Early Methods of Evangelization by Spiritans In East Africa (Christian Villages and Education)
Date
1999-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
This work, thus, is divided into three main chapters. The first chapter gives a
glimpse of the identity of the Spiritans and a historical background of the congregation at
large. Chapter two deals with the people of Bagamoyo, their culture, religion, the impact
of slave trade and the contact between Christian and Islamic cultures. The third chapter
covers the two methods of evangelization and the critique of the methods. The methods
were the creation of the Christian Freedom Villages and Education. The Spiritans
moved in Bagamoyo taking these methods as an answer to the need of the time; Slaves
were set free but they had no where to go and had no one to care for them. Spiritans work
with the marginalized of the society. (SRL 40) The ex-slaves were the marginalized of
the time. The conclusion focuses on my personal comments on the Spiritan
understanding of mission today.
Spiritans in Bagamoyo participated and still participate in the work of the
Church on earth. She is missionary by her very nature, for according to the plan of the
Father, the church has her origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit (LG. 1).
Thus, the Spiritan missionary zeal of living the gospel message, echoes Isaiah's words
"the sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit, lie has chosen me and sent me to bring
good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to the captives and
freedom to those in prison.. .to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord." (Is.61:1-2) But,
did the methods of evangelization by Spiritans in Bagamoyo bring the good news of the
kingdom of God, the kingdom of universal table-fellowship to the local community?
Description
Keywords
libermann's Missionary, culture and religion, Spiritans to, Education, people of Bagamoyo, Catechists, Christian