The Response of the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura to the Challenge of Urbanization in Burundi
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The response of the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura to the challenge of urbanization in Burundi by THIERRY BAHIZI submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY IN MISSIOLOGY-WITH SPECIALISATION IN URBAN MINISTRY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF TD MASHAU JUNE 2016 DECLARATION I declare that: The response of the Anglican diocese of Bujumbura to the challenge of urbanization in Burundi is my own work except where acknowledged and that it has never been presented anywhere else for the award of any university degree. Bahizi Thierry (Rev) Date: June 2016 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work is a result of the joint efforts of so many people who contributed to its realization. In my heartfelt thanks expressed to them, it would be impossible for me to mention everybody, but I would like to single out some of them. Professor TD Mashau for his insights and fatherly guidance. His wisdom was a great inspiration to me in completing this work. He was never tired of reading through, correcting and suggesting ways forward for a credible thesis. My thanks for that. I am so grateful to the library staff members of UNISA, and particularly to Ms Elsabé Nell, for her help in the search for adequate material on my topic. May the Lord bless them for such help. I am grateful to my fellow pastors in the Anglican Church who serve in the municipality of Bujumbura for allowing and helping me to conduct the research in their parishes. They warmly welcomed me, answered my questions and helped me identify further potential respondents. May they know God’s blessings for that support. I would also like to register my sincere gratitude to all the respondents for their active participation in happily answering all the questions on the interview schedule. My study would have been doomed to failure if they had not freely and willingly cooperated. May they find, in this work, an encouragement for their kindness. My special thanks are reserved for Professor TD Mashau for recommending me for a UNISA bursary during my whole period of study. My poor income on which I feed my family would not have covered the study. May the Lord Jesus increase his days of life to serve so many people in the academic field. I also express my thanks to the UNISA bursary section for having considered my applications favorably and granting the tuition fee whenever needed. May they find my sincere appreciation in this work. I would also like to extend my special gratitude to my wife, Telephonse Nimpaye, and our children, Batel, Chris, Don and Queen for their patience, encouragement and support. They were kind and patient enough whenever I was busy with my academic load. May they share in the joy at the success of this study. I thank everyone who helped me in one way or another towards this achievement but who, for various reasons, remain unnamed here. This success is theirs too. Last but not least, I am thankful to God for having been behind the success of this thesis. He provided me with strength, skills and enough grace to undertake this study which is part and parcel of my ministry to the urban residents, especially the urban poor. May His name be always uplifted and praised. ii SUMMARY The study explores the response of the Anglican diocese of Bujumbura to the challenge of urbanization, especially in the area of urban poverty. The introductory Chapter provides the framework within which the study will be conducted. It also includes a literature review, which is devoted to urban poverty showing how it could be addressed. In Chapter 2, the study analyses the context of urbanization in Burundi, particularly in the Bujumbura municipality, where urban poverty is reported to be high. It then highlights the Church’s missionary calling when it comes to the challenges of urbanization. Chapter 3 reports the findings of interviews and focus groups conducted with members of the nine Anglican parishes serving the Bujumbura residents. These findings are interpreted in Chapter 4 through the lens of the praxis cycle. Chapter 5 provides an effective model in the context of urban poverty. The study explored through the reasons behind urban poverty and proposes effective solutions to it. It aims at sensitizing the Church to be concerned about urban ministry and suggests an efficient model for eradicating poverty and bringing about a transformed community to be enjoyed by all the residents. This model will inspire both the Anglican Church, the other denominations, the faith-based organisations and whoever strives to serve urban residents. KEY TERMS Urban poverty, urban community, urban theology, holistic mission, community transformation, migration, migrant, Anglican diocese of Bujumbura, the municipality of Bujumbura iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and motivation ................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Problem statement ................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Relevance of the study ......................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Objectives of the study ......................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Significance of the study ...................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Limitations of the study ........................................................................................................ 7 1.7 Literature review .................................................................................................................. 7 1.7.1 Urbanization reality .......................................................... …………………………..7 1.7.2 Theological understanding of the city .............................................................. ……..9 1.7.3 Effects of urbanization: urban poverty ............................................................... …..10 1.7.3.1 Physical aspect of urban poverty ............................................................ …….11 1.7.3.2 Spiritual aspect of urban poverty .................................................................... 14 1.7.4 Holistic ministry among the urban poor ................................................................... 15 1.8 Research framework ........................................................................................................... 18 1.9 Research design .................................................................................................................. 18 1.10 Research methodology ..................................................................................................... 22 1.10.1 Participant-observation........................................................................................... 22 1.10.2 Interview ................................................................................................................. 23 1.10.3 Focus groups .......................................................................................................... 24 1.11 Research instrument ........................................................................................................ 25 1.12 Data analysis .................................................................................................................... 25 1.13 Ethical considerations ...................................................................................................... 26 1.14 Organization of the study ................................................................................................. 27 Chapter 2: Analysis of urbanization in Burundi and the Church’s missionary calling to urban challenges……………………………………………………….………..30 2.1 Introduction….........................................................................................................30 2.2 Urbanization in Burundi: An overview……………………….…………………..30 2.2.1 Geographical context………………….……………………………………32 iv 2.2.2 Social context………………………………………………………………33 2.2.3 Political context…………………………………………………………….34 2.2.4 Economic context…………………………………………………………..35 2.2.5 Religious context…………………………………………………………...36 2.2.6 Urbanization and its challenges…………………………………………….36 2.3 Urbanization in Bujumbura: Immediate focus……………………………………38 2.3.1 Geographical context……………………………………………………….38 2.3.2 Social context………………………………………………………………40 2.3.3 Political context……….................................................................................42 2.3.4 Economic context…………………………………………………………..44 2.3.5 Religious context…………………………………………………………...46 2.3.6 Urbanization and its challenges…………………………………………….46 2.4 Urbanization as a challenge to city Churches…………………………………….48 2.5 The Church’s missionary calling to urban challenges……...…………………….50 2.6 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...54 Chapter 3: Research findings……………………………………………………………….55 3.1 Research description ……………………………………………………………..55 3.2 Identification of people’s needs…………………………………………………..59 3.3 Personal involvement in urban life………………………………………………..62 3.4 Mission of the Anglican parishes to the municipality of Bujumbura…………….64 3.4.1 Holy Trinity Cathedral ..................................................................................74 3.4.2 Christ the King parish....................................................................................76