The Gospel of Prosperity and Healing Ministry in African Pentecostalism
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The Gospel of Prosperity and Healing Ministry in African Pentecostalism: A theological and pastoral challenge to the Catholic Church in Uganda. By Samuel Mugisa (D-4046 UKSW) Submitted in accordance with the requirements for degree of Doctor in Theology (specialization Missiology) Supervisor: Prof. UKSW Dr. Hab. Wojciech Kluj OMI Auxiliary Supervisor Dr. Mariusz Boguszewski Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw 2021 ii Figure 1.0: The Widows offering (Except from Lk 21:1-4) Source: Excerpt from Luke 21:1-4 (NRSV), author’s design, Warsaw, 2021 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................................................... viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................... ix ABBREVIATIONS......................................................................................................................................... x INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 1 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ............................................................................................................................ 8 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 9 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH ............................................................................................................ 9 STRUCTURE OF THE WORK ................................................................................................................... 10 MAIN ARGUMENT .................................................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER ONE.......................................................................................................................................... 12 UGANDA’S GENERAL SOCIAL-ECONOMIC RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL SITUATION 1.1 Uganda’s present situation ...................................................................................................................... 13 1.1.1 The Ugandan People .................................................................................................................. 14 1.1.2 Glaring poverty .......................................................................................................................... 14 1.1.3 “Excessive love for wealth and money” ..................................................................................... 17 1.1.4 Upsurge of “prosperity gospel ministers” ................................................................................... 19 1.1.5 The reality of sickness and quest for healing and wholeness ....................................................... 20 1.1.6 The critical need for Theological training of Pastors .................................................................. 22 1.1.7 The deep roots of the African Traditional Religion (ATR) ......................................................... 26 1.1.8 Nominal Christianity and syncretism .......................................................................................... 28 1.1.9 Mushrooming Religious Movements and Sects .......................................................................... 29 1.1.10 Uganda learning from the history of the Church ....................................................................... 31 1.1.11 A love for the rich vis-à-vis the option for the poor .................................................................. 32 1.1.12 Political situation in Uganda ..................................................................................................... 35 1.2 Christian mission and Evangelization in Uganda ................................................................................... 37 1.2.1 Percentage distribution of Religions in Uganda .......................................................................... 39 1.2.2 Priesthood in Uganda and the formation of the hierarchy ........................................................... 40 1.2.3 Christianity, literacy and education in Uganda ........................................................................... 44 1.2.4 Cardinal Lavigerie and the White Fathers in Uganda .................................................................. 49 1.2.5 Ingenuity of the local converts ................................................................................................... 52 1.2.6 Cooperation between missionaries, local chiefs and Catechists .................................................. 54 1.2.7 Translation of the Bible and other Christian literature in Uganda ............................................... 56 1.3 Competition and disillusion among religions in Uganda ....................................................................... 62 1.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 64 iv CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................................ 66 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN UGANDA AND THE CHALLENGE OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS AND SECTS 2.1 Some Considerations regarding New Religious Movements ................................................................. 66 2.1.1 Struggle for survival and the belief that needs will be met .......................................................... 67 2.1.2 Christian identity and witness of life today ................................................................................. 68 2.1.3 Quest for a mutual and dynamic approach in youth ministry ...................................................... 70 2.1.4 New Evangelisation ................................................................................................................... 71 2.1.5 Communion and a sense of belonging ........................................................................................ 72 2.1.6 Pastoral formation of leaders ...................................................................................................... 73 2.1.7 Liturgy and use of the Bible ....................................................................................................... 74 2.1.8 Cultural originality of Africa ...................................................................................................... 76 2.2 The African Independent Churches ........................................................................................................ 81 2.3 Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God ....................................................... 88 2.4 The Bisaka sect – “the Faith of Unity” (FoU) ........................................................................................ 93 2.5 Pentecostalism in Africa ....................................................................................................................... 100 2.6 Pentecostalism in Uganda ..................................................................................................................... 104 2.6.1 Origin and growth of Pentecostalism in Uganda ....................................................................... 104 2.6.2 The Balokole Revival Movement ............................................................................................. 105 2.7 Characteristics and trajectories of African Pentecostalism .................................................................. 109 2.7.1 Evangelisation and emphasis on the action of the Spirit ........................................................... 109 2.7.2 Centrality of the Bible .............................................................................................................. 110 2.7.3 Celebrity status of Pentecostal preacher(s) ............................................................................... 111 2.7.4 Teaching centered on divine blessings and people’s needs here and now ................................. 112 2.7.5 Utilization of Religious Broadcasting ....................................................................................... 113 2.7.6 Autonomy of Women ............................................................................................................... 115 2.7.7 An eschatology that locates Christian hope here and now ......................................................... 117 2.8 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 118 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................. 120 THE GOSPEL OF PROSPERITY 3.1 Pathways of the Gospel of Prosperity ................................................................................................... 120 3.1.1 The Roots of the Gospel of Prosperity ...................................................................................... 121 3.1.2 Lifestyle of Prosperity Gospel preachers .................................................................................. 127 3.1.3 Music as a tool to enhance the Prosperity Gospel ..................................................................... 128 3.1.4 Prosperity Wealth