TANZANIA: Late Rev. Prof. Magesa Encouraged Young Theologians to Think Critically, Value African Heritage: Eulogy
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The late Tanzanian-born cleric described as a “great African Theologian,” Prof. Fr. Laurenti Magesa has been eulogized as a role model who shaped the minds of young theologians to reason and analyze information intelligently and value African heritage.
“The years he (Prof. Magesa) served at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and other Institutions of higher learning within and outside the AMECEA region and his short stay at AMECEA Blessed Bakanja Seminary contributed substantially in building up a generation which cherish critical thinking while valuing our African heritage,” the chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde eulogized the late Prof. in his message shared with AMECEA online.
“His writings and teaching career has inspired many young theologians in building up a coherent African theology,” Bishop Kasonde of Zambia’s Solwezi Diocese, added in the message signed Tuesday, August 16, days after the death of Prof. Magesa.
According to the Zambian Prelate, the late cleric who passed on Thursday, August 11, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has died at a time when the African Continent needed him most synodal issues that are currently ongoing in the Church.
“As we respond to the call of His Holiness Pope Francis on Synodality to journey together as Church in our local context, Fr. Magesa was fully involved in this synodal journey in collaboration with other theologians in our region,” Bishop Kasonde mourns the late theologian adding that he received the “sad news with deep sorrow.”
Bishop Kasonde who is serving his second term as the Chair of AMECEA acknowledged that even though God blessed the late Magesa with many talents, “he never fell short of faith in his creator and commitment to priesthood.”
In the message addressed to Bishop Michael Mabuga Msonganzila the Local Ordinary of Musoma Diocese, Tanzania where the late Prof. belongs, Bishop Kasonde “On behalf of the Bishops of AMECEA, the Secretariat and other Church Institutions conveys condolences to the entire Diocese of Musoma and the family of the late Prof. Magesa during this sorrowful moment.
From one of his students Fr Paul Mung’athia Igweta whom he taught African democracies and was also the supervisor until his time of death at Tangaza University college, a constituent of CUEA, prof. Magesa was a “great theologian and a sage in African philosophy.”
“He has mentored many student who have become great minds in the church and the society,” Fr. Igweta the AMECEA coordinator for the department of Promoting Integral Human Department (PIHD) shared with AMECEA online in an interview Wednesday, August 17, adding that, “Prof. had passion for uplifting African democracies which he says is hardly studied and people easily consider it primitive.”
Prof. Magesa an alumnus of Makerere University in Uganda and University of Ottawa, Canada who died a day after his 76 birthday, published several books and articles on moral theology exploring more on the church, and Christian ethics in an African context.
The giant of African theology as some have described him, Prof. Magesa is remembered as a legend and humble cleric.
“As my teacher, I knew him as a father of African Theology. He was a role model. A model of humility, determination and integrity. He made me realize that theology could be and had to be contextualized and so African Theology had a space in the Theological Debate,” Sr. Jacinta Opondo a former student of the late Prof. at Hekima University College in Kenya, and currently has been a colleague lecture of the late Fr. Magesa at the same Institute of higher learning, shared with AMECEA Online Thursday, August 18.
The nun who is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna (FSSA) and a canonist underscored that, “As a colleague he (Prof. Magesa) was a symbol of humility, very knowledgeable, yet down to earth.
She noted that the departure of Prof. Magesa whom she describes as the legend “is a great loss to African Theologian fraternity, and even though he has left, his legacy remains for legends don’t die.”
On his part the former principal of Hekima College, Nairobi and currently the Vice Chancellor of Arrupe Jesuit University in Harare, Zimbabwe Fr. Joseph Oduor Afulo mourned the late professor recalling his simplicity, dedication in writing and reading Papal encyclicals and availability in offering his services to God’s people.
“Fr. Magesa was a good listener who spoke only when it was necessary. He was approachable to the young students and inspired them to pursue theology as a way of serving the Church and the people of God,” Fr. Afulo narrated and expounded further, “His writings were in simple language that allowed even not professionals in theology to grasp his thoughts.”
“He was deeply rooted in African culture and anthropology and this influenced his reflections, talks and writing. He kept abreast with papal thoughts, reading closely any issued encyclicals or apostolic exhortation. He was always available for the priests, religious, and lay people, especially for those who desired to tap into his wisdom,” recounts Fr. Afulo a member of the Religious Order of the Society of Jesus (SJ).
According to the former Provincial Superior of the Eastern Africa Province of SJ, the late Fr. Magesa who joined Hekima University and served for 12 years, taught students Moral Theology, African Christian Theology as well as offering seminars and electives related to inculturation and contextualized theology.
“He was a great inspiration and friendly to the students. He was a person who had great respect and love for the Church. He was respectful to authority and knew his limits,” the Harare-based Kenyan cleric recalls the late Fr. Magesa adding that, “He avoided controversies and carried out his responsibilities with great diligence, commitment and responsibility.”
After his interaction with members of the SJ for a number of years, Fr. Afulo said, “He easily integrated himself in Jesuit life and practices, living a simple and humble life. He was a deeply prayerful servant of God and took his priestly life seriously.”
“The Society of Jesus in Africa and Madagascar is grateful for his dedicated service during these days, and we pray that the Lord that he served in his life with great dedication as a priest, teacher, counsellor and role model to the young people may have mercy on him,” he concluded.
The late Fr. Magesa was laid to rest Thursday, August 18, in his home diocese Musoma in Tanzania.
