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The Contribution of the Catholic Church to the Development of Cameroon, and Why They Are Engaged in Development Works

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The Contribution of the Catholic Church to the Development of Cameroon, and Why They Are Engaged in Development Works The contribution of the Catholic Church to the development of Cameroon, and why they are engaged in development works. Rachel Leinyuy Kahnyuy Supervisor Prof Roar G. Fotland This Master’s Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the MA degree at MF Norwegian School of Theology, [Spring 2017] AVH5035: Thesis for Masters in Religion Society and Global Issues (60 ECTS) Study program: Masters in Religion Society and Global Issues. 25.648 words Dedication Dedicated to Evaristus Acknowledgement Thesis is work that cannot be done single handedly. It could not have come to a conclusion without the assistance of some people. I will like to thank my supervisor Prof. Roar Fotland immensely for his intellectual guidance and the ability to supervise this work. He has always been there to see everything is in place even in difficult moments especially the time he had an accident but continued his work tirelessly. I will also like to thank the Norwegian School of Theology for giving me the opportunity to study here and at the same time gave me access to many facilities such as library where I had access to books that help me greatly with my studies. I will also like to say a big thank you to my informants for dedicating their precious time to answer my questionnaires particularly Rev. Father Giles Ngwa the parish priest of the saint Peter and Paul Anglophone parish simbock and Prof.Misini Paul of Radio Maria Mvoly for helping me with some vital information, members of the local community such as, Bongnso Adeline, Loveline, Marceline, Renee and the rest. Not forgetting my mom who has been giving me her moral support tirelessly. Abstract The aim of this study is to answer the research questions and to find out why the Catholic Church is involved in development work. According to the Catholic Church, its mission is to impact faith to its people and to bring peace, unity, love and do charity works to the world at large. However, they are as well engaged in development works and practices. The Catholic church is involved in development issues such as, health care services, education and the provision of clean portable water, poverty alleviation, road construction and taking care of the less privileged. Development according to the catholic church, is an essential aspects of their mission because, they consider the fact that, people are suppose to live in social, economy, political and cultural conditions because of dignity. The Catholic Church should therefore, defend human dignity, strive for justice and peace, promote liberty and integral human development of all individuals. (John Paul II, 1995, Ecclesia in Africa) Looking at why the Catholic Church is engaged in development works, interviews proof that they are greatly engaged in those economic development activities. Additionally, when i look at the basic needs approach, I see development as a moral imperative aimed at satisfying the basic needs of human beings such as, shelter to protect themselves from rain and sun, they also need health care to live longer and healthily. Human beings also need education to become literates and excel in the modern society and to be able to take part in decision-making processes. Human development approach also look on the process of development as a way of expanding people’s capabilities and freedom. The main aim of development is to give human beings the opportunities to reach their human potentials, that is, to live healthily, to be educated and to fully participate in the life of the community, to crown it all, they also need to live in a peaceful environment. The gender centred approach and the environmental approaches. These go along in the form of poverty alleviation, sustainable development, gender equality and women empowerment. Content CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Motivation ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Research question and sub question ................................................................................. 4 1.3.1 Sub-research questions .............................................................................................. 4 1.4 Research method .............................................................................................................. 5 1.4.1 Qualitative research Method ..................................................................................... 5 1.4.2 Research design ......................................................................................................... 6 1.4.3 Background ............................................................................................................... 7 1.5 Mission ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.5.1 Development ........................................................................................................... 11 1.6 Structure of the thesis ..................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................................. 13 2.1 THEORITICAL FRAME WORK ................................................................................. 13 2.2 Theories of development ................................................................................................ 14 2.2.1 Human development approach ................................................................................ 15 2.2.2 Gender centred approach ......................................................................................... 16 2.2.3 Women in Development (WID ............................................................................... 17 2.2.4 Women and Development (WAD) .......................................................................... 17 2.2.5 Environmental Approach ........................................................................................ 18 2.3 Concept of development the Catholic perspective ......................................................... 18 2.4 Transformation ............................................................................................................... 21 2.5 Empowerment ................................................................................................................ 22 CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................................................. 23 3.1 The Roman Catholic Church .......................................................................................... 23 3.2 Development work of the Catholic Church .................................................................... 23 3.3 The Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon .................................................................... 24 3.4 Structure of the Catholic Church in Cameroon .............................................................. 25 3.4.1 Ecclesiastical Province ............................................................................................ 25 3.4.2 A Diocese ................................................................................................................ 26 3.4.3 A Parish ................................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................................. 28 4.1 Context ........................................................................................................................... 28 4.2 Geography ...................................................................................................................... 28 4.3 Culture and social life .................................................................................................... 30 4.4 Economy and life situation of the Cameroon people ..................................................... 30 4.5 Politics and Administration ............................................................................................ 31 4.6 Religion .......................................................................................................................... 31 4.6.1 Definition of Religion ............................................................................................. 32 4.6.2 Types of Religions .................................................................................................. 32 4.6.3. Islam ....................................................................................................................... 33 4.6.4 Christianity .............................................................................................................. 33 4.6.5 Protestants ............................................................................................................... 33 4.6.6 Pentecostals ............................................................................................................. 34 4.6.7 Catholics .................................................................................................................. 34 4.6.8 Evangelicals
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