Maryknoll Institute of African Studies

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    Integrating African Spiritual Formation Values with Christian Values in the Religious Formation of African Men and Women in Nairobi - Kenya
    (Tangaza University College/Saint Mary university of Minnesota(Nairobi Campus), 2015-05) Mutesh, Petronilla Lumati
    The study explores whether there has been any integration of African spiritual formation values with Christian values in the religious formation of African men and women in the many religious houses in Nairobi. This comes out of the call from the African Synod of Bishops on inculturation in 1994. The task of exploring this out was done among congregations of men and women; thus the indigenous and the international congregations. The focus was on how much is being done to embrace some of these African spiritual formation values in the formation of these African men and women so as to enable them to find their own identity within the church in the true spirit of inculturation. The study reveals that the majority of African religious men and women feel uncomfortable to express and fully radiate who they are as African religious. They remain in a state of identity loss, and tend to feel uncomfortable in embracing their core values from African cultures which form part and parcel of who they are. The result of which, as it was found out, is the cause of an identity crisis among African religious men and women. It was ironical and surprising to learn that the integration of African spiritual formation values has not taken root in religious congregations founded within Africa. One would have expected that these congregations would set the pace in the implementation of the integration of African spiritual formation values with Christian values among their members. This shows how the apparent slow integration of African spiritual formation values in formation of African religious men and women cannot be blamed on congregations of foreign origin alone. The study also found out that there are differing interpretations and expressions of African spiritual formation values by Africans and non-African men and women religious; for example, whereas the African value of hospitality is given strong emphasis by Africans, the same is still a value but perceived and expressed differently by non- Africans. Even among Africans, the manner in which the older members understand hospitality is different from the younger ones, requiring more dialogue that may foster a common understanding. In conclusion, the study therefore, points to the need to foster a solid foundation in both initial and on-going formation of African men and women with an integrated and holistic understanding of religious life. This goal can only be achieved through the integration of African spiritual formation values of family built on love, forgiveness and solidarity, spontaneous prayers, self-reliance and hard work, respect for elders and authority, hospitality, other-centeredness and service. Religious men and women in Africa are part of the global church and in order to experience an atmosphere of feeling at home, the call to inculturation cannot be over-emphasized. This call needs to be deepened and nurtured for religious life to take root on the African continent.