, memorable and a must-read for everyone who wishes to know more about Inculturation Theology and its allied subject matter.
EDITORIAL
As Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sa... more EDITORIAL
As Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the Saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church, the year began on 8th December, 2020 and would conclude on 8th December, 2021. Given that St. Joseph, the husband of Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ, is famous for being the Ideal Worker who ministered to the Holy Family, the missionary work of the Church must go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic saga. More than fifty years ago, Pope St. Paul VI was emphatic that by now, Africans should be missionaries to themselves. The Church of Christ should truly be pIanted in Africa and they have to make it African through honest and result-oriented dialogue with African cultures and values. Theology should attempt to aid Africans to be truly Christians and authentically Africans (Pope Paul VI, “Address to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Kampala” 31 July, 1969). Similarly, Alyward Shorter notes that: “Africans have a legitimate desire to reformulate the truths of faith in accordance with their own cultural forms of expression. They need not and should not replicate the intellectual history of Europe in order to understand what the Gospel says about Jesus” (Alyward Shorter, Christianity and African Imagination, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 1996, 69). Accordingly, efforts have been expended on the reformation and restoration of Inculturation Theology. This edition of the Journal has been put together to help in the theological reforms mandated by the Second Vatican Council. Conscious of this development, the Editorial Board has carefully decided on the peer reviewed array of selected articles.
In this issue of JIT, Benjamin Ogechi Agbara, in his article titled: Formation of a Believing Community as the Role of the First Sign: Insights from John 2:1-12, focuses on the Gospel according to John which was written to evoke faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). Agbara challenges the Church in Africa to live out the implication of the text and eschew anything that runs contrary to it.
Another biblically oriented article, Rereading Leviticus 19:33-34 in the Context of the Current Global Migrant and Refugee Crisis, by Emmanuel O. Nwaoru, decries the plight of migrants and refugees. Nwaoru, therefore, recommends that the modern society should consider dispassionately the enduring and non-restrictive message and show concern for the wellbeing of every migrant (foreigner) on account of their vulnerability.
The set of articles with sacred liturgical-bent kicks off with the paper by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo titled: Understanding the New Translation of the Roman Rite in Igbo Language. The article creates a path to understanding the new translation of the Roman Missal into vernacular. The currency of the paper by Anagwo lies in its wide explanation of some of these new changes which are richer in content in order to redirect towards heaven.
Relatedly, Peter Danjuma Uchu, in his paper, The Importance and Development of the Prayer of Absolution in the African Context, sets out to discuss the spiritual cum liturgical benefits of the prayer of absolution. At the end, Uchu gives some commentaries on the prayer and stresses its importance to the Church in Africa.
In his paper, Underscoring the Essence of Christian Funeral Rites within the Context of ‘Befitting Burial’ in Nigeria, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi laments the extent to which Christians today have deviated from the Biblical virtue of prudence but promote the culture of profligacy in burying the dead. Ogunlusi efficiently argues for Christian befitting burial of Christians to be encouraged in order to serve the spiritual purpose in which the souls of the dead are committed to God’s mercy and the living are consoled as well as the lessons of faith concerning death are learnt.
Charles Boampong Sarfo, in his article, Preface of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King as Catechesis for Repairing the Fractured African Continent, attempts to understand the expectation of Christians in sharing the truth of God both in practice and in word. Sarfo argued that the need to build a new continent free from corruption, moral lapses and chaos, is possible when Christians in Africa could serve as light and avoid compromising their religious obligations.
The article titled: Dogmatic Theology and the Unity of Christian Doctrine, by Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, dares to swim the murky waters with a passion for the protection of the doctrine of the Catholic Church from abuse that comes from subjectivism, rubricism, clericalism, passiveness and conservatism. Ebebe did not shy away from his preference for “Dogmatic Theology” as a better term to be used.
Dogmatic Controversy of the Biblical Passage on Ancestor Veneration in Ibibioland, by Anthony Okon Abel, asserts that ancestor veneration occurs in every culture, all over the world. Abel takes up the task on how to correct the wrong interpretation of some Biblical texts by Ibibio people, who after many years of Christianity still hold that there are some Biblical passages that support ancestral veneration.
The last but not the least is an insightful article by Edward Osang Obi titled: Energy Ethics and the Impact of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anchored on the fact that there is a clear nexus between the onslaught of climate change and the human technological activities. Obi calls for a systematic balance between the natural human need for energy and the levels of environmental destruction permissible in achieving it.
The ideas and experiences captured in this issue of JIT challenge theologians and scholars to be sensitive to the integration of Christian message and culture. The papers, as a whole, significantly contribute to the body of knowledge for Africans and others who need to know the relevance of the mission and vision of Inculturation Theology. It is, therefore, our singular pleasure to recommend this current edition of the Journal to all. You stand to be enriched by reading this issue of JIT as you would not regret doing so.
ABSTRACT: In Nigerian society, there has been an upsurge in incidents of child rape and, to a lar... more ABSTRACT: In Nigerian society, there has been an upsurge in incidents of child rape and, to a large extent, the girl child is no longer safe. It is, therefore, that this paper – using the qualitative approach, literature review, and interview methods – examined what should be the Church responsibilities in addressing the matter. It is noted in the newspaper that number of reported cases are only a tip of the iceberg. Many are never reported, because parents would want to shield their daughters from embarrassment of the society stigmatization, or possibly the victims are threatened verbally or physically by the abusers. However, the newspaper also noted that the Bible speaks forcefully against sexual exploitation. Throughout Scripture, sexual relations are portrayed as holy, ordained of God at the time of creation, not to be indulged in frivolously, and certainly not to involve violent trampling of the rights and dignity of the female. However, rape is an endemic reality in Biblical ...
JOURNAL OF INCULTURATION THEOLOGY, DECEMBER 2021, VOL. 18, NO. 2, 2021
EDITORIAL
On 8th December, 2021, the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Ma... more EDITORIAL
On 8th December, 2021, the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) Port Harcourt/Obehie, Nigeria celebrated her fortieth (40th) Foundation Day. As a Pontifical Institute, she was established to train Church personnel and the lay faithful on the value of the continuity of faith encounter in each era and culture. In fact, it remains unique and singular task of Inculturation Theology. Inculturation Theology (a neologism) embodies the process of making theological frameworks take root in the culture of the people in such ways that they reflect the culture and genius of the people. It is the process of communicating texts, rituals, histories, norms, morals, traditions and theologies in order to resonate the people’s thought, languages, values, symbolic gestures and expressions. For these donkey years, the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) has provided and is still providing analyses of contextual and inculturational theologies. Authors applied variety of approaches, strategies and methodologies to make their presentations. Two articles are very relevant and timely to convey the atmosphere expected within CIWA as an ecclesial community in the West African sub-region @ 40.
Beginning with the article titled: Spirituality of Love from the Perspectives of Aquinas and Augustine, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna argues that the theme of love is central to Christian life and spirituality. It could be summed up as an invitation and a challenge. It is an invitation for the people to examine themselves individually and collectively.
Relatedly, the paper by Onyema Anozie titled: The Imperative of Advancing the Common Good in Catholic Institute of West Africa @ 40: A Moral Theological Ethical Study, argues that the Church in Nigeria in the sub-region should raise her voice for the Institute CIWA until the Government provides the necessary amenities, that would enable the Institute to achieve not only her aim and objectives but also become self-sufficient and completely able to participate in the global world-family in academics and human development.
Other articles, from different disciplines, examined a wide range of vital and pertinent themes related to Inculturation Theology. Anthony Iffen Umoren, in his paper titled: Jesus’ Directive to Buy a Sword in Luke 22: 35-38 and the Right to Self-Defence in Nigeria, interprets a unique biblical text-Luke 22:35-38. Prof. Umoren recommends that following also the Church’s teaching on the right to self-defence, Christian leaders in Nigeria should seek and use every legal, conventional, adequate and acceptable means to defend the lives of their members and the faith of the people entrusted to their care in the midst of intense persecution.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala’s article titled: Spousal compatibility Checks for Intending Christian Couples in Africa, addresses the need for the process of spousal compatibility checks by young Christian spousal searchers. They are to appreciate their indispensable stake in locating the bones of their bones and the flesh of their flesh.
Samson Iwuchukwu’s study on capital punishment titled: Ethical Implications of Capital Punishment for Contemporary Christians in the Light of Divine Grace, reiterates that the response of the government on the activities of some hoodlums who are creating unrest in society has always raised serious concern in the light of the Gospel of Grace. With reformatory approach as a better option, Iwuchukwu also noted that capital punishment has never abated crime. Accordingly, the 21st century Christianity is obliged to increase her evangelization efforts through preaching, teaching and social ministry (such as job creation) which will help to re-orientate the idle hands to work and reduce crime rate.
The paper titled: Enhancing Evangelization and Inculturation through the Print Media in Nigeria, by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo & Peter Obinna Umekwe, discusses how to enhance evangelization and inculturation through the print media. The paper concludes on the note of experience which shows that these tools can work together for the enhancement of the faith of the people of God and for their salvation.
Another related article by Benedict Chima Okolo titled: Interpreting Market Evangelization as a Resurgence of Christianity in Nigeria, resonates the implications in the recent market evangelization as revival of Christianity. In Nigeria, the New Era of Evangelization was ushered in 1982 by Pope St. John Paul II during his first visit to Nigeria when he called for new methods of evangelization. Accordingly, the danger is that if these things are not regulated especially in checking the rate of commercialization in market evangelization, one day, the already simmering disillusionment might burst and spill over.
In his reflection on sacred liturgy, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi’s paper titled: Liturgical History as Guide through Time: Implications for the Church in Nigeria, traces the history of liturgy in the Church as a guide for ongoing reforms and for those connected to the liturgy by way of praxis to forestall any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of it. Arguing his case, Ogunlusi recommends that it is always very important to revert into history in order to build future reforms and more purposely for invigorating efforts toward achieving the purpose of the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical life. This becomes necessary since the liturgy manifests all that the Church believes and professes and it is upon this premise that history is vindicated as a tool and a guide.
Paul Okwuchukwu Azuakor’s article titled: Religion, Culture and Secret Societies: The Nigerian Experience, asserts the fact that religion defies a unilateral approach. Evidently, religion and culture mutually and deeply influence each other. Many secret societies have religious connections in their origins and wear some garbs of ritualistic, cultic, mystical and normative nature. Azuakor’s recommendations, inter alia, include: respect for the common good of man, assurance of man’s all-round rights, avoidance of violence and manipulative criminality, institution of sound moral ethics, etc.
Against the backdrop of the above listed articles from CIWA @ 40, this edition is a testimony of rich theological reservoir for Inculturation Theology. This makes this edition unique, memorable and a must-read for everyone who wishes to know more about Inculturation Theology and its allied subject matter.
EDITORIAL
As Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sa... more EDITORIAL
As Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the Saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church, the year began on 8th December, 2020 and would conclude on 8th December, 2021. Given that St. Joseph, the husband of Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ, is famous for being the Ideal Worker who ministered to the Holy Family, the missionary work of the Church must go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic saga. More than fifty years ago, Pope St. Paul VI was emphatic that by now, Africans should be missionaries to themselves. The Church of Christ should truly be pIanted in Africa and they have to make it African through honest and result-oriented dialogue with African cultures and values. Theology should attempt to aid Africans to be truly Christians and authentically Africans (Pope Paul VI, “Address to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Kampala” 31 July, 1969). Similarly, Alyward Shorter notes that: “Africans have a legitimate desire to reformulate the truths of faith in accordance with their own cultural forms of expression. They need not and should not replicate the intellectual history of Europe in order to understand what the Gospel says about Jesus” (Alyward Shorter, Christianity and African Imagination, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 1996, 69). Accordingly, efforts have been expended on the reformation and restoration of Inculturation Theology. This edition of the Journal has been put together to help in the theological reforms mandated by the Second Vatican Council. Conscious of this development, the Editorial Board has carefully decided on the peer reviewed array of selected articles.
In this issue of JIT, Benjamin Ogechi Agbara, in his article titled: Formation of a Believing Community as the Role of the First Sign: Insights from John 2:1-12, focuses on the Gospel according to John which was written to evoke faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). Agbara challenges the Church in Africa to live out the implication of the text and eschew anything that runs contrary to it.
Another biblically oriented article, Rereading Leviticus 19:33-34 in the Context of the Current Global Migrant and Refugee Crisis, by Emmanuel O. Nwaoru, decries the plight of migrants and refugees. Nwaoru, therefore, recommends that the modern society should consider dispassionately the enduring and non-restrictive message and show concern for the wellbeing of every migrant (foreigner) on account of their vulnerability.
The set of articles with sacred liturgical-bent kicks off with the paper by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo titled: Understanding the New Translation of the Roman Rite in Igbo Language. The article creates a path to understanding the new translation of the Roman Missal into vernacular. The currency of the paper by Anagwo lies in its wide explanation of some of these new changes which are richer in content in order to redirect towards heaven.
Relatedly, Peter Danjuma Uchu, in his paper, The Importance and Development of the Prayer of Absolution in the African Context, sets out to discuss the spiritual cum liturgical benefits of the prayer of absolution. At the end, Uchu gives some commentaries on the prayer and stresses its importance to the Church in Africa.
In his paper, Underscoring the Essence of Christian Funeral Rites within the Context of ‘Befitting Burial’ in Nigeria, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi laments the extent to which Christians today have deviated from the Biblical virtue of prudence but promote the culture of profligacy in burying the dead. Ogunlusi efficiently argues for Christian befitting burial of Christians to be encouraged in order to serve the spiritual purpose in which the souls of the dead are committed to God’s mercy and the living are consoled as well as the lessons of faith concerning death are learnt.
Charles Boampong Sarfo, in his article, Preface of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King as Catechesis for Repairing the Fractured African Continent, attempts to understand the expectation of Christians in sharing the truth of God both in practice and in word. Sarfo argued that the need to build a new continent free from corruption, moral lapses and chaos, is possible when Christians in Africa could serve as light and avoid compromising their religious obligations.
The article titled: Dogmatic Theology and the Unity of Christian Doctrine, by Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, dares to swim the murky waters with a passion for the protection of the doctrine of the Catholic Church from abuse that comes from subjectivism, rubricism, clericalism, passiveness and conservatism. Ebebe did not shy away from his preference for “Dogmatic Theology” as a better term to be used.
Dogmatic Controversy of the Biblical Passage on Ancestor Veneration in Ibibioland, by Anthony Okon Abel, asserts that ancestor veneration occurs in every culture, all over the world. Abel takes up the task on how to correct the wrong interpretation of some Biblical texts by Ibibio people, who after many years of Christianity still hold that there are some Biblical passages that support ancestral veneration.
The last but not the least is an insightful article by Edward Osang Obi titled: Energy Ethics and the Impact of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anchored on the fact that there is a clear nexus between the onslaught of climate change and the human technological activities. Obi calls for a systematic balance between the natural human need for energy and the levels of environmental destruction permissible in achieving it.
The ideas and experiences captured in this issue of JIT challenge theologians and scholars to be sensitive to the integration of Christian message and culture. The papers, as a whole, significantly contribute to the body of knowledge for Africans and others who need to know the relevance of the mission and vision of Inculturation Theology. It is, therefore, our singular pleasure to recommend this current edition of the Journal to all. You stand to be enriched by reading this issue of JIT as you would not regret doing so.
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On 8th December, 2021, the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) Port Harcourt/Obehie, Nigeria celebrated her fortieth (40th) Foundation Day. As a Pontifical Institute, she was established to train Church personnel and the lay faithful on the value of the continuity of faith encounter in each era and culture. In fact, it remains unique and singular task of Inculturation Theology. Inculturation Theology (a neologism) embodies the process of making theological frameworks take root in the culture of the people in such ways that they reflect the culture and genius of the people. It is the process of communicating texts, rituals, histories, norms, morals, traditions and theologies in order to resonate the people’s thought, languages, values, symbolic gestures and expressions. For these donkey years, the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) has provided and is still providing analyses of contextual and inculturational theologies. Authors applied variety of approaches, strategies and methodologies to make their presentations. Two articles are very relevant and timely to convey the atmosphere expected within CIWA as an ecclesial community in the West African sub-region @ 40.
Beginning with the article titled: Spirituality of Love from the Perspectives of Aquinas and Augustine, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna argues that the theme of love is central to Christian life and spirituality. It could be summed up as an invitation and a challenge. It is an invitation for the people to examine themselves individually and collectively.
Relatedly, the paper by Onyema Anozie titled: The Imperative of Advancing the Common Good in Catholic Institute of West Africa @ 40: A Moral Theological Ethical Study, argues that the Church in Nigeria in the sub-region should raise her voice for the Institute CIWA until the Government provides the necessary amenities, that would enable the Institute to achieve not only her aim and objectives but also become self-sufficient and completely able to participate in the global world-family in academics and human development.
Other articles, from different disciplines, examined a wide range of vital and pertinent themes related to Inculturation Theology. Anthony Iffen Umoren, in his paper titled: Jesus’ Directive to Buy a Sword in Luke 22: 35-38 and the Right to Self-Defence in Nigeria, interprets a unique biblical text-Luke 22:35-38. Prof. Umoren recommends that following also the Church’s teaching on the right to self-defence, Christian leaders in Nigeria should seek and use every legal, conventional, adequate and acceptable means to defend the lives of their members and the faith of the people entrusted to their care in the midst of intense persecution.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala’s article titled: Spousal compatibility Checks for Intending Christian Couples in Africa, addresses the need for the process of spousal compatibility checks by young Christian spousal searchers. They are to appreciate their indispensable stake in locating the bones of their bones and the flesh of their flesh.
Samson Iwuchukwu’s study on capital punishment titled: Ethical Implications of Capital Punishment for Contemporary Christians in the Light of Divine Grace, reiterates that the response of the government on the activities of some hoodlums who are creating unrest in society has always raised serious concern in the light of the Gospel of Grace. With reformatory approach as a better option, Iwuchukwu also noted that capital punishment has never abated crime. Accordingly, the 21st century Christianity is obliged to increase her evangelization efforts through preaching, teaching and social ministry (such as job creation) which will help to re-orientate the idle hands to work and reduce crime rate.
The paper titled: Enhancing Evangelization and Inculturation through the Print Media in Nigeria, by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo & Peter Obinna Umekwe, discusses how to enhance evangelization and inculturation through the print media. The paper concludes on the note of experience which shows that these tools can work together for the enhancement of the faith of the people of God and for their salvation.
Another related article by Benedict Chima Okolo titled: Interpreting Market Evangelization as a Resurgence of Christianity in Nigeria, resonates the implications in the recent market evangelization as revival of Christianity. In Nigeria, the New Era of Evangelization was ushered in 1982 by Pope St. John Paul II during his first visit to Nigeria when he called for new methods of evangelization. Accordingly, the danger is that if these things are not regulated especially in checking the rate of commercialization in market evangelization, one day, the already simmering disillusionment might burst and spill over.
In his reflection on sacred liturgy, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi’s paper titled: Liturgical History as Guide through Time: Implications for the Church in Nigeria, traces the history of liturgy in the Church as a guide for ongoing reforms and for those connected to the liturgy by way of praxis to forestall any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of it. Arguing his case, Ogunlusi recommends that it is always very important to revert into history in order to build future reforms and more purposely for invigorating efforts toward achieving the purpose of the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical life. This becomes necessary since the liturgy manifests all that the Church believes and professes and it is upon this premise that history is vindicated as a tool and a guide.
Paul Okwuchukwu Azuakor’s article titled: Religion, Culture and Secret Societies: The Nigerian Experience, asserts the fact that religion defies a unilateral approach. Evidently, religion and culture mutually and deeply influence each other. Many secret societies have religious connections in their origins and wear some garbs of ritualistic, cultic, mystical and normative nature. Azuakor’s recommendations, inter alia, include: respect for the common good of man, assurance of man’s all-round rights, avoidance of violence and manipulative criminality, institution of sound moral ethics, etc.
Against the backdrop of the above listed articles from CIWA @ 40, this edition is a testimony of rich theological reservoir for Inculturation Theology. This makes this edition unique, memorable and a must-read for everyone who wishes to know more about Inculturation Theology and its allied subject matter.
As Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the Saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church, the year began on 8th December, 2020 and would conclude on 8th December, 2021. Given that St. Joseph, the husband of Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ, is famous for being the Ideal Worker who ministered to the Holy Family, the missionary work of the Church must go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic saga. More than fifty years ago, Pope St. Paul VI was emphatic that by now, Africans should be missionaries to themselves. The Church of Christ should truly be pIanted in Africa and they have to make it African through honest and result-oriented dialogue with African cultures and values. Theology should attempt to aid Africans to be truly Christians and authentically Africans (Pope Paul VI, “Address to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Kampala” 31 July, 1969). Similarly, Alyward Shorter notes that: “Africans have a legitimate desire to reformulate the truths of faith in accordance with their own cultural forms of expression. They need not and should not replicate the intellectual history of Europe in order to understand what the Gospel says about Jesus” (Alyward Shorter, Christianity and African Imagination, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 1996, 69). Accordingly, efforts have been expended on the reformation and restoration of Inculturation Theology. This edition of the Journal has been put together to help in the theological reforms mandated by the Second Vatican Council. Conscious of this development, the Editorial Board has carefully decided on the peer reviewed array of selected articles.
In this issue of JIT, Benjamin Ogechi Agbara, in his article titled: Formation of a Believing Community as the Role of the First Sign: Insights from John 2:1-12, focuses on the Gospel according to John which was written to evoke faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). Agbara challenges the Church in Africa to live out the implication of the text and eschew anything that runs contrary to it.
Another biblically oriented article, Rereading Leviticus 19:33-34 in the Context of the Current Global Migrant and Refugee Crisis, by Emmanuel O. Nwaoru, decries the plight of migrants and refugees. Nwaoru, therefore, recommends that the modern society should consider dispassionately the enduring and non-restrictive message and show concern for the wellbeing of every migrant (foreigner) on account of their vulnerability.
The set of articles with sacred liturgical-bent kicks off with the paper by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo titled: Understanding the New Translation of the Roman Rite in Igbo Language. The article creates a path to understanding the new translation of the Roman Missal into vernacular. The currency of the paper by Anagwo lies in its wide explanation of some of these new changes which are richer in content in order to redirect towards heaven.
Relatedly, Peter Danjuma Uchu, in his paper, The Importance and Development of the Prayer of Absolution in the African Context, sets out to discuss the spiritual cum liturgical benefits of the prayer of absolution. At the end, Uchu gives some commentaries on the prayer and stresses its importance to the Church in Africa.
In his paper, Underscoring the Essence of Christian Funeral Rites within the Context of ‘Befitting Burial’ in Nigeria, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi laments the extent to which Christians today have deviated from the Biblical virtue of prudence but promote the culture of profligacy in burying the dead. Ogunlusi efficiently argues for Christian befitting burial of Christians to be encouraged in order to serve the spiritual purpose in which the souls of the dead are committed to God’s mercy and the living are consoled as well as the lessons of faith concerning death are learnt.
Charles Boampong Sarfo, in his article, Preface of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King as Catechesis for Repairing the Fractured African Continent, attempts to understand the expectation of Christians in sharing the truth of God both in practice and in word. Sarfo argued that the need to build a new continent free from corruption, moral lapses and chaos, is possible when Christians in Africa could serve as light and avoid compromising their religious obligations.
The article titled: Dogmatic Theology and the Unity of Christian Doctrine, by Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, dares to swim the murky waters with a passion for the protection of the doctrine of the Catholic Church from abuse that comes from subjectivism, rubricism, clericalism, passiveness and conservatism. Ebebe did not shy away from his preference for “Dogmatic Theology” as a better term to be used.
Dogmatic Controversy of the Biblical Passage on Ancestor Veneration in Ibibioland, by Anthony Okon Abel, asserts that ancestor veneration occurs in every culture, all over the world. Abel takes up the task on how to correct the wrong interpretation of some Biblical texts by Ibibio people, who after many years of Christianity still hold that there are some Biblical passages that support ancestral veneration.
The last but not the least is an insightful article by Edward Osang Obi titled: Energy Ethics and the Impact of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anchored on the fact that there is a clear nexus between the onslaught of climate change and the human technological activities. Obi calls for a systematic balance between the natural human need for energy and the levels of environmental destruction permissible in achieving it.
The ideas and experiences captured in this issue of JIT challenge theologians and scholars to be sensitive to the integration of Christian message and culture. The papers, as a whole, significantly contribute to the body of knowledge for Africans and others who need to know the relevance of the mission and vision of Inculturation Theology. It is, therefore, our singular pleasure to recommend this current edition of the Journal to all. You stand to be enriched by reading this issue of JIT as you would not regret doing so.
Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo
Editor-in-Chief
On 8th December, 2021, the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) Port Harcourt/Obehie, Nigeria celebrated her fortieth (40th) Foundation Day. As a Pontifical Institute, she was established to train Church personnel and the lay faithful on the value of the continuity of faith encounter in each era and culture. In fact, it remains unique and singular task of Inculturation Theology. Inculturation Theology (a neologism) embodies the process of making theological frameworks take root in the culture of the people in such ways that they reflect the culture and genius of the people. It is the process of communicating texts, rituals, histories, norms, morals, traditions and theologies in order to resonate the people’s thought, languages, values, symbolic gestures and expressions. For these donkey years, the Journal of Inculturation Theology (JIT) has provided and is still providing analyses of contextual and inculturational theologies. Authors applied variety of approaches, strategies and methodologies to make their presentations. Two articles are very relevant and timely to convey the atmosphere expected within CIWA as an ecclesial community in the West African sub-region @ 40.
Beginning with the article titled: Spirituality of Love from the Perspectives of Aquinas and Augustine, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna argues that the theme of love is central to Christian life and spirituality. It could be summed up as an invitation and a challenge. It is an invitation for the people to examine themselves individually and collectively.
Relatedly, the paper by Onyema Anozie titled: The Imperative of Advancing the Common Good in Catholic Institute of West Africa @ 40: A Moral Theological Ethical Study, argues that the Church in Nigeria in the sub-region should raise her voice for the Institute CIWA until the Government provides the necessary amenities, that would enable the Institute to achieve not only her aim and objectives but also become self-sufficient and completely able to participate in the global world-family in academics and human development.
Other articles, from different disciplines, examined a wide range of vital and pertinent themes related to Inculturation Theology. Anthony Iffen Umoren, in his paper titled: Jesus’ Directive to Buy a Sword in Luke 22: 35-38 and the Right to Self-Defence in Nigeria, interprets a unique biblical text-Luke 22:35-38. Prof. Umoren recommends that following also the Church’s teaching on the right to self-defence, Christian leaders in Nigeria should seek and use every legal, conventional, adequate and acceptable means to defend the lives of their members and the faith of the people entrusted to their care in the midst of intense persecution.
Benjamin Yakubu Bala’s article titled: Spousal compatibility Checks for Intending Christian Couples in Africa, addresses the need for the process of spousal compatibility checks by young Christian spousal searchers. They are to appreciate their indispensable stake in locating the bones of their bones and the flesh of their flesh.
Samson Iwuchukwu’s study on capital punishment titled: Ethical Implications of Capital Punishment for Contemporary Christians in the Light of Divine Grace, reiterates that the response of the government on the activities of some hoodlums who are creating unrest in society has always raised serious concern in the light of the Gospel of Grace. With reformatory approach as a better option, Iwuchukwu also noted that capital punishment has never abated crime. Accordingly, the 21st century Christianity is obliged to increase her evangelization efforts through preaching, teaching and social ministry (such as job creation) which will help to re-orientate the idle hands to work and reduce crime rate.
The paper titled: Enhancing Evangelization and Inculturation through the Print Media in Nigeria, by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo & Peter Obinna Umekwe, discusses how to enhance evangelization and inculturation through the print media. The paper concludes on the note of experience which shows that these tools can work together for the enhancement of the faith of the people of God and for their salvation.
Another related article by Benedict Chima Okolo titled: Interpreting Market Evangelization as a Resurgence of Christianity in Nigeria, resonates the implications in the recent market evangelization as revival of Christianity. In Nigeria, the New Era of Evangelization was ushered in 1982 by Pope St. John Paul II during his first visit to Nigeria when he called for new methods of evangelization. Accordingly, the danger is that if these things are not regulated especially in checking the rate of commercialization in market evangelization, one day, the already simmering disillusionment might burst and spill over.
In his reflection on sacred liturgy, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi’s paper titled: Liturgical History as Guide through Time: Implications for the Church in Nigeria, traces the history of liturgy in the Church as a guide for ongoing reforms and for those connected to the liturgy by way of praxis to forestall any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of it. Arguing his case, Ogunlusi recommends that it is always very important to revert into history in order to build future reforms and more purposely for invigorating efforts toward achieving the purpose of the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical life. This becomes necessary since the liturgy manifests all that the Church believes and professes and it is upon this premise that history is vindicated as a tool and a guide.
Paul Okwuchukwu Azuakor’s article titled: Religion, Culture and Secret Societies: The Nigerian Experience, asserts the fact that religion defies a unilateral approach. Evidently, religion and culture mutually and deeply influence each other. Many secret societies have religious connections in their origins and wear some garbs of ritualistic, cultic, mystical and normative nature. Azuakor’s recommendations, inter alia, include: respect for the common good of man, assurance of man’s all-round rights, avoidance of violence and manipulative criminality, institution of sound moral ethics, etc.
Against the backdrop of the above listed articles from CIWA @ 40, this edition is a testimony of rich theological reservoir for Inculturation Theology. This makes this edition unique, memorable and a must-read for everyone who wishes to know more about Inculturation Theology and its allied subject matter.
As Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the Saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church, the year began on 8th December, 2020 and would conclude on 8th December, 2021. Given that St. Joseph, the husband of Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ, is famous for being the Ideal Worker who ministered to the Holy Family, the missionary work of the Church must go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic saga. More than fifty years ago, Pope St. Paul VI was emphatic that by now, Africans should be missionaries to themselves. The Church of Christ should truly be pIanted in Africa and they have to make it African through honest and result-oriented dialogue with African cultures and values. Theology should attempt to aid Africans to be truly Christians and authentically Africans (Pope Paul VI, “Address to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Kampala” 31 July, 1969). Similarly, Alyward Shorter notes that: “Africans have a legitimate desire to reformulate the truths of faith in accordance with their own cultural forms of expression. They need not and should not replicate the intellectual history of Europe in order to understand what the Gospel says about Jesus” (Alyward Shorter, Christianity and African Imagination, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 1996, 69). Accordingly, efforts have been expended on the reformation and restoration of Inculturation Theology. This edition of the Journal has been put together to help in the theological reforms mandated by the Second Vatican Council. Conscious of this development, the Editorial Board has carefully decided on the peer reviewed array of selected articles.
In this issue of JIT, Benjamin Ogechi Agbara, in his article titled: Formation of a Believing Community as the Role of the First Sign: Insights from John 2:1-12, focuses on the Gospel according to John which was written to evoke faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). Agbara challenges the Church in Africa to live out the implication of the text and eschew anything that runs contrary to it.
Another biblically oriented article, Rereading Leviticus 19:33-34 in the Context of the Current Global Migrant and Refugee Crisis, by Emmanuel O. Nwaoru, decries the plight of migrants and refugees. Nwaoru, therefore, recommends that the modern society should consider dispassionately the enduring and non-restrictive message and show concern for the wellbeing of every migrant (foreigner) on account of their vulnerability.
The set of articles with sacred liturgical-bent kicks off with the paper by Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo titled: Understanding the New Translation of the Roman Rite in Igbo Language. The article creates a path to understanding the new translation of the Roman Missal into vernacular. The currency of the paper by Anagwo lies in its wide explanation of some of these new changes which are richer in content in order to redirect towards heaven.
Relatedly, Peter Danjuma Uchu, in his paper, The Importance and Development of the Prayer of Absolution in the African Context, sets out to discuss the spiritual cum liturgical benefits of the prayer of absolution. At the end, Uchu gives some commentaries on the prayer and stresses its importance to the Church in Africa.
In his paper, Underscoring the Essence of Christian Funeral Rites within the Context of ‘Befitting Burial’ in Nigeria, Clement Temitope Ogunlusi laments the extent to which Christians today have deviated from the Biblical virtue of prudence but promote the culture of profligacy in burying the dead. Ogunlusi efficiently argues for Christian befitting burial of Christians to be encouraged in order to serve the spiritual purpose in which the souls of the dead are committed to God’s mercy and the living are consoled as well as the lessons of faith concerning death are learnt.
Charles Boampong Sarfo, in his article, Preface of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King as Catechesis for Repairing the Fractured African Continent, attempts to understand the expectation of Christians in sharing the truth of God both in practice and in word. Sarfo argued that the need to build a new continent free from corruption, moral lapses and chaos, is possible when Christians in Africa could serve as light and avoid compromising their religious obligations.
The article titled: Dogmatic Theology and the Unity of Christian Doctrine, by Cosmas Okechukwu Ebebe, dares to swim the murky waters with a passion for the protection of the doctrine of the Catholic Church from abuse that comes from subjectivism, rubricism, clericalism, passiveness and conservatism. Ebebe did not shy away from his preference for “Dogmatic Theology” as a better term to be used.
Dogmatic Controversy of the Biblical Passage on Ancestor Veneration in Ibibioland, by Anthony Okon Abel, asserts that ancestor veneration occurs in every culture, all over the world. Abel takes up the task on how to correct the wrong interpretation of some Biblical texts by Ibibio people, who after many years of Christianity still hold that there are some Biblical passages that support ancestral veneration.
The last but not the least is an insightful article by Edward Osang Obi titled: Energy Ethics and the Impact of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anchored on the fact that there is a clear nexus between the onslaught of climate change and the human technological activities. Obi calls for a systematic balance between the natural human need for energy and the levels of environmental destruction permissible in achieving it.
The ideas and experiences captured in this issue of JIT challenge theologians and scholars to be sensitive to the integration of Christian message and culture. The papers, as a whole, significantly contribute to the body of knowledge for Africans and others who need to know the relevance of the mission and vision of Inculturation Theology. It is, therefore, our singular pleasure to recommend this current edition of the Journal to all. You stand to be enriched by reading this issue of JIT as you would not regret doing so.
Emmanuel Chinedu Anagwo
Editor-in-Chief