Introduction Theology as a science was made possible through the efforts of different theologians who sacrificed their time to put into writing our relationship with God. They are numerous and from different continents. Even though they were inspired by the word of God, they were also influenced by their different cultural backgrounds. Almost all civilizations played one important role in this quest, except for a few who did play little or no…
According to James C. Spalding, et al., “Protestantism is the movement that began in Northern Europe in the early 16th century as a reaction to medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices”[1]. It was then called the Reformation, as the intention was not to begin a new religious group but to reform certain practices of the Catholic Church. The Reformation, to be precise, “began in 1517 when Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, nailed…
What this is not: It is not the history of Catholicism nor is it a trial of history of civilization. It is not even an evaluation of Nigerian Catholicism, etc. It is, simply, a personal historical-social analysis of why we, as African Catholics in general and Nigerian Catholics in particular, continue to romance certain circles in the Catholic Church instead of joining the Francis Effect that the Church is experiencing presently. Christianity…
Africa benefited a lot both from the Euro-Asian and the Arab religious groups that came knocking at her door in different moments of her history. Her seemingly modern society is, as a matter of fact, due to their ingenuity. Her present-day education and worship systems were also influenced by their philosophies. Our modern African society could not have been possible without these religious groups. However, these religious groups also stole an essential…
Ọ bu ezie na-asi n’ihe okenye nọrọ ala were hu, nwata agaghi ahu ya ma ọ rigoro n’elu ọji mana ndi kwuru si n’onye ije ka onye isi awọ n’akụkọ mara ihe nke ọkwa. Otego m bidoro nuwa na nwanne di na mba mana ihe mere n’ubọchi tata mere ka okwu a puta ihe. N’akara iri ise n’ise nke di na mbara ugwu nke ikwetọ ka eziokwu a biara doo m anya.…
Last week I questioned the methodology of our «Katikizim Nke Okwukwe Nzuko Katolik N’Asusu Igbo» and I was told it has been upgraded. But from all indications, it was only furbished and nothing more. Now that I have a copy of the latest edition, I’m beginning to think that this Catechism is based on a 19th Century methodology (more than 100 years now). It is everything except adapted to the pastoral exigencies…
When he saw the dilapidated situation of our society today, Pope Francis took a flight to Malmö in Sweden. On his arrival, he participated in an unprecedented event (for a Pope), an Ecumenical Commemoration of Reformation Day, where he prayed with our long-time separated brethren and signed a memorandum of understanding to work together for Peace and Justice. And after he had done that, his brethren gathered with him on a Holy…
In one of his best preachings, The Injury time, Pastor Chidi Okoro Afor asked a vital question on religious proliferation. Pastor Chidi, after examining the rate at which religious houses grow, mainly in Nigeria, asked what a sinner could do when he comes to a building inhabiting four different churches? Though funny a question, it’s of a vital importance in a society like ours. As a matter of fact, the rate at…
How many minutes does it take to make a good homily? This is a typical question that normally divides theological students at the end of every mass. The question is sometimes asked not only by theological students, as we can always read it in the faces of many Christians whenever they are liberated after being trapped in a long and unending homily. Which unfortunately characterizes most of our liturgical activities nowadays. Occasionally,…
In the bid to elect the successor of Benedict XVI, the princes of the Catholic Church, the Cardinals assembled in Rome for the meeting that would lead them to the Conclave. They started with the first session this morning. A calm session in which every participant was really involved, as father Frederic Lombadi, SJ, director of the Vatican Radio, expressed it. The arena of Saint Peter also wears a festive look, with…
