KENYA: Bishop Mbatia commends The Good Shepherd, a Journal of Pastoral Theology from CUEA
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| Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia |
Rt. Rev. Joseph Ndembu Mbatia, Bishop of Nyahururu Diocese in
Kenya has commended the Good Shepherd, a Journal of Pastoral Theology launched
on Friday 8th April by the Department of Pastoral Theology of the
Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
Bishop Mbatia who with his counterpart, Rt. Rev. Rodrigo Mejía
Saldarriaga, SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Vicariate Apostolic of Soddo led the
launching ceremony said that the Journal will be a very important tool in the
evangelization strategy, because it will contain major topics of great concern
which has been researched, analyzed and found to be helpful in the caring of
souls, hence bringing a spiritual change, which is the main object of pastoral
ministry.
Saldarriaga, SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Vicariate Apostolic of Soddo led the
launching ceremony said that the Journal will be a very important tool in the
evangelization strategy, because it will contain major topics of great concern
which has been researched, analyzed and found to be helpful in the caring of
souls, hence bringing a spiritual change, which is the main object of pastoral
ministry.
Speaking at the colorful event which was held at CUEA’s maincampus in Langata Nairobi, Mbatia explained that the main aim of evangelization
is to convert, to transform people lives for the Kingdom of God; the Kingdom of
justice, love and peace.
“The pastoral Ministry which in other words is regarded as the Ministry
of Salvation has no other aim than the care and cure for souls. This does not
exclude individual and collective advancement, in the light of the Gospel, of
the human person,” he said adding that the introduction of the Small Christian
Communities in the AMECEA Region was aimed at this important role as captured
in the book Small Christian Communities
by Joseph G. Healey and Jeanne Hinton, which says that “The Church to be at
the grassroots, to respond to various challenges that the human person
encounter in life, plant and deepen the Christian faith.”
of Salvation has no other aim than the care and cure for souls. This does not
exclude individual and collective advancement, in the light of the Gospel, of
the human person,” he said adding that the introduction of the Small Christian
Communities in the AMECEA Region was aimed at this important role as captured
in the book Small Christian Communities
by Joseph G. Healey and Jeanne Hinton, which says that “The Church to be at
the grassroots, to respond to various challenges that the human person
encounter in life, plant and deepen the Christian faith.”
Bishop Mbatia however, noted that in the present times AMECEA Region
faces quite a number of challenges, which include political instabilities in
some countries which in some cases have resulted to massive loss of innocent
lives. “Those who suffer most are the women and children. Violent acts like
sexual abuses to women and children are very rampant in the war torn areas in
the AMECEA Region.”
faces quite a number of challenges, which include political instabilities in
some countries which in some cases have resulted to massive loss of innocent
lives. “Those who suffer most are the women and children. Violent acts like
sexual abuses to women and children are very rampant in the war torn areas in
the AMECEA Region.”
Other things the Bishop mentioned include poverty regardless of the fact
that the region is endowed with quite a number of natural resources, diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, tribalism whereby attaining the highest position in
leadership as a tribe is key to peace; unequal Distribution of resources and negative
cultural/traditions practices such as cattle rustling.
that the region is endowed with quite a number of natural resources, diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, tribalism whereby attaining the highest position in
leadership as a tribe is key to peace; unequal Distribution of resources and negative
cultural/traditions practices such as cattle rustling.
He said these challenges are affecting the Church in a big way and
not only worries the Pastoral Theologians but has also given sleepless nights
to systematic Theologians.
not only worries the Pastoral Theologians but has also given sleepless nights
to systematic Theologians.
He said that understanding the faith is key to live true to the
Gospel teaching because Islamic Religion which does not tolerate the presence
of any other religion is slowly penetrating to the interior of the Region and
slowly by slowly gaining followers. “When the Catholic Christians are not fully
informed on the truth of their faith, they fall victim of other religious
faiths,” he said.
Gospel teaching because Islamic Religion which does not tolerate the presence
of any other religion is slowly penetrating to the interior of the Region and
slowly by slowly gaining followers. “When the Catholic Christians are not fully
informed on the truth of their faith, they fall victim of other religious
faiths,” he said.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online
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