The Catholic Voyage: African Journal of Consecrated Life Vol
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The Catholic Voyage: African Journal of Consecrated Life Vol. 14, 2018. ISSN: 2659-0301 (Online) 1597 6610 (Print) TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL STUDIES AND PERSPECTIVES 1. The Significance and Mission of the Institutes of Consecrated Life in Contemporary Nigeria. - Fr. Victor Onwukeme, MSP. 2. The Charism of the Institute of Consecrated Life and the Personal Charism and Talents of its Members: Divine Gifts, the Tensions and Paths to Harmony for the Common Mission. - Fr. Jude A. Ossai, OSA. 3. Relevance and Challenges of Consecrated Life in Nigeria Today. - Rev. Dr. Agnes Okoye, DDL. 4. The Importance and Role of the General Chapter as an Interpreter of the Charism and Identity of a Religious Institute. – Sr. MaryAnn Osaroejii, PHJC 5. Truth and Mercy Shall Meet Together for Renewal and Fidelity in the Church. - Oseni J.O. Ogunu, OMV. 6. Consecrated Persons and Collaborative Ministry. - Professor Kanu, Ikechukwu Anthony, O.S.A. 7. The Threat of Pentocatholicism to the Catholic Priesthood: Tribute to Monsignor Raphael Chukwubunna Anasiudu - An Old School Priest. - Fr. Emeka Nwosuh, O.P. CONSECRATED LIFE MATTERS 8. The Study of Consecrated Life in Diocesan Seminaries And Institutes For Theological Formation: The Value, Urgent Need And Implications. Rev. Sr. Dr. Nkechinyelu Ezeanyino, DDL 9. Mercy in the Dynamics of Religious And Priestly Formation. - Sr. Josephine Enenmo, OLA 10. Witnessing the Identity and Mission of an Institute of Consecrated Life in the face of Crisis and Violence in Nigeria. -- Olisaemeka Rosemary Okwara, DDL 11. Community Life in the Perspective of St. Augustine. - Fr. Jude Aniobodom Ossai, OSA. 12. The Foundation of New Religious Institutes: A Brief Commentary on the Document of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria. – Rev. Dr. Charles Ukwe, OP. Guidelines for Contributors 1 The Catholic Voyage: African Journal of Consecrated Life Vol. 14, 2018. ISSN: 2659-0301 (Online) 1597 6610 (Print) EDITORIAL “I am counting on you ‘to wake up the world’, since the distinctive sign of consecrated life is prophecy. As I told the Superiors General: ‘Radical evangelical living is not only for religious: it is demanded of everyone. But religious follow the Lord in a special way, in a prophetic way.’ This is the priority that is needed right now: ‘to be prophets who witness to how Jesus lived on this earth… a religious must never abandon prophecy.’”1 These words of Pope Francis explain in some ways the importance of the studies in the present volume of the Catholic Voyage. This edition sets out proposing reflections on some aspects of the identity, significance and challenges of Consecrated life and Societies of Apostolic life. With this general theme in mind, the “Call for Papers” suggested several specific topics, leaving prospective author with the freedom and option, obviously, to propose any other directly related topic. A selection had to be made. The resulting articles examine, broadly, the following groups of issues, many of which in one way or another are critical for a continued implementation of the call to “wake up the world”. These issues are: the identity, charisms, community life, and mission, and the distinctive characteristics; the relevance and challenges of religious Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; the formation for Consecrated life and Catholic Priesthood, and the collaborative ministries; mercy, seen also in relationship to truth; the foundation of new religious institutes and lay Christian associations; and the Catholic priesthood in Nigeria today. Through these studies the reader is invited to reflect on and act, in so far as possible, on the matters discussed, so that the Consecrated life and Societies of Apostolic Life in Nigeria may be better understood, appreciated and lived in an increasingly credible, authentic and joyous way, even amidst challenges. The opening article explores the distinctive marks of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Victor Onwukeme, MSP, explains how the people who are called to this vocation are meant to be with Jesus, learn at his feet and eventually to live like him, by embracing the evangelical vows, and living a life of solidarity, simplicity and service. Since their mission is to live in community and through a life of witness proclaim the Gospel values, the question is asked: How far is this way of life and mission being lived today? The author frankly investigates the mission and relevance of institutes of consecrated life in contemporary Nigeria. In addition, highlighting the relevance and challenges facing consecrated life, Agnes Okoye, DDL, makes some recommendations on how Consecrated life will continue to be a positive force for building a better Nigeria, rebuilding the brokenness of the society. However, she argues, to actuate the relevance and positive impact, such endeavour will depend upon the extent consecrated persons themselves are faithful to their vocation and mission. An essential part of the vocation and mission of Consecrated persons is to welcome and live the gifts, the charisms that God has given to an Institute as one religious family and to each of its members as individuals. Jude Aniobodom Ossai, 1 Pope Francis, Apostolic Letter To All Consecrated People On The Occasion Of The Year Of Consecrated Life, no. II.2 (21/11/2014). 2 The Catholic Voyage: African Journal of Consecrated Life Vol. 14, 2018. ISSN: 2659-0301 (Online) 1597 6610 (Print) OSA, boldly tackles this delicate issue. He proposes a reflection on the relationship between charisms of an Institute of Consecrated Life and the personal charisms and talents of their members. The Magisterium of the Church insists that consecrated persons must be faithful to the charism of their Institute. She also teaches that Consecrated Persons, like every other Christian, indeed humans, should with gratitude receive and responsibly use their God-given personal charisms and talents. Acknowledging that both types of charisms are divine gifts, the author discusses the nature and value of each type, the possible tensions in practical terms, and the way to ensure harmony in favour of the common mission of the Religious Institute. The General Chapter has a vital and indispensable role in the interpretation of the charism of an institute of Consecrated life and a Society of apostolic life. In this regard, MaryAnn Osaroejii, PHJC, examines the meaning of “Chapter” and what happens during General Chapters. Explaining the different levels of Chapters, she also indicates how they affect the Institute or Society whose charism it interprets for the present day and circumstances. Some specific practical issues are also addressed. First, the necessary, ever- present and impellent question of formation. Nkechinyelu Ezeanyino, DDL, clearly argues that the “Theology of Consecrated Life” should be made part and parcel of the academic curriculum of the Diocesan Seminaries and Institutes for Theological Formation throughout Nigeria. Such program will “help eliminate the stark ignorance manifested by many diocesan priests, especially the young ones, of the nature, place and functions of Consecrated persons in the Church. Such ignorance is evident in the misguided spiritual direction given to young consecrated persons by such priests, lack of appreciation and respect for consecrated persons, and poor collaboration between such priests and the consecrated persons ministering in their parishes.” The fact-checking of the widespread complaints and unnecessary tensions seen and heard over many years in this regard will not permit a reproach to her bluntness and the eagerness to see the proposed need met. The Nigerian Bishops had requested, many years ago, that such formation program be taught in diocesan seminaries. But their demand for the most part remained a dead letter or fell on deaf ears. The author suggests the many benefits that a holistic and in-depth formation program in this discipline will have for the clergy, the consecrated persons, and for the entire Church and her mission. On her part, Josephine Enenmo, OLA, examines the understanding of mercy and formation and how both can relate in discerning the suitability of a candidate for admission into religious profession or/and priestly ordination. Her article emphasizes the importance and necessity, in the collaborative venture of formation, for the Church, the Religious community, the Formator and the candidate in formation to cooperate with the grace of God in order to achieve a holistic formation. However, at the heart of the dynamics of formation, she argues, is conversion by way of internalization and expression of Gospel values. Second, the question of violence. Consecrated persons, citizens of a nation, live out their vocation and unique charisms and mission not in a vacuum, but in a concrete human society and situations. Therefore, they sometimes personally experience 3 The Catholic Voyage: African Journal of Consecrated Life Vol. 14, 2018. ISSN: 2659-0301 (Online) 1597 6610 (Print) and/or, in any case, like other citizens they are equally challenged by the violent and terrorising situations around them in Nigeria. The study by Olisaemeka Okwara, DDL addresses this reality: the problem of violence. Can a consecrated person, or a group of them, offer any help in ameliorating violence in the society? If “yes”, in what ways can consecrated persons bear witness to Christ in the situation of violence?. The author argues that, while crisis and violence challenge their total submission and faith in God, the violence around consecrated persons is an opportunity, for it challenges them to a more prophetic witnessing in the world. One of the essential elements in consecrated life in the Church is Community life. St. Augustine’s spirituality and concept of Community life has influenced many institutes of consecrated life through the centuries. The standard Rule of St. Augustine of Hippo is now followed not only by Augustinians but it has influenced many religious institutions and organizations in the world. Jude Ossai, OSA, offering another reflection, explores the theme of community life, focusing on the perspective of St.