Catholic Nun Proposes Formation that Addresses Childhood Traumas, “inappropriate sexual behaviours” among African Youths

Sr. Nkechi said that despite sex and sexuality still being regarded as a “taboo” topic with parameters set for “sexual correctness”, sexuality has taken a new turn in post-colonial Africa.

She underlined the need for formation of young Africans on sexual ethics, noting that such formation would encourage young people on the continent to consider morality of sexual behaviour, and to openly have conversations on healthy relationships.

Sexual ethics, the PHJC member,  who serves as the Board Chair of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) said, would help young people to critique sexual relationships from intellectual, social, cultural and philosophical perspectives.

The August 23 African palaver which brought together African theologians, Clergy, women and men Religious, and Laity was organized under the theme, “Theological criteria and synodal methodologies as a basis for shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral and ethical issues.”

In a concept note that was shared with ACI Africa ahead of the palaver, organizers of the event said participants would “courageously address some of the contested moral issues that came up in the last two years since the synodal conversation began in Africa.”

Concepts of sexuality, marriage and family were broadly discussed at the 12th palaver which is part of a series of virtual conversations that the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) has organized in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM).

The aim of the palavers has been to deepen the understanding of the Synthesis Report of the multi-year Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024.

In her presentation, Sr. Nkechi spoke about the need for formation of young people in Africa on sexual ethics that takes into consideration some of the questions that arise from the synodal conversations, such as those on Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ).

She said that forming young people on sexual ethics will offer them a framework that considers “how people should express their sexuality in a way that is good, true, right and just.”

Such formation, the Catholic Nun said, could include questions about the nature of human sexuality, the meaning of marriage, the concept of polygamy, and how these practices can impact family life and children’s upbringing negatively or positively.

Additionally, sexual ethics would help the young people to learn how lack of boundaries in sexual choices harm families and create family instability, Sr. Nkechi said.

The Theologian said the process of engaging young people as stakeholders emulates the synodal call to dialogue on sexuality as an important issue that she said has doctrinal, ethical and pastoral relevance.

She further underlined the need to educate educators in designing a formation program for young Africans, saying, “All pastoral agents who will be forming our youths need to educate themselves on the subject of sex and sexuality.”

“Since we are products of our society, it will not be a surprise that some of these youth formators are not comfortable discussing sexuality. And because we cannot give what we don't have, formators such as pastoral agents, parents, catechists and Church leaders need to understand sex and sexuality,” she said.

Sr. Nkechi further said that educating youth formators would create a trickle-down effect that she said would “enrich African families in these unprecedented times.”

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Participants at the PACTPAN event also mulled over the possibility of introducing positive aspects of African culture into the Church.

Fr. Augustine Anwuchie, a Fidei Donum Priest serving in Niger said that African cultures have “many wonderful rites” which, if inculcated into the Church would enrich the Sacraments. 

Fr. Anwuchie gave the example of traditional African marriages, which he said are still celebrated separately from the Church marriage.

“Why is it not possible for us to harmonize these celebrations where culture meets theology because there are wonderful values in the traditional marriage that can tally with our sacramental marriage?” the Nigerian-born Catholic Priest posed.

He added, “Harmonizing these two can help cut costs and remove lots of confusions faced by young people when they want to marry.”