The Importance of Holistic Formation in The Life of The Clergy of The Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, Kenya
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Date
2019-08
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
This is a research work which has been undertaken primarily to get a feedback on how
holistic formation affects the life of the clergy of Kakamega diocese. The researcher
responds to the call of the Church to its ministers to the process of renewal. There are
many challenges facing ordained ministers, which may pose a problem to the main
mission of the Church if not tackled. The assessment is mainly based on the formation of
the clergy, which has to start with initial formation during their seminary training and
continue throughout their life, after ordination. This formation has to be holistic, focusing
on four dimensions: Human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. There is presence of
abundant literature on the formation of Catholic priests; the study used a systematic
approach to examine the importance of holistic formation in the life of the clergy of the
Catholic Diocese of Kakamega. The study was specific in the use of Kakamega Diocese
since it would provide actual outcome based on the research objectives. The research
aimed at addressing this gap. The investigation used convergent research design. The
literature review presents in detail the general understanding of Holistic Formation, the
Church’s teaching on the formation of its priests, nature and identity of a priest, ongoing
formation of the priests and some of the challenges faced by priests in their life and
ministry. The study used stratified and random sampling design to select the participants.
The sample included the clergy, religious men and women, seminarians and parish
council members in Kakamega Diocese. Data was gathered using 196 questionnaires and
3 interview guides which were issued to the specific clergy who had experience in
formation. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and the qualitative data were
arranged in thematic form and they were interpreted in relation to the objectives of the
study. The findings were presented in tables, pie charts, frequencies and percentages. The
findings of the data provided insights concerning the importance of Holistic Formation in
the life of the clergy of Kakamega. Formation was adequately carried out and the sources
of challenges faced by the clergy were obtained. Ways of minimizing these challenges
could be done through a kind of formation which is suitable and rooted in the signs of the
time. One of the major key finding was that on-going formation is a key aspect for the
clergy. The study proposes that further research should be done on the importance of
specialists in the formation of the clergy.
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Keywords
Holistic Formation, Life of The Clergy, Diocese of Kakamega