The Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as A Means of Living Affective Love in Community Among Religious Women Living Along Lang’ata South Road in Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Consecrated Life (A Publication of the Conference of Major Superiors of Nigeria)
Abstract
This study examined ways in which the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity enhances living of affective love in communities among religious women. The objectives of the study were: to examine the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as a means of promoting mutual trust and openness in living affective love in the community; to evaluate the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as a way of enhancing mutual respect and acceptance; to assess how the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity could reinforce companionship and sharing; to determine how the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity could facilitate teamwork and effective communication; and to establish intervention strategies for facing the challenges of the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity as a means of living affective love in the community. The study was guided by the Stages in the Development of the Community Model by Hammett and Sofield (1981). The research used a convergent parallel mixed method design, which involved the use of questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data from the questionnaires was coded, tabulated and presented in frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was summarized according to the emerging themes and presented in narrative form and precise quotes. The findings of the study revealed that faithfulness to the values of the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity enhances mutual trust and openness; mutual respect and acceptance; companionship, sharing, teamwork and effective communication among the sisters. However, the results of the study also showed some inconsistencies in the understanding of the values of the vow and its practical living in communities. The study recommends that formators must engage in continual update of the values of the vow of Chastity as well as incorporating current theological, psychological and sociological advancements for more effective life of chastity. The study also recommends that major superiors and formators must intensify formation for Chastity in both initial and on-going formation. Particularly, they must pay attention to the uniqueness of each individual, impart practical ways of living affective love in community as well as provide mentorship for consecrated persons in the living of affective love.
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Keywords
Evangelical Counsel of Chastity,, Affective Love, Community, Continence, Consecrated Women, Mutual trust, Openness, Mutual Respect, Acceptance, Companionship, Sharing, Teamwork, Effective Communication