KENYA: Missio Aachen describes the SCCs Model as Africa’s gift to the Universal Church
Dr Miriam Leidenger, Missio Aachen Theological Researcher from Germany has asserted that Small Christian Communities (SCCs) model has not only changed the Church in Africa but can be described as a gift of the African Church to the Universal Church.
of Bukoba, Tanzania, Rev. Fr. Anthony Makunde, AMECEA
Secretary General & Dr. Miriam Leidenger from Missio
Aachen During the NSCCA 5th Meeting in Nairobi
Speaking during the opening of the 5th Workshop of Network Small Christian Communities in Africa held in Nairobi Kenya from 14th to 17th September, 2018, Dr. Leidenger who is a member of the steering committee of the Network Small Christian Communities in Africa (NSCCA) explained that in 1995, the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) took up Small Christian Communities model as the new form of being Church and developed it into pastoral priority for the Church in Asia.
“Up to the present day, hundreds of thousands of Small Christian Communities have been formed in the whole of Asia. In these Communities, Christians allow themselves to be inspired by the Gospel in order to live as followers of Jesus,” she said adding that a growing interest in the pastoral model of Small Christian Communities has for several years now been ignited in Europe as well.
Dr. Leidenger was accompanied to the meeting by Mr. Johannes Duwe a colleague from Missio, further explained that in Germany, a national team for Local Church Development has been formed to promote the development of Small Christian Communities and other forms of local and participatory Church in various dioceses.
a section of Participants listens keenly during NSCCA
Meeting in Nairobi
“In the Archdiocese of Cologne, the largest diocese in Germany, for instance, a pastoral way for the future has been initiated and former Missio colleagues who are now working in the Archdiocese are promoting this model of the Church. Therefore, the idea is spreading,” she pointed out.
Leidenger further explained that in order to vitalize the Church, the Archdiocese of Cologne is prioritizing the initiative of promoting the model of SCCs, a Church that begins in the neighbourhood.
∽End∽
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
