Browsing by Author "Mang'ongo, Joseph K."

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    Liturgical Inculturation of the Rite Of Reconciliation among the Bukusu People Of Western Kenya: A Pastoral Issue
    (Tangaza University College, 2000-02) Mang'ongo, Joseph K.
    The approach to the study of this subject is basically drawn from the information gathered from different knowledgeable people. both formal and informal, the elders, both men and women, priests. religious sisters. and catechists. This broad collection is geared towards a comprehensive understanding of the Rite of Reconciliation among the Bukusu people and how to incorporate it in the sacrament of Reconciliation and penance in the light of liturgical inculturation. The information was gathered within a period of six months. "[he greater part of i• is from oral sources, which is actually the main body of my work. I used the recording system especially at some of the gatherings in big ceremonies and also from the old grandfathers and mothers who could give their nformaton in form of stories, riddles or songs. The written sources take up the priority, as much has been written about the liturgy and inculturation, although little is said about the inculturation of the Rite of Reconciliation. Throughout the interv iews 1 found out that there is a common or "popular" view among the people that see little \ alue in the sacrament of penance today. This is mainly the view of the young informants who have got several questions and misconceptions about going to the priest for confession. Although they do recognize that they commit sins, they hold that it is only God who forgives. So they ask, why go to the priest — who is just a human being like them? However, the reference that the Lord Jesus Christ left to his disciples on the day of Pentecost (Cf. John. 20:19-23) leaves us too with something to ponder, as believers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. That at the evening of the first day of the week, and the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were for fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared, and after greeting them, Ile breathed on them and said: As the Father sends me. So am 1 sending you? Receive the Holy Spirit, 11 you forgive anyone's sins. they are fin-given. It you retain anyone's sins, the% are retained. (John 20:22-23, However, when I addressed my opinions from the traditional point of view. I had a good response and appreciation of the whole idea of Reconciliation Thus among the Bukusu people it is something that is highly valued and carried out in the community at any time wherever something went wrong. Hence this gave me a greater interest to focus on the area of ineuituration. Then. w hat can be done that is not being done, so that our Christians today would appreciate fully the sacrament of Reconciliation'. This is the question that I will try to answer in this paper I he language I used in my research was the local language called Bukusu, not excluding Fnglish and Kiswahili. The general content of this essay. therefore, will include the explanation of terms: the basic principles of the Rite of Reconciliation, namely the Theological. Liturgical and C'ultural principles; the process towards inculturation of Reconciliation among the Bukusu people and finally, I will give the general conclusion with the hope that my findings will be helpful in giving a new approach to the appreciation of the Rite of Reconciliation in our society today.