KENYA: Catholic University of Eastern Africa Launches Three Books Among Them One By Late Fr. Mvumbi
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, CUEA, on Thursday, May 2, launched three books among which was a revised edition of the book ‘Going Beyond Religious Traditions in Africa’ by the Late Rev. Fr. Frederick Ntedika Mvumbi, PhD, a former Professor of Humanities and Social Studies at CUEA who passed on exactly two months ago.
The other two books included, Impact of Traditional African Sacrifice on the Value of the Eucharist: Lessons from the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay, by Rev. Dr. Chrispine Ouma Nyandiwasa former coordinator of AMECEA Pastoral Institute, Gaba and currently a lecturer in the Faculties of Theology, Arts and Social Sciences at the CUEA and Missionary Renewal: Rethinking Approaches and Paradigms for New Evangelization in the Light of Vatican II which is a product of proceeding of the 19th Interdisciplinary Theology Session held in CUEA in 2017.
The three-days event which was attended by staff and students from CUEA and CUEA constituent colleges of Tangaza, Hekima and Chemichemi, as well as from St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Apostle of Jesus Seminary and other neighbouring institutions was platform to discuss matters affecting the Church and Society.
Two out of the three books, that is ‘Going Beyond Religious Traditions in Africa and Missionary Renewal: Rethinking Approaches and Paradigms for New Evangelization in the Light of Vatican II were published by AMECEA Gaba Publication,’ CUEA Press.
“Perhaps some will wonder why we are launching a book posthumously of our brother Fr. Frederick Mvumbi. The reason is that the two books published by CUEA Press were in line together; his came first and ours followed. So when Fr. Fred’s book came out, he shared copies with some of us including me and we agreed that we would launch these two books at a given time during this semester. We all know what happened,” Rev. Prof. John Lukwata from the Faculty of Theology at CUEA explained during the book launch.
Prof Lukwata further indicated that he felt authorised to launch the Late Prof. Mvumbi’s book along with the other two because they were published by the same publisher and are both from the institution. “Tributes have been given to Fr. Mvumbi and I think this will have added another beautiful tribute.”
In his book ‘Going Beyond Religious Traditions in Africa’, the Late Prof Mvumbi reviews the nature and scope of Philosophy of Religion and provides a philosophical basis for honest dialogue of cultures and religion. He explores the foundational doctrines of African traditional religions, Christianity and Islam in order to have a comparative and authentic appreciation of their creeds. He then invites believers of all religion to go beyond their own traditions and seek a genuine appreciation of the philosophies and cultures of other religions.
According to Prof Mary Getui from the Department of Religious Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences at CUEA, the Late Prof. Mvumbi lived his book.
“Those who knew Fr. Mvumbi must have seen him dressed like an Arab and wondered whether he was really a priest or not. Yes, indeed he was a Catholic priest, a Dominican. He would say that the attire did not make him a Muslim, it was rather just an attire he acquired when he went to study in Egypt. Therefore, he could balance between being an Africanist and Dominican priest, and also teacher of Islam,” Prof Getui said adding that “We thank God for his life and the fact that we have material such as this which continues his legacy.”
∽End∽
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
