MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
UNDERSTANDING THE FAMILY TODAY: A STRATEGY FOR CONSOLIDATING A CHRISTIAN FAMILY AS THE ESSENTIAL AGENT OF EVANGELIZATION IN MASAKA DIOCESE. CASE-STUDY MAKUKUULU PARISH
BY
MUYANJA RONALD (BA. PHIL.) (URBANIANA)
REGISTRATION NO: 2016/HDO3/1996U
STUDENT NO: 216020038
A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO GRADUATE SCHOOL AS A PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER’S DEGREE IN RELIGIOUS AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
OCTOBER, 2018 i
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DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to my beloved parents Mr. Byakatonda George and Mrs. Najuuko Lydia who implanted in me the virtue of seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Also, more dedication goes to all my beloved brothers, sisters and friends who have helped me in carrying out my research in one way or the other.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I acknowledge in the first place God’s providence which has enabled me to complete this academic task. May His name be glorified.
I extend my gratification to his Lordship Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa, Vicar general and vocations’ Director of Masaka Diocese for the financial support they have rendered to me towards a successful completion of this academic project.
To my supervisor, Rev. Fr. DR. John Baptist Kiggundu, thank you very much for the parental moderation and guidance. I thank also all my respondents for the detailed information revealed towards this noble task.
Much thanks also go to the Seminary community, especially the Rector and staff, both teaching and non-teaching for their contribution towards my academic requirements. I am grateful to all seminarians of St. Paul’s National Seminary-Kinyamasika for offering me an opportunity to concentrate on my academics and research work.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
DECLARATION ...... ii
APPROVAL ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
DEDICATION ...... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... v
TABLE OF CONTENT ...... vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...... xi
ABSTRACT ...... xii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 The Background of the Study ...... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ...... 2
1.3 The Objectives of the Study ...... 3
1.3.1 General Objective ...... 3
1.3.2 Specific Objectives ...... 3
1.4 Research Questions ...... 3
1.5 Significance of the Study ...... 4
1.6 Conceptual Fame Work ...... 4
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms ...... 5
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1.7.1 Family ...... 5
1.7.2 Evangelization...... 6
1.8 Scope of the Study ...... 6
1.9 Conclusion ...... 6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 7
2.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 7
2.2 Family in General ...... 7
2.3 The Situation of the Family Today ...... 7
2.4 Challenges Facing the Family Institution Today ...... 9
2.4.1 Social Change in the Modern Era ...... 9
2.4.2 Moral Decay and Irresponsibility ...... 9
2.4.3 Violence and Abuse ...... 10
2.4.4 Materialism and Individualism ...... 10
2.4.5 Loss of the Sense of Sin ...... 11
2.5 Misunderstandings about the Family Institution Today: A grievous blow to the Church and Society ...... 11
2.5.1 The Misunderstandings that Marriage is a Vocation ...... 12
2.5.2 The Misunderstandings that Building the better Society depends on the Family ...... 12
2.6 The Christian Family and its Functions in the Society and the Church ...... 13
2.6.1 Understanding a Christian Family ...... 13 vii
2.6.2 Functions of a Christian Family in the Church and the Society ...... 14
2.6.2.1 Functions of the Christian Family in the Church ...... 14
2.6.2.2 Functions of the Christian Family in the Society...... 15
2.7 Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization ...... 16
2.8 Strategies for Consolidating the Christian Family in Modern World ...... 16
2.6 Conclusion ...... 21
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ...... 22
3.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 22
3.2 Research design ...... 22
3.3 Geographical area and Population ...... 22
3.4 Sample Selection ...... 23
3.5 Research Instruments ...... 23
3.5.1 Questionnaire ...... 23
3.5.2 Interviews ...... 24
3.5.3 Direct Observation ...... 24
3.6 Study Procedure ...... 24
3.7 Data Analysis and Interpretation ...... 24
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS ...... 26
4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 26
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4.2.1 Table I: (a). According to you, is it true that the family in Makukuulu Parish is much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago? ...... 26
4.2.2 Table II: (b) Indicators that the Current Situation of the Family in Makukuulu Parish is much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago? ...... 27
4.3 Objective Two: Challenges Facing the Family Institution Today ...... 28
4.4 Objective Three: Functions of a Christian Family ...... 31
4.4.1 Table IV: (a) Functions of a Christian Family to the Church ...... 31
4.4.2 Table V: (a) Functions of a Christian Family to the Society ...... 32
4.5 Objective Four: Ways of Consolidating the Christian Family as the essential agent of Evangelization in the Modern Era...... 34
Ways of Consolidating the Christian Family as the essential agent of Evangelization in the Modern Era...... 34
4.6 Conclusion ...... 36
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ...... 37
5.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 37
5.2 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ...... 37
5.2.1 The Situation of the Family Today ...... 37
5.2.2 Challenges Facing the Family Institution Today ...... 38
5.2.3 Functions of a Christian Family ...... 39
(a). To the Church ...... 39
(b) To the Society...... 40
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5.2.4 Ways of Consolidating the Christian Family as the essential agent of Evangelization in the Modern Era ...... 41
5.3 Limitation of the findings ...... 42
5.4 Implication of findings ...... 42
5.5 Conclusion ...... 43
CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 44
6.1 CONCLUSIONS...... 44
6.2 Recommendations ...... 45
6.3 Suggested Areas for Further Research ...... 48
APPENDIX I: REFERENCES ...... 49
APPENDIX II: RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE ...... 52
APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW GUIDE ...... 56
APPENDIX IV: LIST OF RESPONDENTS ...... 57
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AA= Apostolicam Actuositatem AL = Amoris Laetitia AG= Ad Gentes Can. = Canon CCC= Catechism of the Catholic Church CIC= Code of Canon Law (1983) CSDS= Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Church ED= Evangelium Gaudium EN=Evangelii Nuntiandi FC= Familiaris Consortio LG= Lumen Gentuim GS= Gaudium et Spes CDF = Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith GS= Gaudium et Spes No. = Number
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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research was to establish the importance of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish. This was achieved by the following specific objectives: to examine the situation of the family today, to explore the functions of the Christian family, to find out the current challenges facing the family, to find out the ways of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time. The researcher’s interest in this project was geared by the tremendous amount of false perception and misguided understandings exhibited among the people of Makuukulu Parish and in Uganda at large towards the essential purpose, strength and weakness of the family institution. Misguided cultural stereotypes and frequent parental misperceptions about the family today clearly depict a situation of increasing rate of domestic violence, divorce and separation, cohabitation and premarital relationships, moral decay and irresponsibility, materialism and individualism. This condition at hand compelled the researcher to find out the root cause of all this and how best can be addressed in order to consolidate the Christian family in the modern world. The study intends to contribute to the theory and practice by establishing the hypothesis that understanding the family today consolidates Christian families as the essential agents of evangelization in the modern era. The research was conducted in thirteen sub-parishes that make up Makukuulu parish. A survey design was used in data collection. The Data was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed and tabulated in chapter four. A total number of fifty-five (55) respondents were engaged by the researcher. The research findings indicated that 60% of the Christians in Makukuulu parish do not have a deeper understanding of the essential qualities of marriage and family life and 20% have a negative attitude towards Christian marriages. The researcher therefore recommended the maximum cooperation among Church leaders, parents and the society during the remote, proximate and immediate preparations for marriage and family life so as to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time. In conclusion, the researcher proposed that further research be conducted on how marriages in Uganda can be sustainable and minimize instant marriage breakups to guarantee a lasting family institution and the realization of Christ’s mission.
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of the Study
The Christian family which has a vital and indispensable role in the evangelization (Act 18:8) is undergoing a rapid transformation in the contemporary world. The Christian family which is the domestic Church and the first human society has been affected by the current social, moral and economic patterns of the modern times. Today the Christian family has undergone such profound changes to the level where every member of the family is devoted to look for money through economic and political ways. Parents are no longer the first teachers of faith to their children and the homes are no longer the first school of Christian and human values.
As a consequence, the once cherished and esteemed institution regarded as the first herald of Christian and human values with regard to the children and the neighbouring community, has suffered the grievous blow in the contemporary world resulting from the neglect of its fundamental role of building up the people of God (CIC, 1983, No.226). This is witnessed in the highly pronounced frequency of family disintegration caused by the combination of the factors both from within and without. The family in Makukuulu Parish has become a victim to all the current evils and abuses in the Church and the society. This has rendered it weaker in its duty of being the principle and essential agent in the economy of proclamation of the Good News of salvation.
The family institution which was basically nuclear and extended, was held with a great esteem for it encouraged and strengthened its members to live as the group of individuals that know, care for, and share with one another, worship together and seek to centre their life, relationships and activities on the development of Christian and human values (Peschke1990, 543). Indeed, this practice suited the kind of duty the Christian family has to undertake in evangelization. This helped the family to be the centre and vital cell for Christian living hence becoming the first herald of faith. Due to this traditional family structure, the family played a big role in deepening of the Christian faith and more so to the spiritual formation of the lay faithful due its approach to Christian living and human formation through prayer, informal education and solidarity (Tusingire F, 2003, 201).
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Unfortunately, the once esteemed nuclear and extended family structures have been undermined by the so-called modern family situations like; families with over working parents, divorced families, single person households, families with young parents, families with step parents, and families with irresponsible parents. These new modern family situations are sweeping away all the traditional family structures. Thus, many people in Makukuulu Parish are considering this new family life style to work better than the traditional ones. The traditional family setups are not only being undermined but also presented as out of date and non-modern. They are being replaced by the capitalistic tendencies which practically promote the capitalism and egoism in the Church and society. Therefore, as a quick remedy to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization, understanding the situation, roles, strengths and weaknesses of a family today would be the best strategy.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Today than ever, the once esteemed family values like; living as the group of individuals that know each other, care for one another, share with one another, and worship together are declining especially in Makukuulu Parish and this has left the whole family institution weaker in all aspects and its stability at stake. The change from the above traditional family values to the modern family situations such as over working parents, families with single person households, families with young parents and families with step parents has weakened the Christian family’s indispensable role of evangelization today. The once cherished traditional family values which was practically strengthening and building the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization have been substituted by the modern ones which are unfortunately apparent in value than being real. The change from the traditional family setup to the so-called modern families can be manifested by the following trends of patterns: the family is no longer a place of Divine worship and school of Christian and human values due to the frequent busyness and absenteeism of parents at homes. This has led to the existence of undisciplined and faithless young people in the Church and society, the rampant existence of nominal Christian parents whose lives are not moulded on Christ and constant misunderstandings in the families. All these vivid negative consequences in Makukuulu Parish are deemed to be emanating from the failure to understand the family situation today. This has polarised the Christian family rendering it incapable of being the essential agent of evangelization and it has a lot of bearing on the Church and the society hence, its sorrows and 2
weakness have a great bearing on the evangelization of the whole world. Second Vatican council calls the family the domestic Church “ecclesia domestica” (LG. No.11) meaning that it should be the first Church where all people first learn the faith, moral and other Christian and human values. Therefore, this authentic teaching of the Second Vatican council on the family is helpful if we need to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern era. In the above situation, understanding the role, goal, strength and weakness of the family today would be a remedy to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish-Masaka Diocese.
1.3 The Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 General Objective
To establish the importance of consolidating the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in Makuukulu Parish
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
To examine the situation of the family today To explore the functions of the Christian family today To find out the current challenges facing the family in Makuukulu Parish To find out the ways of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time
1.4 Research Questions
1. What is the current situation of the family in Makukuulu Parish? 2. What are the functions of the Christian family? 3. What are the current challenges facing the family in Makuukulu Parish? 4. Give the possible ways of consolidating the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in Makuukulu Parish?
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1.5 Significance of the Study
The study will help the parents, Church and state to realize that the family today is far much different from the family in 50 years ago. This will lead them to devise strategies proper to the current family situation such that it can be strengthened and supported as the foundational block for the building of the Church and society. The study will also help the reader to appreciate the role of the Christian family in evangelization today. It will be used by other researchers to carry out further studies on the role of the Christian family in the mission of the Church.
1.6 Conceptual Fame Work
C.Vs (1) C.Vs (2) C.Vs (3) C.V (4)
The Change in Domestic violence Divorce and Moral decay and irresponsibility the social order and abuse separation among the
parents
I.V IMP.V B.V D.V
Understanding Examining the Cooperation of Consolidating the the family today current situation parents and Christian family as of the family Church leaders the essential agent
of evangelization
U. Cs L.Cs The possibility of over Good and responsible stressing the duty of evangelization and Families become places of neglecting other duties like divine worship families for the growth of economic duties Integrally formed persons Christian and human values dutiful and responsible Morally upright children citizens Less domestic violence
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KEY I.V = Independent Variable D.V= Dependent Variable IMP. V. = Implementation Variable B.V. = Bridging Variable C .Vs. = Constraining Variables L .Cs. = Latent Consequences U .Cs. = Un-Intended Consequences
For consolidating the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in the modern time, the family institution needs to be well understood today that is; its roles, challenges, strengths and weaknesses. It requires examining and analysing its current situation as it is shown in the implementing variable (IMP.V). This requires also the Cooperation of parents and Church leaders as indicated in the bridging variable (B.V). Parents have to play their role as the first teachers of catechism to their children. The Church also has to play her role of pastoral work such that the family is strengthened and empowered as the first school of Christian and human values. Each having played its respective role, then, we shall have consolidated the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization which will result into the following; good and responsible families for the growth of human and Christian values, dutiful and responsible citizens, disciplined young people and less domestic violence. As seen above in an attempt to understand the family today, there are a variety of bottle necks both from within and without such as the social order, domestic violence and abuse, divorce and separation, moral decay and irresponsibility. All these are setbacks in an attempt to consolidate the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
1.7.1 Family
Etymologically, the term family is from the Latin word “Familia” which means a group of people affiliated by consanguinity (by recognized birth), affinity (by marriage), or co- residence or shared consumption. Members of the immediate family include spouses, parents, 5
brothers, sisters, sons and daughters and members of the extended family include the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and siblings and in-laws. In the broader sense a family is a primary social group or unit based on procreative partnership of sexes and normally constituted by the community of parents and children (Farrell, 1967, 826).
Technically, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a family is the conjugal community established upon the consent of the spouses and ordered for the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of children (CCC. 2201).
The people in Makukuulu Parish define the family as an institution where there is a father, a mother, children, grandparents, and relatives staying together, caring for each other and centre their lives on the development of Christian and human values.
1.7.2 Evangelization
Evangelization is the bringing of the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself (EN, No. 17).
1.8 Scope of the Study
The research is limited to understanding the situation of the family today, and how this strategy can help to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in Morden world. This entails examining the situation of the family today, the current challenges of the family, the role of the Christian family and the ways through which the Christian family can be consolidated as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern times. This research was carried out in Makukuulu Parish, Masaka Diocese.
1.9 Conclusion
The above Chapter has put forward an introduction of the research which has rotated on the background of the study, the statement of the problem, significance of the study, conceptual framework, Operational definition of terms, and the scope of the study.
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CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the review of the literature related to the family institution and the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization. The presentation and discussion have been done under the themes; the notion of a family, the situation of the family today, the challenges of the family today, misconception of the role, goal and strength of the family today, understanding a Christian family, importance of a Christian family, the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization, and how to strengthen and support the Christian family in order to overcome its challenges of the modern times.
2.2 Family in General
The Catechism of the Catholic Church understands a family as the conjugal community which is established upon the consent of the spouses. Marriage and the family are ordered to the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of children (CCC, No. 2201). In God’s plan, the family is established as a result of marriage. Therefore, it is a divine institution ordered for the good of spouses and for procreation and education of children (CCC, No.2201), and according to its divine vocation, the family has a supreme duty to build up the people of God (CIC, 1983, No.226). A man and a woman united in marriage, together with their children, form a family. This institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to recognize it. It should be considered the normal reference point by which the different forms of family relationship are to be evaluated (CCC, No. 2202). In some instances, this understanding of a family has been used in this study.
2.3 The Situation of the Family Today
The family today appears much different from the way it used to be 50 years ago. The definition of a family today and a family in the past is far from similar. The family has changed dramatically in many more ways. Families had rules that were stricter and families were closer in the sense of a relationship. Members of the family today just do not seem to spend time with each other. The mother and father both have jobs and tend to not be home for the children after school as a consequence, is causing more independence among the 7
members of the family. Children that have more independence make mistakes on their own without being warned about them. Independent children have no guidance and get out of hand because there is no strong boss type figure around most of the time to help them distinguish the difference between right and wrong. Peschke (1990, 543) underlines the basic characteristics of a traditional family in 50 years ago namely; Care for, and share with one another, and worship together. These major traditions have been forgotten as the years have gone by and caused more separation among the family members. A family in 50 years ago that did not Care for, share with one another, and worship together would be a strange one but today it seems to be of the norm. Once again, the jobs affect this aspect of the family as well. People are just too busy at work and too tired to even foster and promote this practice at home anymore. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents who were living in the extended family used to advise new parents especially on how to parent. Although some of these extended families still exist, they are now the exception rather than a rule. Despite the fact that many parents still need and want the support the extended family provided, they have founded an adequate replacement. For example; Teachers at school, opinions from the peer groups, singers, radio and TV presenters have become the child care takers, the aunts and uncles of today’s young generation. Divorce and single-parent families have become one of the most threatening family situations today that need special attention. National statistics indicate that 20% of children under age of 18 are living in families with single parents (Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 2006). In most circumstances the missing parent in the family today is the father. In other words, the group of single parents is comprised of women who are even poor and incapable of sustaining and upbringing children. They spend too much time with work commitments while leaving the noble responsibility of parenting hence the prevalence of undisciplined and faithless young generation. By examining today’s family situation, the researcher has tried to show that in the family institution there is much diversity and that persons in each family are of inestimable worth. It behoves the Church and the society to develop new models and find a new strategy for supporting and consolidating the family today. Awareness among parents, Church and the state leaders that the family has changed, is changing, and will change is critical (Lutz, 1983, 367-375). They would do well to work harder to affirm families and make sure that although 8
the world is changing, the family remain the vital cell for the foundation of the Church and human society (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No.213). The kinds of families described are families that need the Church and the collective responsibility of the society to nurture them in the way that reflect the reign of God in this modern time.
2.4 Challenges Facing the Family Institution Today
The family and marriage institution as a whole today face a wide range of challenges. These range from domestic violence that is from within the family itself to the external arena that is from the socio-economic spheres. The most current challenges within and without the different family structures are; the change in the social order, moral decay and irresponsibility, violence and abuse, materialism, individualism, and loss of the sense of sin.
2.4.1 Social Change in the Modern Era
Today than ever, the world is experiencing rapid changes in the modern society. This has created a chance for different people of different behaviors and backgrounds with different world views to come into contact and this has caused a lot of bearing on the family institution from one family to the whole society. The research shows that the current family problems like domestic violence, sex abuses, divorce, faithless and immoral young generation are as a result of these changes in the society (GS 1965, No. 6). The advancement in technology and man’s creativity has led man to put God aside and depend on only the empirical answers for their survival. This explains why young people ask questions on everything that happens to them during growth. In the same way (GS, 1965, No. 7) asserts that the change in attitudes and structures frequently calls accepted values into questions.
2.4.2 Moral Decay and Irresponsibility
The serious challenge is that of moral decay and irresponsibility in the society today. Moral decay and irresponsibility in Uganda has reached an alarming level where almost every aspect of life is affected. This situation is explained by premarital sex, unfaithfulness in marriages, incest, rape, defilement and abortion, prostitution to mention but a few. It is unfortunate because these current issues of moral decay and irresponsibility cases are the leading causes of family disintegration and breakouts today (Mugabi and Nasimiyu, 2013, 9
100). For example, a fifty-year-old father in Rakai district having an affair with his daughter and left her pregnant (The New Vision, 11th April. 2017, 6). In 2013 a girl killed her father for raping her (The New Vision, Friday 13th Sept. 2013, 8). The current abortion cases in our societies are beyond what we can understand. For example, in 2013 Mukono district health officer Dr. Elly Tumushabe told New Vision that the district recorded 945 abortions, 61 of which were the result of domestic violence (Elly Tumushabe, 2013, September 16). In these cases of irresponsible parenthood many parents qualify to be blamed for not being interested in moral formation of their children leading to the rampant existence of immoralities among them. Most parents are no longer shaping their children’s behaviors in an acceptable way. As a consequence of this current irresponsible parenthood the young generation resorted to a lot of social evils hence leading to disintegration of the family institution. The public is advised to be vigilant and uphold family values. Uganda must not take that route. The family institution needs to be exemplary as parents and teachers of the Church and society and nurture children into responsible citizens. This will help to consolidate the family in our modern era because today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens and leaders. That is to say, the kind of children we have today will determine tomorrow’s citizens and leaders.
2.4.3 Violence and Abuse
The psychological, physical and sexual violation and abuses in the families have damaged and affected women and children today and this has a lot of bearing to the whole family institution (Instrumentum laboris, 2014, No. 66). The indicators of violence and abuses have been identified in Makukuulu Parish where women are regarded as weaker and inferior sex and children are denied of their rights to study and to acquire human formation which must be first received from home.
2.4.4 Materialism and Individualism
Materialism refers to the tendency of considering material possession and physical comfort more much important than spiritual values (Edwards, 1972, P. 156). Today many marriage couples understand the quality of marriage to mean wealth and pleasure. Paul VI, (1975) asserts that suffering is considered useless and yet it is necessary for one to draw endurance
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and be rewarded by God in the life to come. This situation causes the impoverishment of interpersonal relations which is the heart of human and Christian formation in the family. The tendency of desiring too much of the material acquisition and consequent pleasure leads to individualism which affects the development of personal relationship and distorts family bond (Francis, 2016, No. 67).
2.4.5 Loss of the Sense of Sin
Today man has been enticed by the current social and moral evils and as a result is the abuse of freedom. He lifted himself up against God, and sought to attain his goal apart from Him. Although he has known God, he did not glorify him as God, but his senseless hearts and served the creatures rather than creator (GS, 1965, No. 13). The loss of sense of sin is due to the misunderstanding of freedom where the meaning of good and evil depends on the judgment of each individual. Man tries day by day to remove God and to convince others that God is no longer an issue in the lives of people (Marx, 1976, 87).
2.5 Misunderstandings about the Family Institution Today: A grievous blow to the Church and Society
Family institution is an awesome school of Christian and human formation where every individual first learns to love God and His creatures. The family is called to announce the Gospel to the human person during growth and to bring him or her, through a progressive education and catechesis, to full human and Christian maturity (John Paul II, 1981, Pg.7-8). Today there is plenty of upside to the understanding of the role, goal and strength of the family institution. There is a tremendous amount of pressure, and false obligations that surround our perception of family today both coming from within or outside the family. Being able to identify family and marriage misunderstandings can help couples, the Church and society to avoid a lot of pain down the road. The misguided cultural stereotypes and frequent parental misperceptions about the family today can be identified by the following indicators.
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2.5.1 The Misunderstandings that Marriage is a Vocation
All Christians in whatever state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity (GS, 1965, No. 40). When the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a Christian vocation, she is saying that the couple’s relationship is more than simply their choice to enter a union which is a social and legal institution. In addition, marriage and family life involves a call from God and a response from two people who promise to build, with the help of Divine Grace, a lifelong, intimate and sacramental partnership of love and life. Pope Francis (2016, No. 70) writes: Marriage is a vocation, inasmuch as it is a response to a specific call to experience conjugal love as an imperfect sign of the love between Christ and the Church. Consequently, the decision to marry and to have a family ought to be the fruit of a process of vocational discernment. The married couples do not understand that marriage is a special vocation that is given to the few who are chosen by God. As a consequence, the world is like what it is today because parents and children mistakenly regard the family and marriage as anything that satisfies human and personal goals (Mayanja, unpublished, P.19). In doing so they forget that family is established as a result of marriage and in God’s plan, the family is a divine institution ordered to the good of spouses and for procreation and education of children (CCC, No.2201), and according to its divine vocation, the family has a supreme duty to build up the people of God (CIC, 1983, No.226).
2.5.2 The Misunderstandings that Building the better Society depends on the Family
The family is presented, in the Creator’s plan, as the original cell of the society (Gen 2:18). It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life. Authority, stability, and a life of relationships within the family constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within the society. The family is the community in which, from childhood one can learn moral values, begin to honour God, and make good use of freedom. The family life is an initiation into the world (CCC, No.2207). A society built on a family scale is the best guarantee against drifting into moral decay and irresponsibility, violence and abuse, materialism, individualism, and loss of the sense of sin in the modern world.
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It is patently clear that the good and the proper functioning of the society are closely connected with the healthy state of family institution. Without families that are strong in their communion and stable in their commitment, the society grows weak (Becker and Landes, 1977, 1141). Therefore the couples in the family should understand that it is their responsibility to build the society. They have to remember that they are the salt and light of the world and the city built on the mountain of God (Mt 5:14-15). If the world is full of immoralities, violence and abuses, and if the world is without religion, people must know that the family is needed a serious remedy to build the better society.
2.6 The Christian Family and its Functions in the Society and the Church
2.6.1 Understanding a Christian Family
The Christian family was given a name like: the domestic Church; the fundamental community of life and love; the first school of love and life; the reflection of the home of Nazareth and others. These names reflect the various roles a Christian family has to play in the Church and society. The Vatican Council II document clearly defines the Christian family as the one springs marriage, which is an image and sharing in the partnership of love between Christ and the Church (GS, 1965, No. 47). The main Characteristics of a Christian family therefore, should be love, joy, patience, kindness, constant growth and all the qualities of love given by St. Paul in 1 Cor 13:4-7). The Christian family environment is the best to bring up children. When Christ instituted the Sacrament of marriage, He established a Christian family as a basic channel of His life and love to all people who are born in it (Ayward, 1997, 213). It is in the Christian family that we first aware of God’s love for each one of us. As a domestic Church all what the Church teaches must be reflected in the Christian family. Pope John Paul II (1980) describes the Christian family life as the most fundamental human community, the cell of any society with a greater impact on the society than any other group. For this reason, Christian couples have an irreplaceable mission in today’s world. The generous love and fidelity of husband and wife offer stability and hope to a world torn by hatred and division. By their life-long perseverance in living and giving love, they show the unbreakable and sacred character of the sacramental marriage bond (Bernard, 1969, 35). At the same time, it is the Christian family that must simply and profoundly promote the dignity and worth of human life from the moment of conception. 13
The Christian family is also the domestic sanctuary of the Church. In a Christian home a various values of the whole Church are found; such as mutual love, attentiveness to God’s word and prayer together. The home is a place where the Gospel is received and lived and the place from which the Church radiates (CIC, 1983, No.226). Thus, the family offers daily witness even without words to the truth and grace of the word of God. A good Christian family means a good community of life and love and a strong Church as a whole. This is why the Church is very much concerned with the welfare of the family for the foundation of the wider community. The Christian family needs spiritual nourishment to be able to cope with the demands of modern world because a good family means good citizens of the earth, and a healthy Church as well.
2.6.2 Functions of a Christian Family in the Church and the Society
Peschke (1990, 543), underlines three basic importance of the Christian family, namely: it is the primary economic community, the primary educational unit, and the primary spiritual community for man. The Christian family as a community of persons plays an indispensable role in the Church and society as a first school for the formation of Christian and human values based on the family atmosphere that is, respect, dialogue and love.
2.6.2.1 Functions of the Christian Family in the Church
The Christian family members: the father, the mother and the Children form the basic ecclesial community and many families together form the Church. As such, they have different functions to perform for the development of the Church communities. They do this by being actively involved in all different sectors such as; education of children, encouraging Christian marriages, religious activities and supporting the financial, moral and human development of the Church. The individual family members play their roles as teachers, leaders or members of small Christian communities, parish counsellors, head of the laity, treasurer of the parish to mention but a few (John Paul II, 1981, 20ff). Therefore, families have to come together and cooperate in their activities such that their effectiveness in the Church is felt. The harambee spirit is almost indispensable for the growth and the development of the Church.
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2.6.2.2 Functions of the Christian Family in the Society
Every individual member in the society must appeal to the Christian family to continue serving the society as its moral duty. The biological and moral strength of society essentially depends on the state of its families. History provides sufficient evidence that the decay of family life is the deepest cause of the decline of the society. The consequence of the position of the family as the cell in society is that all true social reform must begin with the family. All social reform which overlooks this law or acts against it is ultimately doomed to failure (Messner, 1965, Pg. 420). Pope John Paul II (1981, No. 63) writes: “thus the Christian family is inspired and guided by the new law of people; it is called to exercise its service of love towards God and towards fellow human beings. Just as Christ exercised his royal power by serving us, so also the Christian member of the family finds the authentic meaning of his Lord in sharing His spirit and practice of service to man.” The Pope elaborates on the nature of services that Christian families can engaged in, especially to the poor, the weak and those who suffer or are unjustly treated. While building up the society in love, the Christian family places itself at the service of the human person and the world. Quoting the 1980 synod, Pope John Paul II, “Another task of the family is to form persons in love and also to practise love in all its relationships, so that it does not live closed in on itself, but remains open to the community moved by a sense of justice and concern for others, as well as by a consciousness of its responsibility towards the whole society (Pope John Paul II (1981, No. 17). Christian families have the duty and the responsibility to open their homes to the destitute, the orphans, the needy and all those that need their care and attention. In serving others in the society and the Church, they serve Christ (Mathew 25:31-46). African tradition and culture stress the value of living together with other in a corporate spirit. The scripture and the Church teachings emphasise the value of living in communion with others as a family unit and in relationship to the wider community: the Church and society. To build up family truly African and truly Christian, we need to cultivate the corporate spirit in the community, in society and in the Church. We have to learn to go back to our roots of interrelationships with others. Gagno, (1982, 341) writes; “through Baptism, men and women become members of the Church and through the Sacrament of marriage; they form a fundamental human community, the family. These families are today urged by the Church, to form a communion by being members of small Christian communities and the society.
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2.7 Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization
Evangelization first takes place in the Christian family. Parents, by word and example, are the first heralds of the Gospel with regard to their children (LG, No. 11). Therefore, the Christian family is called the domestic Church and a small version of the Church (Kenyan Episcopal Conference, 1986, 6). For this reason, the Christian family receives its life from the Church and in turn mirrors the life of the larger Church. In the family, children first learn about God, love, and the Church. Mothers and fathers are indispensable in sharing the faith with their children. When parents practice and live their Christian faith, children receive a sure foundation to assist them Christian and human formation. As parents in Christian families learn and live their faith, they grow in confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Church and are nourished by the sacraments and desire to share. When parents confidently pass on the faith in a joyful and bold manner, children will learn that they are members of the Body of Christ and have also a valuable role in the Church (Glick, 1989, 24-27). Evangelization in the family is not a complicated task. It can be age appropriate and begin with simply teaching children the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father and other simple prayers. As they mature, reading from Scripture and the lives of the saints can touch their hearts and imaginations. Parents teach children to live the virtues (Gal 5:22-23) and love the Lord with their whole hearts (Mt 22: 27). When children see their parents committed to the Lord and his Church, they are much more likely to do so themselves. Christian families are uniquely qualified to invite their family members, friends, and neighbours to return to the Church or to consider becoming Christians.
2.8 Strategies for Consolidating the Christian Family in Modern World
The circumstances of life today have undergone such profound changes on the Christian family that every member of the society is entitled to speak of other factors for the foundation of the Church and society other than the family institution. These changes have left the Christian family susceptible to all current waves of the modern era. Due to these changes many Christian families are becoming uncertain of the meaning and role of the conjugal union and family life.
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Knowing that marriage and family constitute one of the fundamental human and Christian values (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No.213), the Church and society need to take a recourse on their role of protecting the family from the false beliefs about the family institution, such as the idea of rigid male domination in the society. According to Onyango, (2003, 154), the common cases of divorce, separation, extra-marital affairs, domestic violence and abuse that are threatening the family institution today are somehow due to the primitive beliefs of male domination in the society today. The Church therefore, has to present a male biblical understanding of gender relationship that stresses the equal value of men and women (Mwubiko, 2001, 179). Men and women were created to full and equal partnership. The word helper was used to designated woman in Genesis 2:18 refers to God in most instances of Old Testament (1Sam. 7:12; Ps 121:1-2) (Fretheim, 1994, 96). Consequently, the word conveys no implication whatsoever of female subordination or inferiority. For this reason, the Church in particular needs to address the young people who are approaching their age of beginning family life the purpose of discovering the beauty of grandeur of the vocation to love and the service of life.
It is the role of the Church and the society also to rediscover that the family is the first community called to announce the Gospel to the human person during growth and to bring him or her through progressive education and catechesis, to full human and Christian maturity (Pope John Paul II, 1980, 1008). Pope Francis has frequently spoken about the role of the Christian family as a domestic Church, and he exhorted the Church and society in the modern times to pick a special role of rebuilding the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization (Francis, 2016 No 67). In addition, he said, “Families are the domestic Church and first human society, where Jesus grows; He grows in the love of spouses and He grows in the lives of children.” Therefore, the Church and society’s indispensable role is to make sure that the situation of Christian families today suits this position (Synod of Bishops on the Family, 2015). The family needs to be rediscovered as the essential agent in the work of evangelization through a thorough renewal of the Church’s pastoral practice in light of the Gospel of the family and replace its current emphasis on individuals such that it becomes pastoral accompaniment that promotes growth in the spiritual life and solidarity of the people of God through devotional practices, greater attention to Scripture, and the Eucharist celebrated for families. The Church should know that her pastoral work is simply an addition
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to what the family has already built. In his speech during the synod of Bishops on the new evangelization, Cardinal Vinko Puljic of Sarajevo (2015) credited the family for the flowering of new vocations which lies within the family. He said that “because the family is the first school of faith and truly encourages a personal encounter with Christ, must be regarded as the first seminary which trains the priests for the Church (Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization, 1990). In its pastoral ministry, the Church also needs to accompany couples and families in dedicating more time and better resources in preparation for the sacrament of marriage (Can. 1063). There is a need to devote attention to those journeying toward marriage and to the already-married couples through programs designed to strengthen and prepare them for the fulfilment of their marriage commitments. For the Church to evangelize the whole world as it was mandated by Jesus (Mt 28:16-20), there is a need for the family and personal presence in the Church today such that the evangelization encounter people in a personal manner. What equips spouses and family members in a special way to be agents of evangelization is their capacity to make themselves personally present to each other, as well as to friends, associates and others. We must not disregard the fact that growth in the Church’s numbers may, in fact, have led to a lack of the personal attention that Jesus would have given to people. That is at the root of a situation in which many baptized persons do not feel they are treated as individuals, and many baptized are not re-evangelized. However, a personalized approach to transmitting the faith requires that many in the Church dedicate time to a great many individuals. For this to happen, it is necessary to have the support of the Christian family. For Cardinal Puljic (2015), it is the manner in which Christian families transmit faith with the heart that makes them effective evangelizers. He put it that Faith is communicated much more with that which it is than with that which it states. Therefore, for the Church to ensure the effective evangelization needs to present faith in a familial manner. Experience tells us that the Church attracts if it is truly lived in a familial way. The Church must become more the family of families.
The apostolate of families to families is yet another strategy for consolidating the Christian family in the modern era. The family itself can preserve, protect, heal, reform, and restore sound family life in the modern world. It is a practice that Christian families have received from the Vicar of Christ. Pope John Paul II (1982, 60-66), speaks of the Christian family’s
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responsibility in transforming society. He says, “The Christian family is called upon to take part actively and responsibly in consolidating itself as the agent of evangelization in the modern era.” The Holy Father further declares that Christian families are to evangelize by proclaiming the Gospel to other families, not only in their own territory, but even to people in other parts of the same country and to families in distant lands. Christian families by their words and deeds labour to preserve sound family life and protect family life against this organized effort that has the power of the state, the power of money, the power of education and the power of the media at its disposal. Christian families in their apostolate labour by examples to heal the grievous mortal wounds inflicted by these forces that are warring against the family.
By their practice of monogamy in marriage and continence outside marriage, Christian families can convert many families. It is believed in history of the early Church that it was mainly the practice of monogamy, continence outside marriage, chastity and charity that Christian families managed to convert the whole nations of Roman Empire to Jesus Christ (Michael, 2003, 202). Therefore, the apostolate of families to families is not just important but an imperative. Just as at the dawn of Christianity, Aquila and Priscilla were presented as a missionary family (Acts 18:2-3; Rom 16:3), so today the Church shows forth her perennial newness and fruitfulness by the presence of Christian families which dedicate at least a part of their lives to working in missionary territories, proclaiming the Gospel and doing service to their fellow men in the love of Jesus Christ (John Paul II, 1981, 67).
The variety of ways in which the apostolate of families to families can labour is immense. But it can be simply identified with the variety of needs that the modern families have. The basic formula can be reduced to several words: “Find a family need and fill it” What are these needs then? They are mainly spiritual, moral, intellectual, psychological, physical and material. Therefore, Catholic families to carry out fully their apostolate to other families they need to find the needs of those families and fill them.
How do then Christian families have to do to fill the Spiritual needs of other families? Heading the spiritual needs of families is the true faith. Parents and children must be evangelized if they are not yet Christian believers. They must be catechized if they have been baptized but do not know the faith, perhaps at all, or so poorly that they need religious 19
instruction. This is what the Pontifical Council for the Family has been urging: the on-going instruction of parents in the Catholic faith, and through them, the on-going instruction of their children. Along with religious instruction in the faith, families need to receive the sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Communion, and Matrimony. Still on the level of spiritual needs, families must be taught and trained how to pray. And by the examples of those who live in families, they labour to make other individual families to believe that there is no way they can do God’s will without prayer. No family can survive without prayer (Kartstemprel, 1995, 710).
For the moral needs of the family we must know that one of the principles of ethics is that we need other people to enable us to live a good moral life. We need encouragement, fraternal correction, and counsel from others in order to live the kind of life which we must practice to consolidate the Christian family to day. The moral problems husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, parents and children, meet in today’s chaotic world are beyond commenting. The apostolate of families to families means to seriously try to provide spouses and children with as much assistance in their moral living as we can. There are problems in marital relations and in the rearing of children. There are problems arising from broken families, fatherless families; mothers who are working full time away from their homes; of drug or alcoholic addictions. There are problems involving unwed mothers; problems created by abortion, contraception and teenage delinquency. We dare not say that these problems of other people are no concern of ours. Therefore, families must try as much as they can to exhibit a moral life living to give example and moral support to other families to live likewise.
Concerning the intellectual needs of the family, one of the spiritual works of mercy is to instruct the ignorant. Many families in our country are literally illiterate, and even among those who can somehow read or write, need instruction, tutoring, training, and teaching them the basics of what parenting means. Dedicated Christian families are indispensable in providing moral assistance to cater for this intellectual need to other families. And once they get to know something about moral living and responsible parenting, it is very easy for them to do their apostolate for the better mission of the Church. Thus, apostolate of families to families in this modern world is necessary and as well as inevitable.
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2.6 Conclusion
This chapter dealt with the contribution of other authors towards understanding the family institution today. It expounded different concepts and phenomenon concerning the understanding the family today and the ways for consolidating the Christian family as an agent of evangelization in the modern world. Notable among these are: Family in general, the situation of the family today, challenges facing the family institution today, misunderstandings about the family institution today, the Christian family and its functions in the society and the church, Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization, the strategies of consolidating the Christian family in modern world. It then remained incumbent on the researcher to find out with the aid of the methodology in the next chapter whether what is deemed ideal as presented by the authors is depicted in his case study or not. The findings of this research are presented in chapter four.
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CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter explains how the study has been conducted. It is made up of five sections and these include; the research design, description of the geography of the area and the population from which the study sample was taken, the sample selection, the instruments used in collecting data, data procedure and analysis.
3.2 Research design
Since the research intends to carry an examination on understanding the family today as a strategy for consolidating the Christian family in the modern era. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Qualitatively the researcher examined how understanding the family today is a strategy for consolidating the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish. This was obtained by analysis of various variables as pointed out in the conceptual fame work. But since the impacts of understanding the family are quantifiable in figures, a quantitative design was also employed.
3.3 Geographical area and Population
The area of study is Makukuulu Parish, Masaka Diocese. It is one of the 54 Parishes that make up Masaka Diocese. It is 38 kilometres from Masaka town along Villa Maria- Ssembabule road. Administratively, it is located within Bigasa sub-County, Bukomansimbi district. The majority of the population is comprised of Baganda though there are some other tribes within such as Banyarwanda and Banyankole. However, due to intermarriages it is difficult to identify a purely distinct tribe. The language that is commonly used is Luganda and the other tribes have adopted it as their local language. Makukuulu Parish is mainly comprised of people of the Catholic faith. However, there are also other religions which prevail within the area and these include: Moslems, Protestants, and Pentecostals The major economic activity of the natives is agriculture. The place also consists of variety of schools which offer education from primary, secondary, to tertiary. Pertaining marriage and 22
family life, majority of the Christians are illegally married and many are practitioners of trial marriage. The population of Makukuulu parish is 30,090 people according to the Bukomansimbi District Local Government Statistical Abstract 2017-2018.
3.4 Sample Selection
Given the approach of the research and basing on the limitations of time and other resources, the researcher employed probability and purposive in particular. Taking after Kisoga in his book, ‘Research Confidence’, the researcher made use of Frankfort Nachmias and Nachmias (1997)’s definition of purposive samples which is the judgment of samples where researchers select participants subjectively. In doing this, he gave precedence to those people from whom more congruent and reliable information was expected. In order to achieve a desired level of accuracy, to establish the magnitude of error due to sampling and determine the level of confidence of the informants, purposive sampling was also used. It also ensured adequate representation of the various sub-parishes in Makukuulu Parish. Probability sampling was used as a middle ground between the two: to get information from the people outside the stated population sampling frame and within the population. The researcher used the sample size which is 55 respondents. The following category of people is dimmed necessary; the religious leaders, responsible parents, civil leaders, the youths, opinion leaders and small Christian communities.
3.5 Research Instruments
Pertaining to the available time frame, the nature of the target group, the nature of the study and putting into consideration the informants, the researcher opted for questionnaire, interviews and direct observation methods to obtain the data.
3.5.1 Questionnaire
Questionnaires with open-ended and closed ended questions were employed to collect data from sampled size in Makukuulu Parish. By open-ended, the respondents gave freedom to state their opinions as they wish while by closed-ended questions, the respondents were limited to choose from the alternatives given.
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3.5.2 Interviews
The researcher carried out interviews with willing respondents to obtain the needed primary data for this study. He employed both the structured and unstructured questions on the interview guide. Some guiding questions were drawn on an interview guide and these were translated into the local language by the researcher to suit the sample who does not know English. The researcher opted for this tool because it was deemed favourable to all categories of people that is; illiterate, literate.
3.5.3 Direct Observation
Due to the fact that the researcher was neither able to interview everybody nor consult all documents about the topic, direct observation was employed as well. Since the researcher is a resident of Makukuulu Parish, he has acquired a considerable and necessary knowledge about the family institution in general and in particular the Christian family; its strengths and weaknesses in the Church and the society and its indispensable role in the mission of evangelization. The direct observation went on co-currently with the interview even without the notice of the respondents.
3.6 Study Procedure
After the identification of the research problem, the researcher drafted the research topic. After approving this topic, he formulated the aims and objectives, a questionnaire and an interview guide that were submitted to the supervisor for corrections and approval. The questionnaire and interview guide were tested among respondents. This was meant to establish validity and reliability, based on the responses, the questionnaire and interview guide were therefore modified to ensure appropriate responses.
3.7 Data Analysis and Interpretation
Data can never be analysed and interpreted unless it is first well collected and stored. The questionnaires were taken precedence in the process of data collection in this study. A database was created and edited. The analysis was thematic or relating to themes. The researcher employed Kombo & Tromp (2006, 119)’s process; where by, collected data was
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perused through and information relevant to the research objectives identified was coded, classified, placed under major themes, then a summary report identifying major themes and the association between them developed and later this data was aptly presented. The methods of interpretation were both qualitative and quantitative. The interpretation was done concurrently with analysis. An explanation of the research findings was drawn in Chapter five and recommendations in chapter six.
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CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents and analyses the findings from the field by the instruments described in chapter three. Data is analysed in response to the objectives of the study namely: to examine the situation of the family today, to explore the functions of the Christian family today, to find out the current challenges facing the family, to find out the ways of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time. But all these aim at the realization of the general objective that is; to establish the importance of consolidating the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish.
4.2 Objective One: The Current Situation of the Family in Makukuulu Parish
4.2.1 Table I: (a). According to you, is it true that the family in Makukuulu Parish is much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago?
Options Frequency (f) Percentage (%) a Yes 55 100% b No 00 00% Total 55 100%
Source: Field Study, 2018
This was the most interesting question of the questionnaire because according to the research findings, all the 55 respondents agreed that the family today appears much different from what it was 50 years ago. This means that all the 100% respondents are aware of the change in family setup that is; from the kind of family structure where every member of the family was encouraged and strengthened to know, care for, and share with one another, worship together and seek to centre his/her life, relationship and activities on the growth of Christian and human values, to the modern type of family with single person households, irresponsible parenthood, busyness and absent of the father figure, domestic violence, undisciplined children to mention but a few.
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4.2.2 Table II: (b) Indicators that the Current Situation of the Family in Makukuulu Parish is much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago?
Options Frequency (f) Percentage (%) a Busyness of the parents 20 36.4% b Undisciplined young people 11 20.0% c Irresponsible parenthood 09 16.4% d Single person households 05 9.1% e Trial marriages and co-habiting relationships 05 9.1% f Domestic violence 03 5.5% g Divorce and separation 02 3.6% Total 55 100%
Source: Field Study, 2018
From the table above, the major Indicator that the current situation of the family in Makukuulu Parish is much different from the way it used to be 50 years ago is busyness of the parents marked by 36.4% of the respondents who attested to this. Equally serious are the other indicators, that is, undisciplined young people marked by 20%, irresponsible parenthood marked by 16.4%, single person households marked by 9.1%, trial marriages and co-habiting relationships also marked by 9.1%, domestic violence pointed out by 5.5%, divorce and separation pointed out by 3.6% of the respondents. All this creates the awareness among the parents, Church and the state leaders that the family has changed, is changing and will change. Thus, it is incumbent to the Church and the society to make sure that although the world is changing, the family remains the vital cell for the foundation of the Church and human society. Therefore, they have to support the family and guard it against all the current social, moral and political evils at its disposal.
In particular, Ssemata Henry (43) a teacher and at the same time a catechist concretized the issue of the change in the family setup when he said that the traditional family setup is vanishing at a very rapid speed: responsible parenthood which used to make a family the first school of human and Christian values is decreasing, while single person households, irresponsible parenthood, domestic violence, undisciplined young generation, trial marriages
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and divorce are increasing. Ssemata further stated that the ideal preference to matrimony or other forms of formal and legal marriages are being replaced by the so-called modern types of relationships such as premarital and cohabitation.
In a very special way, Kazibwe Alex (31) business man also forwarded his views saying that; there is a high rate of family disintegration and fragmentation today caused by the factors within and outside the family such as divorce, domestic violence, absenteeism of parents, preoccupation with duties other than responsible upbringing of children, inadequate time to live together as a family and undisciplined young generation. This situation of living independent life in families today has granted a lot of independence with no guidelines and moral standards in the Church and society.
4.3 Objective Two: Challenges Facing the Family Institution Today
Table III: Major Challenges Facing the Family Today
Challenges Facing the Family Today Frequency (f) Percentage (%) a The Change in the social order 30 54.5% b Moral decay and irresponsibility 10 18.2% c Domestic violence 07 12.7% d Divorce and separation 05 9.1% e Absenteeism of heads of families 03 5.5% Total 55 100%
Source: Field Study, 2018
From the table above, 54.5 % of the respondents believe that the family as a social institution has directly or indirectly got affected due to the rapid social changes of the modern era. Technology which is considered as the basic factor of social change has made rapid changes in the family structure today. The nuclear family has replaced the extended family system. Schools and other agencies have taken the basic functions of the family. In other words, teachers in schools have taken the roles of the parents. Busyness among the parents has weakened the basic fabric of relationships. Parents rush to work and as a consequence, leaving aside the noble role of bringing up children. Kintu George (34) on this point noted 28
that because of the change in the social order, domestic violence, divorce, faithless and undisciplined young generation, and cohabiting relationships, have become more common and more accepted hence, weakening the family institution.
About the challenge of moral decay and irresponsibility, 10(18.2%) of the total number of respondents say that the teenagers is a group of people who portray immoral behaviours in the society and the parents because of their irresponsible parenting are the one supposed to be blamed in this regard. Parents failed to play their role of disciplining their children through words and deeds but instead give them bad examples when they fight and don’t respect each other in the family. Jjumba Henry (32) peasant, in particular said that, Workaholic parents who fail to discipline their children as well as parents who give less emotional attention to the children are the leading cause of moral decay and all the cases of irresponsibility in the society. Parents do not give enough time to their children due to the busy lifestyles. As a consequence such children opt to spend most of their time with their peers rather than their families, and if they are exposed to a wrong group of friends, they will be influenced. Mpanga Joachim (27) also noted on this point that, the increase in moral decay nowadays is due to the failure of the parents to shape their children’s behaviour. This is because the first model children should have are their parents. However many of the parents are botched up to be one as they do not even have time to share with the children. Consequently, the children will feel abandoned and pushed aside.
Concerning the challenge of domestic violence, 7(12.7%) of the respondents noted that all the functions of a family in the Church and society are put at risk in the sad situation of domestic violence in the family and to a large degree the risk factors are interrelated.
On the point of the family being the basic ecclesial community, Jjumba Henry (32) peasant confirmed that; pervasiveness of domestic violence today hugely distorts the capacity of the family to function positively as a vital cell for formation of the ecclesial community. When there is domestic violence, there are issues of power and control which automatically kill the spirit of the community. When family violence is so pervasive the question arises as to how well the family unit can function. In addition to the above point, Tulyamuhebwa Christopher (43) the police CID of Bigasa Sub-county in Makukuulu Parish said that almost 16% of the children under the age of 18 have witnessed parental violence and on this case he paused a 29
serious question that; which kind of citizens will those children be when they live in violent families? The answer of course is they will carry the behaviours of their parents to the next generation and as a consequence is the future violent country and the evangelization will be difficult.
About divorce and separation, the research findings indicate that 9.1% of the respondents assented that part of the adult population in Makukuulu Parish is single, widowed, separated or divorced. Makukuulu Parish has a number of single fathers and mothers that are bringing up children due to divorce, death and separation. Nanyanzi Annet (40) a women counsellor of Bigasa Sub-County said that divorce and separation are largely caused by the struggle to balance work and family demands.
Lastly 3 out of 55 respondents also forwarded absenteeism of heads of families as one of the challenges to the family institution today. Children in fatherless or motherless homes are more likely to drop out of schools, suffer from poverty, commit delinquent acts and engage in alcohol and drugs. In a family where the absenteeism of parents is common, children are mentored by teachers, housemaids and the electronic world (Surrogate parents). Kafuuma John (30) to concretize this point said, some of the husbands and wives in Makukuulu Parish are night partners and weekend partners due to busyness or work related issues leading to lack of time for the family and as the consequence is the exclusion of the essential qualities of the marriage such as companionship, procreation, upbringing and education of children. Kafuuma further stated that absenteeism of parents in the family and lack of discipline among the children go hand in hand and automatically hinders the Church’s noble duty of evangelization.
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4.4 Objective Three: Functions of a Christian Family
4.4.1 Table IV: (a) Functions of a Christian Family to the Church
Functions of a Christian Family to the Church Frequency (f) Percentage (%) a A Christian family serves as the domestic Church 30 54.5% b A Christian family cultivates Christian and human 15 27.3% values among members of the Church c A Christian family serves as the first catechetical 10 18.2% school of the Church Total 55 100%
Source: Field Study, 2018
Asked about the various functions of a Christian family to the Church, the respondents had this to say; 30(54.5%) respondents out of 55 noted that a Christian family serves as the domestic Church. In this way, the respondents considered a Christian family as an indispensable cell for the foundation of the Church. On this point; Luyima Joseph (40) had this to say, evangelization first takes place in the family where parents by word and deed are the first heralds of faith to their children. Luyima further stated that a Christian family is the small version of the universal Church and if the Church’s mission is to evangelize the whole world, the family must be the first target so that it becomes the tool of evangelization in the modern world.
Another group of respondents 15(27.3%) attested that a Christian family cultivates Christian and human values among the members of the Church. This is in line with 10(18.2%) who held that a Christian family serves as the first catechetical school. This is so because the Christian family is the first school of Christian teaching, virtues, values and morals as the parents are the principal teachers and catechists. Kamoga Julius (60) concretized this information by saying that parents are indispensable in sharing the faith with their children. When parents practice and live the Christian faith, children receive a sure foundation of belief and faith in God. As parents in the Christian family learn and live their faith, children grow in confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Church. Namulema Eve (38) said that when
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Christian life is witnessed among the members of the Christian family, children at their tender age grow in faith, love and virtues and thus, making the Christian family a first school for the development of Christian and human values and the core place where young people receive an authentic catechesis.
4.4.2 Table V: (a) Functions of a Christian Family to the Society
Functions of a Christian Family to the Society Frequency (f) Percentage (%) a A Christian family serves as the basic building 30 54.5% block of the society b A Christian family serves as the primary educator 10 18.2% of the society c A Christian family perpetuates the society 10 18.2% d A Christian family radiates socialization and 05 9.1% community living in the society Total 55 100%
Source: Field Study, 2018
For the finding out about the functions of a Christian family to the society, the researcher engaged 55 respondents and the following are the research findings.
Out of 55 respondents, the research findings indicate that; 30(54.5%) respondents identified a Christian family as the basic building block of the society. Every society is structured by the same Pattern. For instance a man and a woman marry and form a family. This process is repeated multiple times making multiple families which form villages, regions and countries. Luyima Joseph (40) in particular asserted that a Christian family has a crucial role of being a solid rock of love in three different aspects; love for children, love between husband and wife and love of promoting moral values in the society. Therefore though very small and seemingly most fragile of all institutions, a Christian family proves to be the vital cell for the foundation of the society. This is almost in line with 10(18.2%) of the respondents who held that a Christian family serves as the primary educator of the society. This is so because if one wants to build a strong society endowed with the Christian and human values a Christian
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family is indispensable. In other words, whatever the society wants to implement and teach it is the family to do it first.
In response to the functions of a Christian family to the society, 10(18.2%) respondents also forwarded their view asserting that a Christian family is much needed to perpetuate the society. It does this in two different forms. That is; biologically through procreation and socially through socialisation. In fact the family is indispensable for the continuation of the society. This correlates with 5(9.1%) of the respondents who said that a Christian family is vital in cultivating the spirit of socialization and brotherhood in the members of the society. Therefore, the family’s social networks are beneficial to the society especially in times of death and illnesses, protection in case of adversity, political and economic support as well as strengthen our belief and value systems.
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4.5 Objective Four: Ways of Consolidating the Christian Family as the essential agent of Evangelization in the Modern Era.
Ways of Consolidating the Christian Family as Frequency (f) Percentage (%) the essential agent of Evangelization in the Modern Era. a In her pastoral ministry to families, the Church 18 32.7% should consider protecting the family from the false understandings about the family institution especially those that are coming from cultural realm. E.g. the idea of rigid male domination in the society b In her pastoral programs, the Church must rearrange 11 20% her priorities to focus more attention on family related issues such as divorce, separation, domestic violence, single person households and irresponsible parenthood. c The Church should also consider offering enough 07 12.7% time of preparation for those beginning their journey towards marriage and family life. d The family itself should consider helping the poor, 05 9.1% divorced and the widowed. e The importance of the family for life and well-being 04 7.3% of society entails a particular responsibility for society and the political community to support and strengthen marriage and family. Total 55 100%
Source: Field Study, 2018
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Concerning ways of consolidating a Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in the modern time, the following are the research findings;
Out of 55 respondents the research findings identified that 18(32.7%) respondents strongly agreed with the view that the Church in her preaching and pastoral ministry to families should correct the idea of rigid male domination and present a male biblical understanding of gender relationship that stresses the equal value of men and women (Gen 1:27). This will greatly reduce on the challenges of domestic violence, abuses, divorce and separation that are weakening the family institution today. They further stressed that the problem of extra marital affairs which in fact on a large extent, is being practiced by husbands who claim that a man can’t be with only one woman. Therefore most of the sampled respondents in this regard said that the Church should re-sensitize the society about the reason why God instituted marriage and family life. Luyima Joseph (40) in particular said; the society has to know that God created marriage and family life for the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. In fact if the society is well acquainted with this teaching, we shall have consolidated the family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time.
In response to the findings on how to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern world, 11(20%) respondents forwarded their views saying that; the Church should consider rearranging her pastoral programs to focus more attention to the family related issues like divorce, separation, single person households, domestic violence and extra-marital affairs. This can be done through preaching to families, catechesis adapted to minors, youth and adult such that all the Christian faithful are instructed about the essential qualities of marriage and family life. In other words the Church in her teaching and pastoral activities must stress the unity and indissolubility of marriage and family life. This will help those aspiring to enter into marriage and those who are already in marriage to take marriage and family life as a contract and covenant.
Furthermore, when the researcher asked about the ways for consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern world, 7(12.7%) respondents had this to say, enough preparation for those to enter into marriage and family life is of a paramount importance in their duty as parents and teachers of young generation. Therefore according to this category of respondents, the Church has to consider offering enough time of preparation 35
for those beginning their journey towards marriage and family life such that they become acquainted with the essential qualities of marriage. This will help to reduce on the issues of divorce and separation today. The researcher also noted from his respondents that those aspiring to enter into marriage life especially in Makukuulu Parish are offered little time. Namuleme Eve (38) in particular asserted that the noble duty of giving adequate preparation to those entering into family life is usually left to the catechists who even know little about the marriage vocation. Thus, she suggested that the Church should consider offering enough time of preparation for those beginning their journey towards marriage and family life.
Faced with the question on how to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern world, out of 55 respondents, 5(9.1%) respondents forwarded their view asserting that the family itself should consider helping the poor, divorced and the widowed. For them the practice of helping and supporting the widowed, divorced and orphans is the vivid sign of having faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Another group of respondents 4(7.3%) discussed that in order to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization today we need the help and guidance of the appropriate social measures. For instance where families cannot fulfill their responsibilities, other members of the society have a duty of helping and of supporting them. According to the respondents the support of the society entails the role of the political community and other social organization such as human rights. The political community has the duty to honor the family, to assist it, and to ensure especially the freedom to establish a family, have children, and bring them up in keeping with the family’s own moral and religious conviction.
4.6 Conclusion
In this chapter, the researcher has presented the research findings from the field. Particularly, the researcher presented the views of the respondents as regards their knowledge on the current situation of the family, challenges facing the family institution today, functions of the family, and ways of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern era. This now leads us to the next chapter where we shall have the discussion of findings.
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CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
In this chapter the researcher has presented a discussion of the study findings, following the general objective and specific objectives on which data collection was based and research findings were analysed and discussed.
The discussions were done in reference to the findings brought out in literature review as well as field work findings presented in chapter four. Comparisons and contrasts are made, the limitations are given and further research that remains to be done is pointed out.
5.2 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
5.2.1 The Situation of the Family Today
The first objective of this study was to explore and examine the current situation of the family. As already indicated in chapter two, the definition of a family today and a family in past is far from similar. This indicates that the family has changed dramatically in many more ways. In chapter four, the researcher sought to know from is respondents whether they also observe the rapid changes that are surrounding the family institution today. Interestingly all the 100% of the respondents showed that they notice the changing current situation of the family from what is ideal to the abnormal.
Concerning the indicators of the dramatic changes in family setup today, 36.4% respondents pointed out busyness and absenteeism of parents at home as the major indicator of the rapid changes in the family structure. Equally serious are the other indicators, that is, immoral and undisciplined children marked by 20%, irresponsible parenthood marked by 16.4%, single person households marked by 9.1%, trial marriages and co-habiting relationships also marked by 9.1%, domestic violence pointed out by 5.5%, divorce and separation pointed out by 3.6% of the respondents.
Peschke (1990, 543) underlines the basic characteristics of a traditional family 50 years ago as to care for, and share with one another and worship together. These major traditions have been forgotten as the years gone by and caused more separation among the family members. 37
The traditional family setup is vanishing at a very rapid speed: responsible parenthood which used to make a family the first school of human and Christian values is decreasing, while single person households, irresponsible parenthood, domestic violence, undisciplined young generation, trial marriages and divorce are increasing.
5.2.2 Challenges Facing the Family Institution Today
Concerning the different kinds of challenges that are threatening the family institution today, the research findings highlighted three major kinds of family challenges namely; social, moral and economic challenges. But what is most important to note here is that most of the current forms of family challenges are accelerated by the social problems. That is to say, social problems have done a great harm to the family institution in this modern era. Chapter four indicated for instance that 54.5% of the respondents attested to this reality when they agreed that family as a social institution has directly or indirectly got affected due to the rapid changes in the social order. They further pointed out that; because of the social problems, domestic violence and abuse, divorce and separation, single person households have become accepted.
This is in agreement with what was stressed in chapter two that, the current family problems are as the result of changes in the social order, the traditional structure of the local communities, tribe, villages, various groups and social relations are subject to ever sweeping social challenges (GS. 1965, No.6). In the same way (GS. 1965, No.7) asserts that social challenges in families automatically call accepted human and Christian values into question. This is true for all young children who have grown into indiscipline cases, impatient at times and indeed too rebellious and immoral.
Another yet threatening kind of family challenge was about immoralities. Much as 54.5% agreed that social challenges are the leading factors to family disintegration and fragmentation, the research findings indicated for insistence that moral challenges like the impact of modernization and westernization, have caused sudden detachment of members of the family from the values to which they are mysteriously bound, and thrust into situations where corporate existence has no meaning but rather to produce dehumanized individuals in
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the society. In fact due to moral challenges, members of the family today are severed cut off, pulled out and separated from morality, customs and traditional solidarity.
5.2.3 Functions of a Christian Family
(a). To the Church
In response to the functions of the family to the Church, respondents clearly described the family as the domestic Church and as the first school of faith and Christian life to all members of the Church. For instance 54.5% of the respondents attested to this fact asserting that the family is the place where the mission of evangelization begins to the universal Church. In fact the realization of the mission of the Church strongly depends on the ministry of the family. Also 27.3% of the total number of the respondents noted another value of the family saying; the family develops Christian and human values in the Church. This idea rhymes with 18.2% of the respondents who marked the family as the fist catechetical school. Through the witness of Christian life in the family, children grow in virtue, human values and faith thus, making the family the first community to carry out catechetical and Christian educational activities.
In the same way, the Second Vatican Council attested to this reality saying that the family is the domestic Church (ecclesia domestica) through which parents by words and examples are the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children (LG. No. 11). Also the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the family as the first school of Christian life and a school of Church’s enrichment, endurance, and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous, forgiveness and above all Divine worship in prayer and offering of one’s life (CCC, No. 1656-1657). Still on the scholastic point of view, the researcher found out that it is not only Pope John Paul II who exhorted the family as a principle and an indispensable agent in the economy of proclamation of Good News (Familiaris Consortio, 1981, Pg. 1), but also Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation he stressed that family, in virtue of the Sacrament of matrimony, it becomes the first school of human virtues where the members of the Church learn to live their Christian lives, love, faith and above all the wise use of freedom (Amoris Laetitia No. 274). In short, both the scholars and the respondents presented the family as the domestic
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Church and the first school of human virtues, moral values, love and faith of every member of the Church.
(b) To the Society
When it came to the role of the family to the society, the respondents praised and exhorted the importance and centrality of the family in the society. This is vividly evidenced by the research findings in chapter four when 54.5% of the total number of respondents strongly affirms that the family is the basic unit and a building block of the society with the explanation that all over the world, every society is structured by the following Patten: a man and a woman marry and form a family. This process is repeated multiple times making multiple families which form villages, regions and countries. Other respondents (18.2%) added that the family is not only the bedrock of the society but also the primary educator of the society. They further explained that, the climate of affection that unites the family is also where the society learns about truth and goodness. The family unit is the community of persons where the society learns moral values, love, faith and the joy of work. Therefore, the family is very essential in ensuring the growth of the society’s commitments, and promoting both social responsibility and solidarity.
Then, from what was presented by the respondents in chapter four, the researcher realised that the arguments given are in line with what was highlighted in chapter two that the family is the first community of human persons and the first cell and most basic expression of the social nature of man. The family is the community in which the society learns moral values, begins to honour God and make good use of freedom for the initialization of a person into the society (CCC, No. 2207). Furthermore, Pope John Paul II presented the family as the future of the society that in the family, every person is introduced into the society and it is through the family that children learn their first and most important lessons of practical wisdom to which the virtues are connected (Familiaris Consortio, 1981, Pg. 15). Also the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church affirms the role of the family in fostering moral values, spiritual heritage and cultural legacy in the society (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, No. 213).
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Therefore, the researcher discovered from his respondents and the scholars that the family is the first and a fundamental structure of the society, in which man receives his first formative ideas about truth and goodness, love and faith, and learns what it means to love and to be loved, and what actually means to be a person.
5.2.4 Ways of Consolidating the Christian Family as the essential agent of Evangelization in the Modern Era
Concerning the different ways of consolidating the Christian family in the modern time as they are highlighted by Peschke (1990) and (Familiaris Consortio of Pope John Paul II (1981), they are well attested to by the respondents and what is important to note here is that most people in Makukuulu Parish draw values in these ways. Chapter four indicated for instance that 32.7% of the total number of respondents strongly agrees that the Church should consider protecting the family from the false understandings about the family institution especially those that are coming from cultural realm. This is in agreement with what was stressed in chapter two that; according to Mwubiko (2001, 179), the Church must present a male biblical understanding of gender relationship that stresses the equal value of men and women in order to reduce on issues that arising from male domination cases in the community.
Also 12.7% of the total number of respondents identifies the necessity of the Church to offer enough time of preparation for those beginning their journey towards marriage and family life such that they become acquainted with the essential properties of marriage. This is in consonance with the mind of the code of canon law that pastors of souls are obliged to offer personal assistance especially to those who are to enter marriage and disposes the spouses to the holiness and duties of their new state, and to those who are married, so that faithfully preserving and protecting the conjugal covenant, they daily come to lead holier and fuller lives in their family (Can. 1063).
Never the less, also other group of respondents 9.1% out of 55 respondents identified that; helping the poor, divorced and the widowed in the community is of a paramount significance in consolidating the Christian family in the modern time.
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According to the researcher, this is in line with Pope John Paul II’s view as already presented in chapter two under the theme; strategies for consolidating the Christian family today; that through the sacrament of matrimony, families devout themselves to manifold social service activities, especially in favour of the poor and the disadvantaged. Consequently, Christian families are called to practice hospitality by welcoming every person who comes in their homes such that they can share in Christ’s example by welcoming a brother or a sister in need (Familiaris Consortio, 1981, No. 46).
5.3 Limitation of the findings
This study was carried out in Makukuulu Parish. As such its findings and conclusions are applicable basically to the people of Makukuulu Parish. Therefore the study findings can be best appropriately applied to Makukuulu Parish. However, care must be taken when applied to other areas because the factors and situations of life differ depending on different environments. With the fact of little education of most of the people in this area, the researcher at times found it difficult to obtain written data from these respondents.
Secondly, only 55 respondents from the field of study responded positively to the study. This number is less than 100 which had earlier been estimated by the researcher in the sample size, the researcher therefore fears that this sample group may not be representative enough to make firm conclusions for the whole of parish at large.
Lastly there was also uneasiness in obtaining back some questionnaires since some respondents, due to busy schedules, did not turn up.
5.4 Implication of findings
The most outstanding breakthrough made by this study is that the efforts to understand the family toady that is; its situation, functions and challenges determine the ways through which we can employ to consolidate the Christian family in modern era. Preaching, catechesis, and the role of civil organs toward the family may be necessary but without first understanding it today we can do nothing. This means that other strategies for consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization will never be effective if family today is not well understood. Therefore, as Pope Francis highlights in his apostolic exhortation: Amoris 42
laetitia, (2016, No.2), we need to examine the situation of families in today’s world for the broader vision and renewed awareness of the importance of marriage so as to consolidate the Christian family in the Morden world.
On the bottom line therefore, much as there are various strategies for consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization, the research findings identified some concrete ways through which the Christian family can be consolidated in the modern world. Therefore, the above implications call for an immediate attention of all the Christian families, the Church and society to fulfil their duties and responsibilities as the first teachers of faith to their children, the first evangelizers of the Gospel and the first school of Christian teaching, virtues and moral values to the world.
5.5 Conclusion
In this chapter, the researcher presented discussions of major findings especially from the respondents; he also gave the limitations and implications of the findings.
This then leads us to the next chapter where the researcher will present conclusions and recommendations.
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CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 CONCLUSIONS
First and foremost, the definition of a family today and a family in past is far from similar Peschke (1990, 543). The family has changed dramatically in the modern era. Families had rules that were stricter and families were closer in the sense of a relationship. But today, members of the family just do not seem to spend time with each other. For instance the mother and father both spend most of their time at work and tend to give little time to children after school and the consequence is causing more independence among each member of the family.
Stephanie Coontz (2005) on the situation of the family today emphasizes the issue of rapid changes of the family structures. The research reveals that marriage issues we see today are actually due to the situational changes of the family setups, that is to say, from the traditional family structures where members were living in the same household and support each other in very many ways to the type of family where every member has to live as distinct individual with no collective responsibility to each other. Everyone is concerned about his/her own business. Because of this situation, the family institution has not escaped issues like divorce, separations, domestic violence, abuses, moral decay to mention but a few (Coontz 2005, 253).
Secondary, the family is the place where the mission of the Church begins. This is basically due to the fact that it is the first community called to carry out catechetical and Christian educational activities in the Church in regards to the children. Furthermore, it is concluded that through the witness of Christian life among the members of the family, children of the family grow in virtues, moral values, love and faith thus, making the family a Church of the home and a core place where children and other members of the family receive an authentic catechesis and full Christian education.
The researcher also concludes from the findings that the family is the basic unit and a building block of the society. That is to say; a man and a woman marry and form a family. This process is repeated multiple times making multiple families which form villages, regions and countries. Furthermore, the family is not only the bedrock of the society but also the 44
primary educator of the society. This is due to the fact that the family unit is the community of persons where the society learns moral values, love, faith and the joy of work. Therefore, the family is very essential in ensuring the growth of the society’s commitments, and promoting both social responsibility and solidarity.
With the current waves of divorce, materialism, domestic violence, secularism, rationalism, irresponsible parenthood and consumerism as highlighted by the research findings, the research also identifies the ways through which we can consolidate the Christian family today amidst these waves. For instance; the Church should consider protecting the family from the false understandings about the family institution and present marriage and family life as a Christian vocation. The couple’s relationship is more than simply their choice to enter a union which is a social and legal institution. The research also concludes that the Church has to offer enough time of preparation for those beginning their journey towards marriage such that they become familiar with the essential qualities of marriage. Lastly, the research discovers the duty of the political community in assisting and ensuring the freedom of the family such that the family brings up the children with Christian and human values.
The research finally concludes that the consolidated Christian family is the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time because it is the first school of the social, human and Christian virtues that the Church and society need. It is particularly in the consolidated Christian family as the agent of evangelization today, enriched by the grace and office of the sacrament of matrimony, that children should be taught from their early years to have knowledge of God according to the faith received in Baptism, to worship Him, and to love their neighbour. Here, too, they find their first experience of a wholesome human society and of the Church. It is also through the consolidated Christian family as the agent of evangelization that children are gradually led to a companionship with their fellowmen and with the people of God. Let parents, then, recognize the inestimable importance a truly Christian family has for the life and progress of God's own people.
6.2 Recommendations
Since the family is a divine institution ordered for the good of spouses and for procreation and education of children, the world should know that the Christian family is the domestic
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Church; the fundamental community of life and love; the first school of love and life; and the reflection of the home of Nazareth. The Christian family environment is the best to bring up children. When Christ instituted the Sacrament of marriage, He established a Christian family as a basic channel of His life and love to all people who are born in it (Ayward, 1997, 213). It is in the Christian family that we are first aware of God’s love for each one of us. As a domestic Church all what the Church teaches must be reflected in the Christian family.
The Christian family life is the most fundamental human community, the cell of any society with a greater impact on the Church than any other group. For this reason Christian couples have an irreplaceable mission in today’s world. The generous love and fidelity of husband and wife offer stability and hope to a world torn by hatred and division. By their life-long perseverance in living and giving love, they show the unbreakable and sacred character of the sacramental marriage bond.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the home is a place where the Gospel is received and lived and the place from which the Church radiates (CIC, 1983, No.226). Thus, the family offers daily witness even without words to the truth and grace of the word of God.
Therefore the Church should consider protecting the family from the misconceptions about the family institution, and also to rearrange her priorities to focus more attention on family related issues like divorce, separation, domestic violence, abuse, irresponsible parenthood among others.
The importance of the family for life and well-being of society entails a particular responsibility for society to support and strengthen marriage and family, for this reason the political community has also a duty to honour the family, to assist it, and to ensure especially the freedom to establish a family, have children, and bring them up in keeping with the family’s own moral and religious conviction.
Still, according to the research findings which were presented in chapter four, Christian families should not stop at procreating and sending children at schools, but they are recommended to go on to fulfil their duties and responsibilities as Christian parents by giving children Christian education and bringing them up in a loving environment. Christian families foster a suitable environment where an individual from childhood grows well, shapes 46
his/her character and forms a personality that fits the society and the Church. The Church teaches that the family must serve as the first school of faith, moral values, virtues and love to children. A family is the first community of persons where moral values, love, faith, spiritual and cultural heritage of the society and the Church are passed on to children. Therefore, Christian families are recommended to fulfil their duties as Christian parents to give example to their children by words and deeds so as to help them to grow in a Christian and human values.
In addition to the above, Christian families are recommended by the researcher to exhibit qualities of responsibility and concern towards the mission and duty of the Church. That is to say; they should know that the mandate to preach and teach the nations is laid upon all the baptized Christians. Jesus sent his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations and proclaim the Kingdom of God to all peoples. Therefore, all Christians are recommended to preach and teach the nation for the realization of the mission of the Church.
Christian families are also recommended to live a life that attracts people to God or convert people to Christianity. Therefore, they have to know that for faith to remain on earth it must be driven not only by Bible-driven Churches but also through mult-generational ministry of the Christian family.
Finally I recommend maximum co-operation between Government and Church in the cause of consolidating the Christian family in the modern era. After all, it helps to bring up morally upright people who are not only for the Church but citizens of the nation. State leaders, teachers, the Church as foundation body, parents and children also should cooperate to see to it that the family is consolidated as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern world. The priests and other Church leaders should be careful when they are introducing young people gradually to the mystery of salvation, to give instruction on the mass. Instruction about the Eucharist, while being suited to the age and abilities of them, should aim to convey the meaning of the Mass through the principalities and prayers. It should also explain the place of the mass in participation in the life of the Church. They should also have to go further and teach human and Christian values in schools and at homes. All this should be borne in mind especially when children are being prepared for the first communion so that the first communion may be seen as the full incorporation in the Body of Christ. 47
The state also has to put in policies and programs that enforce parents in the family to cultivate human and Christian values among the children. State leaders should cooperate with the parents to see to it that the nation gets morally upright children for the good of society in general. Civil authorities and societies which, bearing in mind the pluralism of contemporary society and respecting religious freedom, assist families so that the education of their children according to the Gospel values can be imparted in all children at their tender age.
6.3 Suggested Areas for Further Research
I cannot claim to have exhausted the issue of understanding the family today, and the ways of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization. Therefore further study on the investigation into the root causes of inconstancy in families, the root causes the challenges that are facing families today and the possible means of alleviating the status quo.
6.4 GENERAL CONCLUSION
We note from the title of the work that it aimed at examining the situation of the family in order to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time. In others words when the situation of the family today is well examined, its challenges, functions, strengths and weaknesses would be very vivid to each and everyone and thus, the consolidating it as the essential agent of evangelization would be possible.
The general objective was to establish the importance of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in modern era. The study delved into examining the situation of the family today and identifying the dramatic changes of the family structure and their negative influence on the family institution.
To consolidate Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization today, more than ever, attention has to be offered for those beginning their journey towards marriage and family life such that they become aware of the essential qualities of marriage and family life. This will help to reduce on the issues of divorce and separation, domestic violence, abuse and irresponsible parenthood among others. In order to consolidate the Christian family amidst these current family challenges, the research also discovered that political community has also a duty to honour the family, to assist it, and to protect it amidst the current challenges. 48
APPENDIX I: REFERENCES
Ayward. S. (1997). The Theology of the Church as a Family of God. Nairobi: Kolbe Press. Bernard, lyons. (1969). Programs for Parish Councils: An action Manual. USA: Doubleday and Company, Inc. Muhindo, V. (October 2010). The Pastoral Challenges of Urbanization in Uganda-Response of the Church. New York: Paulist Press. Buregyeya, D. (2013, September 13). Girl who killed Father for raping her explains why she did it. The New Vision, p. 5. Baka, P. (Unpublished). Family and Education: The Church as the Family of God. Bereiter, Carl. (2008). Education and mind in the knowledge age. New York: Orbis book. Benedict XVI. (2011). Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Africae Munus Becker, B. S. and Landes, E. M. “An Economic Analysis of Marital Instability” Journal of Political Economy, (1977), 1141 Catechism of the Catholic Church (1995). Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. Chaitin, Gregory. (2006). The limits of Reason. New York: Orbis book Code of canon law. (2013). Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. Corrie, J. (2007). Dictionary of Theology: Evangelical Foundations. Nottingham: Inter- varsity. Clarkson, Bright. (2010). Business and Economics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Cootz, Stephanie. (2005). Marriage, A History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage. New York: Viking Press. Donald, S Struhlmuellerrr. (1983). The Biblical Foundation of Mission. New York: Orbis book. Gagno, Edaward. The Church Places her Hope in Christian Family. Losservatore Romano, Eng. Ed., July, 1982). Glick, P C. (1989). A Brief Demographic Profile on Family Relations. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman & Co. Fretheim, Terence E., (1994). The Book of Genesis: The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume I: General Old Testament Articles, Genesis, Exodus, And Leviticus. Nashville: Abingdon Press. Köstenberger A. The Top 10 Issues Facing Marriage and Family Today: An Assessment” http://www.biblicalfoundations.org/the-top-10-issues-facing-marriaGE-and-family-today
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An-assessment. (Downloaded on 10th December, 2017). Flannery, A. (2007). Vatican Council II. (Ed) Mumbai: St. Pauls. Francis. (2016). Apostolic Exhortation: The joy of Love. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. ______(2013). Apostolic Exhortation: The Joy of the Gospel. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. Holy See. (1983). Charter of the Rights of the Family. Vatican: Vatican Polyglot Press, AAS 75. Pope John Paul II. (1979, 16th October). Apostolic Exhortation: Catechesi Tradendae. AAS 71 (1979), 1277 - 1340. ______(1981, 22nd November). Apostolic Exhortation: Familiaris Consortio. AAS 74 (1982), AAS 74 (1982) 17-23. ______(1994). Encyclical Letter: Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful. AAS 31-40 ______(1994). Letter to Families. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. Kenyan Episcopal Conference. (1986). The Catholic Family. Nairobi: Colourprint Ltd. Karl, H. Peschke. (1990). Christian Ethics. West Bangalore: Theological Publication in India Micheal, J. L. (1968). Parents, Family and Religious Vocation. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. Marx, K. (1976). Introduction to a Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Vol. III. New York: Infobase Publishing. Ndiwalana, H. (2013, September 13). I am Saddened by the Immorality in our society. The New Vision, p. 15. Nsubuga, H. (2013, September 16). Abortions Worry Medics. The New Vision, p. 8. Onyango, P. (2003). Families: First School of Christian Life. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. Onwusiko, A. (2001). The Mission: In the Light of Ecclesia in Africa. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa. Paul VI. (1975). Encyclical Letter: On Evangelization in the Modern World. AAS 31 ______(1964). The Church in Modern World. AAS 31-38 Tusingire, F. (2003). The Evangelization of Uganda: Challenges and Strategies. Kisubi: Marianum Publication Company. 50
Edwards, Paul. Ed. (1972). The encyclopedia of philosophy, Vol. 1-4. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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APPENDIX II: RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies, Department of Religious and Peace Studies, School of Liberal and Performing Art, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. P.O Box 7062, Kampala. Dear respondent,
RE: RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
I am Ronald Muyanja, a student of the above named institution writing a dissertation on “Understanding the Family Today: A Strategy for Consolidating the Christian Family as the Essential Agent of Evangelization in Masaka Diocese.” Case-Study Makukuulu Parish
It is a partial fulfilment for the Master’s Degree of Pastoral and Religious Studies of Makerere University Kampala, Uganda but also a means of helping the Christians to appreciate the importance of a Christian family in evangelization. I therefore appeal for your co-operation in answering these questions for this cause. Be assured of the highest degree of confidentiality in treating your information and it will only be used for the purpose of this Study.
Thank you for your co-operation ………………………………………….. RONALD MUYANJA (RESEARCHER)
Name (s)……………………………………… Age……………………………………………. Sex…………………………………………….. Occupation……………………………………. Religion……………………………………….. From 1-5 (Section A) you are requested to tick the answer of your choice.
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From 6-11 (Section B) please use the space provided. 1. According to you, is it true that the family in Makukuulu Parish appears much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago? a. Yes b. No 2. What are the functions of a Christian family to the Church and the society in Makuukulu Parish? (i). To the Church a. Serves as the domestic Church b. Develops Christian and human values in the Church c. Serves as the first catechetical school of the Church d. All the above
(ii). To the Society a. Serves as the basic building block of the society b. Serves as the primary educator of the society c. Perpetuates the society d. Radiates socialization and community living in the society e. All the above
3. What are the current challenges facing the family in Makuukulu Parish? a. The Change in the social order b. Moral decay and irresponsibly c. Domestic violence and abuse
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d. Divorce and separation e. Absenteeism of heads of families f. All the above
4. Strategies for consolidating the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in the modern times? a. In her pastoral ministry, the Church should consider protecting the family from the false understandings about the family institution. b. In her pastoral programs, the Church must rearrange her priorities to focus more attention on family related issues such as divorce, separation, domestic violence, single person households and irresponsible parenthood. c. The Church should also consider offering enough time of preparation for those beginning their journey towards marriage and family. d. The family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take responsibility for the young generation such that they grow in Christian and human values e. The political community has also a duty to honour the family, to assist it, and to ensure that parents bring up Children in the proper manner. f. All the above
SECTION B
5. What are the indicators that the Current Situation of the Family in Makukuulu Parish appears much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago?
………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6. Briefly explain the current situation of the family in Makukuulu Parish. 54
...... 7. What would be the positive results in the Church if the Christian family is consolidated as an essential agent of evangelization in Makuukulu Parish? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8. In which ways the Church and the society can take recourse in their roles to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9. Mention the functions of the Christian family in the Church and society. (a) In the Church ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………. (b) In the society …………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Outline the Challenges facing the family in the modern times ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
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APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW GUIDE
1. According to you, is it true that the family in Makukuulu Parish appears much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago?
2. What are the indicators that the Current Situation of the Family in Makukuulu Parish appears much different from the way it used to be in 50 years ago?
3. Briefly explain the current situation of the family in Makukuulu Parish 4. Give the values of a Christian family to the Church and the society in Makuukulu Parish? 5. What are the current challenges facing the family in Makuukulu Parish? 6. According to you what are the causes of the above Challenges? 7. According to you what can be done by the Church to ensure that the Christian family becomes an essential agent of evangelization?
8. What are the possible strategies to consolidate the Christian family as an essential agent of evangelization in the modern world?
9. What would be the positive results in the Church if the Christian family is consolidated as an essential agent of evangelization in Makuukulu Parish? 10. In which ways and means can the Church and the society take recourse in their roles to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish? 11. Mention the functions of the Christian family in the Church and society. 12. What are the Challenges facing the family in the modern times 13. What are other essential agents of evangelization in Makuukulu Parish?
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APPENDIX IV: LIST OF RESPONDENTS
N0 NAME SEX OCCUPATION 1 Birungi Maria Female Religious Sister 2 Jjumba Henry Male Peasant 3 Kafuuma John Male Student 4 Kalebu Vianney Male Retired Teacher 5 Kayanda Amon Male Student 6 Kayemba Charles Male Teacher 7 Kamoga Julius Male Civil Servant 8 Kawuki Brian Male Politician 9 Kazibwe Alex Male Business Man 10 Kibirige Benedict Male Civil Servant 11 Kintu George Male Politician 12 Kivumbi Tony Male Teacher 13 Luyima Joseph Male Teacher 14 Matovu Andrew Male Teacher 15 Mpanga Joachim Male Teacher 16 Muzawula Matthias Male Teacher 17 Mwesige Charles Male Civil servant 18 Mugenyi Deo Male Priest 19 Namuleme Eve Female Student 20 Nakito Clare Female Teacher 21 Nakamatte Agnes Female Laboratory Attendant 22 Nanyanzi Annet Female Woman counsellor 23 Nantongo Carlo Female Nurse 24 Nakawuka Catherine Female Secretary 25 Nassali Dorothy Female Secretary 26 Nabayunga Prossy Female Accountant 27 Nassaazi Resty Female School Bursar 28 Nakasi Angela Female Tutor
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29 Nakiranda Doreen Female Student 30 Nanyonjo Mary Female Catechist 31 Nanyanzi Brenda Female Teacher 32 Nankya Kudra Female Student teacher 33 Nanyanzi Ritah Female Farmer 34 Ntambi Raymond Male Shop attendant 35 Nakiwala Josephine Female Student 36 Namubiru Jenifer Female Teacher 37 Namugenyi Christine Female Counsellor 38 Nantume Florence Female Counsellor 39 Ntale Michael Male Head Teacher 40 Ntege Ivan Male Head teacher 41 Ngyiri Mark Male Nurse 42 Ssekatawa Stephen Male Former Head teacher 43 Sseruwu Peter Male Student 44 Ssegona Emmanuel Male CAO 45 Ssemuwemba Deo Male Doctor 46 Ssenkindu Dennis Male Catechist 47 SSekate Ben Male Taxi Driver 48 Ssemata Henry Male Student 49 Tulyamuhebwa Christopher Male Police officer 50 Turyomwosi Edward Male Teacher 51 Tamale Henry Male Farmer 52 Yiga Robert Male Teacher 53 Zzawadi Peter Male Shop attendant 54 Zzalwango Prossy Female Teacher 55 Zziwa Rogers Male Police CID
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