Browsing by Author "Ikpe, Remigius"
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- ItemAn Evaluation of Polygynous Marriages in Amochime and Amudara Communities in Eastern Nigeria(Tangaza University College, 1998-02) Ikpe, RemigiusIn Christianity today in Africa, inculturation, indiginization and many other such concerns for making the Church truly African and truly Christian are critically urgent for both African and non-African theologians. Polygamy, as one of these issues, has received the greatest attention. From the very beginning of missionary activity in Nigeria, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, (not forgetting earlier missionary efforts) missionaries have grappled with the problem of polygamy. This problem has persisted despite all the efforts itit into it and the attention it has so far received. The main problem here is how to accept people in polygamous marriages into the Christian faith community, while maintaining a faithful witness to the sacramental reality of Christian marriage. There was always a way out throughout the years, but has there been a real solution to the problem? Despite the progress made in the area of inculturation, the problem of the African marriage systems (which are mostly polygynous) has remained cloudy. No Synod or Ipiscopal conference has claimed to have given an exhaustive analysis of the problem, not definitive solutions that are theologically sound and pastorally valid. It is really such a complicated and intricate issue that no one can claim to have a clear-cut solution. I theicfme acknowledge that I am not here intending to give a solution but to contribute to the del)iiic by invesligating 80111C illIp01111111 'SSW'S based on first hand experience, so that our quest kim will be more relevant and our debate helpful. David MaiIlu pointed out that there are a great number "of press debates that have been going on about the merits and demerits ... of polygamy," also, many questions ho; it westerners regarding "the philosophy, or sense, if any, of African polygamy." A wide range of people from different cultures and walks of life, more than we may expect, are concerned about this issue; but a major problem is that most of us are not adequately informed about the issue. Without sound research, our questions will not be to the point, nor touch the core, making our debate irrelevant to the needs of the people; thus, our solutions, at best temporary, will not touch the central issue at stake. Many modern African men and women, both young and old, are seriously searching for solutions to the problem surrounding the contrast between polygamy and the Christian faith, witnessed to in the Christian monogamy, that sacramentally symbolizes the union between Christ and his Church and the union between God and humanity. This search is not for abstract theoretical theological principles but for practical guidelines. This yearning is very apparent not only among Catholics but also among other Christians and some belonging to the African traditional religion, men and women alike. I discovered this during my year of pastoral experience in 1993. I thus came to the conclusion that polygyny and its influence within the Christian community needs serious evaluation. I therefore took this opportunity to carry out a practical field research among two communities: the Amochitne community and the Amudara community. This research is the back bone of this essay. Purpose and Significance of the Study: In the documents of Vatican 11 (the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World), marriage and family life are treated in part II as the first of the issues requiring special attention.2 This shows family life as the seed of society and Christian family life as the microcosm of the entire Church. Anything affecting the family consequently affects the whole community as a reality that came into being from that nucleus. The concern and care due to the family can never be overestimated. It is therefore my hope and desire that this study will enrich the quality of African Christian family life. It could help young Africans who might be attracted to polygynous unions, at least, to be aware of the situation they are getting into and its consequences for their lives. Our ministers of the Gospel and their co-workers are in great difficulty as they struggle to find a practical pastoral solution to the problem existing between monogamy and polygamy in the witness to Christian faith in the different cultural situations. While this essay is an effort to gain a better understanding, integration and internalization of the values I have obtained through my four years of studies, and to reinforce and prepare myself for an authentic witness to the faith in my African cultural situation, it is also a contribution to the pastoral workers in this struggle. This essay fulfills the academic requirements of the mission department of Tangaza College, simultaneously contributing with anthropological research to our missionary efforts to attain a richer inculturation of the faith. 1 believe that this study could be of great value for our contemporary African Christian communities. The essay is divided into five chapters: The first chapter gives a brief review of sonic research already completed, opinion of others and the 0111Shall struggles with African polygamy. The second chapter is dedicated to the practical field work embodying the research findings. The third chapter is an analysis of the information, with anthropological tools, to discover the factors influencing the polygyny and the foundations on which such a practice is based. While the fourth chapter is a brief evaluation of the Catholic stand for monogamy, the fifth chapter is a search for possible remedies for the pastoral problems of polygyny/witness to the Christian faith, leading to the conclusion. The amount of energy and resources spent on marriage and family life in Africa points to the relevance, complexity and urgency of the matter. Most assemblies and research programs on African marriage and family life end with an appeal for further research from "Anthropological, Sociological, Theological, Pastoral and Liturgical view points."' In this appeal, the need to consider other research programs already completed was emphasized. It is thus appropriate to start with an investigation into the findings of other research programs already completed and the opinion of others in the Christian struggles with polygyny. I hope you will find it informative and interesting.
- ItemFactors Influencing Vocation to Brotherhood in Holy Cross Congregation District of East Africa(International Journal of Culture and Religious Studies, 2021-01) Kakeeto, Rogers; Omollo, Fredrick; Ikpe, RemigiusPurpose: The general objective of the study is to assess the factors influencing the rate of vocation to be a brother in Holy Cross Congregation in East Africa. The objectives that guided the study are; to explore how social status influence vocation to be a brother; to examine how the factor of being a clerical congregation may be influencing vocation to a brother; to determine how the need for professional career satisfaction influences vocation to be a brother, to investigate how different motivations influences vocation to be a brother and to identify possible ways of responding to challenges of vocation to be a brother in Holy Cross Congregation in East Africa. Methodology: The study used convergent parallel approach to the mixed methods research design. The target population in this study is107 and used Total Population Sampling to study the 107 respondents. The study used interview guide and self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The quantitative data will be coded and analyzed systematically and presented using figure, percentages and chats. The qualitative data was analyzed according to the emerging themes and the results of both the quantitative and qualitative findings were compared to draw out their significance for the study. Findings: The study established that social status, lack of awareness and perception that clerical vocation is more prestigious and glamorous than that of brotherhood are some of the factors affecting reduced vocations in brotherhood. Unique contribution to theory, policy, and practice: The study recommends the need for a rigorous promotion of brotherhood vocations, training of brothers as professionals, uplift the status of brothers and put in place proper discernment of vocations to reduce the high rate of brothers’ turnover.