Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
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| Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa Vice Chairman for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) |
The two-day conference at Tangaza University College (TUC), a Kenya - based constituent College of the Catholic University of Ea stern Africa (CUEA) which focused on the Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Africa” (The Church in Africa) at 25-years, the symposium among other discussions focused on deeper approaches to be used in evangelization for “authentic witnessing and transformational progress in Africa.”
Speaking during his key note address presentation at the conference Monday, February 17, Vice Chairman for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa suggested seven pastoral strategies that need to be used to fulfil the mission of the Apostolic Exhortation of Saint Pope John Paul II that was released in 1995.
“Evangelizing through personal witnessing,” was the first proposal by Bishop Owaa as a pastoral strategy that needs to be intensified. According to him, “Life of personal witnessing attracts many people to God,” and in this case, “Personal testimonies, spiritual experiences, extraordinary revelations, speaking in tongues, healing and miracles from the religious leaders and members of the congregation attract many people to God.”
“Evangelization through ‘Martyrdom of daily experience’ was another recommendation given by the Bishop Chairman of Justice and Peace Commission KCCB. In reference to this proposal the prelate quoted Saint John Paul II who said, “As Christians, you should be an authentic agent of evangelization by becoming a witness, a martyr of the truth in Church and society.”
“This entails meeting opposition, unfair criticism or encountering suffering, discrimination and death because of your position of defending and following the truth which often is a sign of contradiction to many people…(by) witnessing to the Gospel through martyrdom, many are attracted to God.”
Convened under the theme Ecclesia in Africa at 25years: Challenges and Opportunities,” the Church leader placed emphasis on pastoral stock taking looking at the “challenges and opportunities for future authentic living and witnessing” in Africa.
“Evangelizing through the practical love, hope and witnessing,” was another proposal by the Bishop on how to deeply evangelize. According to him we need perseverance “when we suffer the pains that result from doing things God’s way.”
“It is time for Christians and all people of good will to rise to the great calling we have been given and live from a position of highest form of love,” the prelate explained in reference to evangelizing through practical love and added, “Though there may be many with whom you disagree, those we think hold beliefs that are disgraceful, disgusting and evil, it is only the way of sacrificial love that can influence their conversion.”
Another recommended strategy was on “Evangelization through simple, meaningful and intense prayer.” The Bishop shepherd of Kenya’s Ngong Diocese said, “Prayer works and leaves indelible mark of witness in the hearts of people.”
“When prayer is not genuine it is not real prayer and the heart knows the truth. When your prayers are not genuine your heart does not align with your words.” He referred to ‘Ecclesia in Africa’ no.76 which explains the importance of prayer that “The Church in Africa, in order to evangelize, must begin by being evangelized herself ‘through prayer.’
The prelate further recommended “Evangelization through opening up to and to be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.” In this case “evangelization should always be relevant, credible and faithful to the Holy Spirit who is the principle agent of evangelization.
He concluded by proposing “Evangelization through genuine mutual, reciprocal, and transparent inter-religious dialogue and ecumenical engagement as part of true witnessing” and also “Evangelization through doing contextual theology, catechesis and spirituality of inclusivity with people on the periphery.”
The two-day symposium was organized by Tangaza’s School of Theology in celebration of the silver Jubilee of the Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Africa.”