Non-Catholic Theologian Witnesses to Gains of Small Christian Communities in Promoting Ecumenism in Africa

Prof. Getui said meetings between those who say they wish to promote ecumenism “are usually shallow, bureaucratic, one-off, showy, exclusive, intellectual, academic, and sheer jargon.”

Such efforts by Christian hierarchies are usually “elitist”, the Kenyan ecumenist said, and added, “Informal ecumenism by the grassroots people, sometimes without even realizing that ecumenism is at play, is contextual, practical, spontaneous, inclusive, participatory, long term and is feasible in aspects of life such as funerals, and weddings.”

“The work of the Small Christian Communities is commended as where ecumenism par excellence is experienced,” Prof Getui said at the September 6 palaver session that was organized under the theme, “The reception of the fruits of the ecumenical journey in ecclesial practices.”

It was the last in a series of weekly conversions that the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) 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, Prof. Getui underlined the need to enhance ecumenism for the people of God belonging to different Christian denominations to enjoy synodality.

She quoted the African saying, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone but if you want to walk far, walk together”, and added, “I think synodality is a challenge for the Church to walk far. My being here, and being a member of PACTPAN, is a sign of Synodality at work.”

The Kenyan professor underlined the significance of ecumenism, noting that many individuals, families, and communities in Africa are multi-denominational through marriage and in their daily interactions.

She decried the lack of unity among different Christian denominations, saying that there are many misunderstandings, stereotypes, and prejudice amongst Christians themselves.

“We need to create awareness about ecumenism. Many of us are ignorant of the causes of separation amongst Christians,” she said, noting that the things that matter to the people such as food, health, and inner peace “are synodal, and are ecumenism-neutral.”

One of the ways to promote ecumenism, according to Prof. Getui, is protecting children from prejudices against each other based on the differences in their denominations.

“We need to plant the seed early. We must examine the socialization of our children, and the things we say and do in our families as we deal with our young people so that the children do not grow with these prejudices and suspicions and stereotypes,” she said, adding that the “seed of ecumenism” must also be watered at all stages in homes and in schools.

Further underscoring the need to incorporate relevant courses for those in training, Prof. Getui said, “I teach in the department of Religious Studies where we have several different courses, some of them solely committed to ecumenism.”

Also speaking at the September 6 palaver session,  Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier underlined the need to engage members of other denominations with respect.

Cardinal Napier said, “One of the lessons I have learnt about ecumenism is that very often, when we talk about other Churches, we are talking about their theological positions which date back to their formation, rather than the actual faith of the people that we are dealing with.”

(Story continues below)

He recounted his interactions with non-Catholics whose description of the Eucharist was Catholic much as they do not believe in Jesus’ actual presence in it.

“Sometimes we are fighting against the ideology that is historical rather than engaging with people who are living something different,” the immediate former Archbishop of South Africa’s Catholic Archdiocese of Durban who retired in June 2021 aged 80 said.

He continued, “At the same time though, I think it is imperative for us to share what we believe as much as we can because we believe it is Jesus present in the blood and the body, whereas in a lot of other denominations, it is a symbol of Jesus’ presence and not the actual sacramental presence.”

Many non-Catholics who participated in the 14th palaver session proposed ways in which the Catholic Church in Africa can work with other churches to address the challenges of governance on the continent.

Prof. David Ngong, a leading African political theologian, highlighted the need for ecumenical conversations on the issues of governance.

According to the member of the Baptist Church in Cameroon, many of the African States are products of, and continue to be sustained by churches.

“Many of the politicians misgoverning these States are also members of the Church. They may not attend the Church regularly, but they call themselves Christians. There is, therefore, a symbiotic relationship between the Church and the state,” Prof. Ngong said.

He added, “As we speak of a governance crisis in the state, it is also to speak of the governance crisis in the Church. The hands of the churches are not clean when speaking about the governance crisis in Africa.”

In Prof. Ngong’s considered opinion, churches in different African countries must reason together to find out whether they have what it takes to address the governance crisis in Africa.