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| From Left: Fr. Febian Pikiti Mulenga, AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator, Pastor Gischuru of Kajiado Anglican Church Archdiocese, Bishop John Obala of Ngong Catholic Diocese and Rev. Prof. Clement Majawa of CUEA School of Graduate Studies |
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) School of Graduate Studies has convened a round table discussion on globalized challenges of the family in the 21st century church and society in Africa.
This is in response to the Holy Father Pope Francis invitation to agents of evangelization, the civil society and especially Institutions of Higher Learning to participate in the discussion on the topic of ‘The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization,’ a very important topic for transformative humanization today.
The Pope has convened an extra-ordinary synod of the family from 5th to 19th October, 2014 on the theme “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization”.
Among presenters of the round table discussions at CUEA is Rt. Rev. Bishop John Obala Owaa of Ngong Diocese in Kenya who gave out the Key Note Address to the participants and Fr. Febian Pikiti Mulenga, the Coordinator of AMECEA Pastoral Department.
Fr. Pikiti in his presentation emphasized on the role of the Catholic University in making theology of marriage and family life have a pastoral relevance. “Society as a whole is founded on the family and thus, marriage has to be preserved in its dignity and sacredness as a bond between man and woman, open to procreation and committed to the care of children,” he said.
Fr. Pikiti said that the society and marriage as an institution is facing enormous challenges and this is the reason why the Holy Father has called for the extra-ordinary Synod.
He said that the round table forum will help AMECEA respond to the challenges facing marriage and family life in the region.“The challenges are global and we need to understand what are the realities affecting people today,” he explained.
The forum, which also brought on board experts in marriage and family life from different sectors and perspectives explored on such issues as: understanding the pastoral challenges of the family in the light of Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium: An African Perspective; the role of parents and Church in education in Africa today; Marriage and Family Life: A Catholic Perspective; Family and Sustainable Development; Social and Economic challenges facing families in Africa today; Mass media influence on family values in Africa: Mapping the opportunities and risks; The challenges of mixed marriages to family life today and a challenge of balancing professional, finances and family life in African context today among other issues.
SOURCE: AMECEA Communications Office and Pastoral Department