Human Development in Populorum Progressio: Challenging Uganda's Development Claims Peter Debo
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Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Fall 2006 Human Development in Populorum Progressio: Challenging Uganda's Development Claims Peter Debo Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Debo, P. (2006). Human Development in Populorum Progressio: Challenging Uganda's Development Claims (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/467 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN POPULORUM PROGRESSIO: CHALLENGING UGANDA’S DEVELOPMENT CLAIMS A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Department of Theology McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Peter Debo November 16, 2006 NAME OF STUDENT: Peter Debo TITLE OF DISSERTATION: Human Development in Populorum Progressio: Challenging Uganda’s Development Claims DEGREE: Doctor of Philosophy DATE: November 16, 2006 APPROVED: ____________________________________________________________ James P. Hanigan, Ph.D., Dissertation Director Date APPROVED: ____________________________________________________________ James P. Bailey, Ph.D., First Reader Date APPROVED: ____________________________________________________________ William M. Wright IV, Ph.D., Second Reader Date APPROVED: ____________________________________________________________ George S. Worgul, Jr., Ph.D., STD, Theology Department Chair Date APPROVED: ____________________________________________________________ Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., Dean McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Date ii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my deceased parents—Henrico Adroa Jalawere, my father (RIP, May 27, 1991), and Julia Drateru Ajikoa, my mother (RIP, October 3, 2005)—who treasured my life, dignity and rights and nurtured me; to Fr. Lawrence Dema Govule, Ph.D. and Fr. Mario Ajiga, M.A. of the Diocese of Arua, who both died in a tragic motor- accident the day I left Arua for studies in the U.S.A., and to all people and institutions that care for and respect the human person, human life, human dignity and human rights, and render committed service for the promotion of all. iii ABSTRACT This study investigates and questions Uganda’s development claims and the choice between confrontation and mutual respect among the people, using Paul VI’s notion of integral human development in Populorum Progressio and the requisite development principles, virtues and conditions or factors presented therein. In the study I have argued that the development claims of Uganda do not, to a significant degree, meet the standards of human development advocated by Paul VI in Populorum Progressio. The study shows that human dignity and its universality and equality precipitate the significance of the question of integral human development, and consequently necessitate a relevant anthropology. The structure of the work is as follows: First, I espoused the influences behind Paul VI’s vision of human development. These influences shaped his notion of development and the principles he proposed for authentic human development. They facilitate the understanding of his doctrine in Populorum Progressio. Secondly, I highlighted the problems Paul VI was addressing, and thereafter his proposed solutions, and his understanding of the notion and nature of true development as being integral – the development of the entire person and of all people. The principle underlying this vision of development is human dignity. On the basis of the universal character of this underlying principle, I have argued that integral human development ought to promote the human dignity of all people irrespective of age, sex, socio-economic and political status, tribe, nation, race and color. I highlighted and explained other principles and factors necessary for integral human development and related them to the most fundamental principle. Thirdly, I reconstructed an anthropology for integral human development which Paul VI proposed in Populorum Progressio. This aimed to build and reaffirm the cohesive and fundamental principle. I argued and concluded that human dignity is de facto the most fundamental principle that ought to be understood, acknowledged, and underscored. All other principles or factors for human development are important but they revolve around human dignity. Finally, I applied the development principles and factors presented in Populorum Progressio to the mediating structures of pastoral or religious, socio-economic and political life and community development in Uganda. Based on an understanding and respect for human dignity and its relation to other development principles, virtues and conditions I concluded that the application of the principles of integral human development is a failure in modern Uganda, to a significant extent, because the recognition and respect for human dignity is minimal in almost every context or sector of life. Consequently, among other recommendations, I have proposed education about human dignity and moral principles that promote human dignity as necessary, and one of the most crucial challenges to Uganda in this opening decade of the Twenty-First century and later. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I acknowledge my gratitude and thanks to all those to whom I am deeply indebited in various ways. I cannot mention all by names but I sincerely recognize the significance of all their contributions. First, I acknowledge my deepest gratitude to my parents, my late father Henrico Adroa Jalawere and my late mother Julia Drateru Ajikoa, and my family members who worked hard to raise and educate me. I will not forget your support to me since childhood and I cannot reciprocate it adequately. Rt. Rev. Frederick Drandua, S.T.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Arua, I sincerely appreciate and thank you for allowing me to use the opportunity to do graduate studies at Duquesne University, an institution whose lofty resoucefulness I will never forget. I appreciate your continued invaluable support and cooperation that helped me to accomplish this project. I thank the Congregation of the Spiritans, the previous and the current Dean of McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts - Dr. Constance D. Ramirez and Dr. Francesco C. Cesareo - the Theology Department Chairs whose administration and care I went through - Dr. James P. Hanigan, Fr. Sean P. Kealy, CSSp., Professor of Sacred Scriptures, Dr. Michael Slusser and Dr. George S. Worgul, Jr. - and the entire Faculty of the Department of Theology, and Duquesne University Administration at all the different levels, for their contributions which made this achievement possible. This accomplishment would be in vain without your financial, advisory, moral, social, academic and spiritual support. The generous support and contribution of my academic advisors/directors - Dr. James P. Hanigan, Fr. Sean P. Kealy, CSSp., Professor of Scripture, Dr. Aaron Marckler, v Dr. Anne M. Clifford, C.S.J., and Dr. Maureen O’Brien, all shaped my thoughts. I am grateful for the diligent and in-depth input of the entire faculty (current, retired and deceased) of the Theology Department (from Fall 1996 to Fall 2006) without which the shape of this work would be different and this achievement would be in vain. I acknowledge my gratitude to Most Rev. Donald Wuerl, D.D., S.T.D., the predecessor of the current Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and his administrative team for generously offering residence for me in the Diocese of Pittsburgh during my graduate studies at Duquesne University. Fr. John Rushofsky, thanks for mediation regarding my residence in the parish. I cannot express adequately my appreciation to Word of God Parish community. I sincerely thank Fr. Francis Drabiska, MS. Ed., Pastor, Word of God Parish, for generously hosting me, for being understanding and respecting my schedule as priest- student. I acknowledge and appreciate the love and friendliness of the priests I lived with in residence at Word of God Parish – Fr. Charles T. Geiselhart, Fr. Paul D. Cwynar, Fr. Paul Henne (R.I.P), Fr. Dam Nguyen, Fr. Alvin Gutierrez, Fr. Kevin McKnight and Fr. Michael McDermott. I thank the Sisters of Charity at Word of God and Seton Hill, Ann Soltis, Mary Lou Furman, Karen Flynn, Sarah Adams and Therese Trajanoski for their gracious support. I am deeply indebted to the entire parish staff, Word of God school administration, Sr. Mary Victor Powers, the faculty, students and parents, and the entire community of Word of God Parish for their generosity, encouragements, care and support. I thank members of all the parish associations or organizations whose love and concern I experienced while in residence at Word of God Parish. I could not have had a vi better time, community and a more conducive academic atmosphere in a parish pastoral context than what you provided for ten years. I acknowledge my very sincere appreciation of the work of Dr. James P. Hanigan, the Director of this work and, in a singular way, an architect of the work, for his sense of direction, his prudent, profound and wise guidance which helped bring this work to completion. Dr. Hanigan your understanding, dedication, encouragements, caring ways and support were