THE DIACONAL ROLE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF LINDI SOUTHERN TANZANIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF ITS TRANSFORMATIONAL DEVELOPMENT By John Francis Kamwendo Submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Doctor of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch Promoter: Prof. Karel August March 2012 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my appreciation to all those who assisted me in any way in the demanding task of writing this dissertation. Above all I thank God for enabling me to complete this research study which helped me to grow academically and professionally. I owe a special debt of gratitude to my promoter, Prof. Karel August for his valuable advice and special direction not only in this study but also throughout the total doctoral program. He has been both an advisor and a friend. My gratitude is extended also to other members of the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, the Department of Old and New Testament, and the Department of Ecclesiology and Systematic Theology in the Faculty of Theology in Stellenbosch University, during my studies in post graduate diploma, master‟s and doctoral program. In addition, I am deeply indebted to all the professors and lecturers in the Department of Educational Psychology of the Faculty of Education of Stellenbosch University. Special thanks to the library staff, of the main and the Theology libraries, for their kind support in acquiring books, journals and computer assistance for me, as well as the members in the writing laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch during my studies. I also would like to thank Dr. Clint Le Bruyns, who organized Research seminars, and all students who attended the seminars in the Faculty of Theology, and all my fellow Bachelor Degree Honors students in the Faculty of Education. From them I learned invaluable lessons and also received support, constructive comments and encouragement. i Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za To my family members who were helpful, encouraging and supportive during my studies; I extend my deepest love and appreciation. In this regard, words cannot adequately express the priceless support and understanding given by my Father Francis Elijah Kamwendo; my brothers Peter and Joseph; my sisters Sabina, Clara and Josephine; my cousin Margaret Philip Mwingira, who supported me during my studies and when I became sick; and all my other cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Another tribute is to those in our family who have passed away; my beloved Mother Mary, Veronica my sister and my brother George to whom I dedicate this work. I continue to feel their spiritual presence and support in my studies and daily activities. Other special people that deserve acknowledgement for their support are; Abbot Michael Reepen OSB of Muensterschwarzarch Abbey in Germany; Rev. Fr. Ulrich Stoeckl OSB of Ndanda Abbey in Tanzania for their spiritual and financial support during my studies; The Most Rev. Fr. Ernest Chikawe the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lindi for his cooperation and permission to conduct this research in the Diocese; Professor P.L. Van der Merwe, his wife and family, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Retief of Stellenbosch in South Africa for their accommodation, encouragement and material support during my studies; Mr. and Mrs. Van Kerwel and their family for their friendly support during my stay in Stellenbosch; Professor Elna Mouton, former Dean of the Faculty of Theology of Stellenbosch University for her motherly love and giving me a supportive environment in the faculty; Dr. John E. Koenig, Associate Chair and Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies at Indiana University in the USA, and Executive Director of Bradford Woods, Indiana University‟s Internationally acclaimed Learning and Outdoor Education Center, who patiently accommodated, supported, and encouraged me and who also proof read and edited the materials of this study, as well as his wife Patsy Koenig, Director of Academic Services at Indiana University who also encouraged and supported me during the writing of this research study; Archbishop Daniel Buechlein OSB, Fr. Eric Johnson, and Fr. William ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Stumpf of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, for enabling and supporting the process of my affiliation to the Archdiocese and their encouragement to complete this study. Last but not least, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the respondents in the selected parishes of the Diocese of Lindi and all those who participated in this study in order that it might reach its successful completion. iii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION I, John Francis Kamwendo, declare that this dissertation is a product of my own original work, which I am the owner of the copyright unless otherwise stated. The conclusions that have been reached are my own and may not be attributed to any other individual, group or association. In addition, I declare that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted to any other institution to obtain any qualification. _________________________ _______________________ Signature Date iv Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za ABSTRACT This research study addresses the assessment of the role of the Roman Catholic Church in addressing poverty within the Diocese of Lindi in Southern Tanzania. The study is interested in assessing whether the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Lindi is fulfilling its mandated role of diakonia – the ministry of service, philanthropy (initiatives for communal good focusing on excellence of human life), and Christian love to ones neighbor and its role, commitment and application within the Diocese. In addition, this research will focus on the assessment of the fulfillment of the diocese‟s diaconal role of empowering the rural poor to “develop their capacity and skills so that they become competent decision makers with their confidence to act on their choices” (Roy and Hartigan 2008:67). In this study, efforts are made to study poverty from the reality experienced by the poor in the Diocese of Lindi. The component themes in this research study are: The research design of this study and the literature review; relative to Diakonia; Catholic Social Teaching of the Roman Catholic Church; and Bryant Myers‟ framework for Transformational Development. The experience of poverty, diakonia, Catholic social teaching and transformational development by the respondents, with specific reference to the selected parishes in the Diocese of Lindi. A reflection of the reality of poverty from what emerged in literature with empirical qualitative research that is conducted among the poor. This research study suggests a model of Diakonia, which is contextual, relevant and liberating. v Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Focusing on the Scriptures, the social teachings of the Church, the literature and listening to the poor during interview process, this research proposes that the Diocese of Lindi implement a model consistence with Diakonia that takes the following seriously: 1. The role of the church is mandated to carry out as it ministers to the poor in deed and word, guided by Christian love, to enable the poor to lead a better life (Pieterse 2001:111). Also, an African worldview1, which focuses on communal and systemic approaches to life and its problems. 2. The Roman Catholic Church deals with social, economic and political issues (Zalot and Guevin 2008:46). Socio-economic and political dimensions of life, with the recognition that poverty is structural and if the problems of the poor are to be dealt with effectively, the socio-economic and political structures are also to be addressed and transformed. 3. The reflection of concern for seeking positive change in the whole of human life, socially and spiritually (Myers 1999:3, 14). The poor, as living human documents, should not only be read and interpreted, but also taken seriously and regarded as central to the process of community development. The poor are to play the central role in the transformation of society. They are to be involved in the “functional priesthood of all believers” (Stevenson-Moessner 2005:21). 1 Duncan Olumbe (2008:1-5) explains worldview as the set of assumptions and presuppositions that a person holds consciously or unconsciously about how they perceive the reality. Worldview is the underlying set of ideas that enables people to cope with life in a given culture. There is a very close relationship between worldview and religion. African worldview is generally classified under Primal worldview, which is the set of underlying presumptions about life in a Traditional society. The following are the useful basic themes in exploring the African worldview: Supreme Being - in traditional African society, there is implied and wide spread belief in a Supreme Being. African tribal societies are rich in the awareness of a Supreme Being to the extent that no native – born African is unaware of the God’s existence. The Cosmos - Traditional Africans believe that a Supreme Being created the cosmos. Human Beings – in African tribal societies, the Supreme Being created human beings. Community – African traditional societies place very high premium on communities. Knowledge – Arising from the belief in a world full of hostile spiritual powers, every physical event is believed to have an underlying spiritual cause. Ethics – The understanding of what is good and bad is based on the traditions passed down from the ancestors. This research agrees with African worldview of community that “Africans tend to find their identity and meaning in life through being part of their extended family, clan and tribe. There is a strong feeling of common participation in life, a common history, and a common destiny” (Olumbe 2008:4). This researcher agrees and affirms that people in Tanzania live the life of communion in the sense of the above explanation of the African worldview.