Comboni Missionary Sisters As Social Ministers in Kenya From 1964 To 1998
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Date
1998-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The thirty-four years of life the Comboni Missionary Sisters have lived in Kenya,
their involvement in the fabric of life of many Kenyans, their methodology of mission, the
objectives and future goals as well as some suggestions for a better approach to mission, are
part and parcel of this paper and the very reason for its existence.
This essay is divided into three main chapters based on the see-judge-act research
methodology. The sisters' commitment in health, women's promotion and education has been
described, evaluated and some new proposals given as new ways to bring about a more
contexualised ministry and relevancy in today's Kenya.
I believe this to be the first scientific attempt to research and analyse the style of
presence of the Comboni Missionary Sisters in Kenya, and furthermore, to be the first concrete
application of the teaching dictated by the principles of social ministry into real life
situations.
Moreover, the novelty and beauty of this essay is that it is an
experiential
one
based
mostly on the lived praxis of the people it deals with. A questionnaire was used to
gather
the initial data. Twenty-six of them were sent out to various sisters involved in different
ministries. Interviews were carried out as a means to collect first hand verbal information
about
the data researched. A great deal of the information making up this paper is also coming
from
the knowledge I gathered during my two years as a student of Social Ministry as well as
from
my personal reflection derived from belonging to the community of the Comboni Missionary
Sisters.
I have chosen to delve into the various aspects characterising the presence of the
Comboni Missionary Sisters in Kenya primarily driven by the fact that this missionary family
holds as a major priority the commitment to the integral development of women. The founder,
Daniel Comboni, strongly believed in the presence and role of women in mission. Women
were given a place of relevance in his Plan for the Regeneration of Africa.
Comboni "was in fact convinced of the importance of education, particularly of women
and young girls, and emphasised the necessity for lay women and missionary sisters to bring about a change in the condition of the African woman. For Comboni, consecrated women in
Africa could help the African woman to be freed from poverty and oppression. In welcoming
the light of the Gospel message, the African women would receive the power to lead their
own people to freedom. '"
This has been also my desire as I went about doing my research and I truly wish that
my work and efforts will serve the cause of further reflections aimed at bringing about an
always fuller life both for the Comboni Missionary Sisters in Kenya and the Kenyan women
as well.
Description
Keywords
Church in Independent Kenya from 1963, Socio-political situation, Kenya Christian History, Comboni Missionary Sisters in Kenya