Bachelor of Arts in Theology

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Browsing Bachelor of Arts in Theology by Author "Alfigioh, Tunha"

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    The Numerical Disparity Between Men and Women Of Marriageable Age Challenges the Institution Of Marriage and Sacramental Life in The Church Of Zimbabwe.
    (Tangaza University College, 2004) Alfigioh, Tunha
    For a long time now, it has been a general concern in the Catholic Church to try to speculate the future of marriage as an institution and sacrament. There has been a big outcry over the instability of marriage especially in Africa. There are many cases of divorce; single parenting and polygamous relationships and all these circumstances challenge not only the sacrament of matrimony but also the whole sacramental life of the Church. However, this paper focuses on one of those problems that are threatening the institution of marriage, that is, the numerical gender disparity between male and female of marriageable age, with special reference to the Catholic Church of Zimbabwe. Not many people have dared to discuss this issue deeply but it is an entrenched reality. The main objective that prompted me to reflect on this topic is because of my pastoral experience I had in a small town called Chivhu in Zimbabwe. I conducted a census of all Catholic families residing in that town and it was from that exercise that I realized the disparity. Fortunately, my discovery helped me to answer the question that I had about why few people were receiving communion during mass whilst the pews were packed. I came to realize that there were a lot of ambiguities around the sacrament of matrimony and these loopholes were barring many people from receiving communion. This sparked a flame of concern in me and it is out of this apprehension that I am presenting this thesis. In order to follow this presentation clearly, chapter one states the problem of shortage of men in Zimbabwe and its consequences. Most of the information used is from my personal fieldwork research. The second chapter demonstrates how this problem has directly challenged the sacramental life of the church in Zimbabwe. The third chapter is a theological reflection. which reviews the issue in the scriptural context, canonical context and ecclesial context. In other words, what does the Church say to the given problem? As I have said earlier own, that not many people have endeavored into this kind of research. It is my hope that this work will stimulate many to try this hypothesis and forge ahead with field research on the problem of numerical gender disparity. Their findings, I.hope will help the Church to find amicable solutions, which will help the church to respond fully to all her pastoral challenges.