Yaa, Tabu Harrison (2011) Building, Strengthening and Sustaining Small Christian Communities in an Urban Set-up in Nairobi, Kenya: A Case Study in Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Kariobangi North. Masters thesis, Tangaza College - The Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
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Abstract
The African concepts of brotherhood and communion have always inspired the researcher. It is quite common to realize the expression of the above said concepts from a practical point of view when African communities, associations and other similar kinds of gatherings meet for a certain function. It is often proclaimed that the African person defines his or her own identity from the community point of view. Thus, one would often say, "I am because we are." When the word "We" is used, there is more to it than a general reflection on plurality. When "we" is put into place, then, a sense of belonging, an expression of an identity, a focus on a mutual and an intimate bond and a direction on a common purpose and a common goal are realized. The evangelist Luke in Acts 2:42-47 brings us closer to our own understanding about community gatherings. Luke displays the identity of this particular community. According to the New Jerusalem Bible, this particular community is referred to as "The Early Christian Community." Members of this particular community met for the breaking of bread and for the prayers. They shared their faith and everything in common. They met in the temple as well as in their houses. The expression of the term "we" has plenty of room in this particular scriptural passage. The essential elements surrounding the word "we" are also highlighted. The above given paragraphs provide an opportunity for us to reflect on the essence of Small Christian Community from both an anthropological (The African based concept of we) and a scriptural point of view. The Church has developed some theological reflections with time basing herself on the "Model of a Family Church." The Second Vatican Council has been quite instrumental in terms of what has come to be known as the "Ecclesiology of Communion." This kind of ecclesiology features in as a shift from the previous known models where the Church would operate within the Institutional (Hierarchical), Herald (proclaimer), Sacramental and Dialogical models. SCCs in their best assume the Community model. As a way of building on the aspect of the model of Church for Africa, the AMECEA bishops thought of building and strengthening faith communities that would definitely propagate the idea of the Church as a family. They had the intention of localizing the Church mainly on the aspects of making her become self-ministering, self-propagating and self-supporting. This dream was to be realized through the building of SCCs within the region. The underlying factor on the whole concept of building SCCs within the region is to enhance an active role and an effective way of participation by the laity. The laity are supposed to own the SCCs. The clergy have an advisory and a consultative role when it comes to the operations of SCCs. With this picture in mind, we are able to see the essential and crucial role of SCCs in the Church. SCCs have become a pastoral priority and viable tools for evangelization. The researcher, therefore, intends to show the relevancy of SCCs within the AMECEA region especially in an urban set-up in Nairobi, Kenya. Having engaged himself in an in-service training (practicum) in Holy Trinity Catholic parish in Kariobangi North, the researcher will be able to reflect on the position of SCCs from a practical point of view. In the last chapter of this thesis, the researcher will be able to make some recommendations with specific emphasis on Mombasa as his diocese of origin. This particular study may not be able to address all the issues concerning SCCs. There is a lot of literature on SSCs from different authors and contributors on the subject. The researcher's greatest concern is to provoke a striking feeling based on the need to realize and appreciate the fact that SCCs are in fact a way of life.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Small Christian Communities, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Building, sustaining |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology |
| Divisions: | Afro-Christiana |
| Depositing User: | Mr Christopher Mapunda |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jun 2015 09:58 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jun 2016 10:25 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/218 |
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