CARDINAL STEFAN WYSZYNSKI UNIVERSITY in WARSAW FACULTY OF THEOLOGY ZACHARY NDEGWA KABATHA (D4059) AGIKUYU UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAST THINGS IN THE LIGHT OF CATHOLIC ESCHATOLOGY Doctoral dissertation written under supervision of Rev. prof. UKSW dr. hab. Wojciech KLUJ OMI WARSAW (POLAND) 2020 1 2 DECLARATION I the undersigned, declare that this dissertation is my original work. It has not been presented to any institution for academic credit. All the sources used have been duly acknowledged. ks mgr lic Zachary Ndegwa Kabatha (D-4059) Signature………………………………… Date……………………………………... This dissertation has been written under supervision of; Ks. Prof. UKSW dr hab. Wojciech Kluj (OMI) Signature.............................................................. Date...................................................................... 3 4 Table of Contents List of Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................... 7 Abstract.............................................................................................................................................................. 9 GENERAL INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................ 11 Objective of the Study................................................................................................................................. 12 Research Methodology............................................................................................................................... 15 Sources........................................................................................................................................................ 16 Outline.........................................................................................................................................................17 CHAPTER ONE:THE AGIKUYU CONCEPT OF THE LAST THINGS......................................................................... 19 Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 19 1.1 Background of the Agikuyu People........................................................................................................ 20 1.1.1 Geographical Location..................................................................................................................... 20 1.1.2 Agikuyu People............................................................................................................................... 22 1.1.3 Religion .......................................................................................................................................... 23 1.1.4 Administration................................................................................................................................ 28 1.1.5 Economy and Social Life................................................................................................................. 29 1.1.6 Rites of Passage.............................................................................................................................. 32 1.1.6.1 General Concept.................................................................................................................. 32 1.1.6.2 Conception Birth and Naming............................................................................................. 34 1.1.6.3 Initiation.............................................................................................................................. 37 1.1.6.4 Marriage.............................................................................................................................. 41 1.1.7 Initial Contact with Christianity...................................................................................................... 44 1.2 The Last Things in the Agikuyu Perspectives......................................................................................... 48 1.2.1 Death.............................................................................................................................................. 48 1.2.1.1 General Notion.................................................................................................................... 48 1.2.1.2 Causes of Death.................................................................................................................. 53 1.2.1.2.1 Divine Call......................................................................................................................... 53 1.2.1.2.2 Curses.............................................................................................................................. 55 1.2.1.2.3 Magic, Witchcraft and Sorcery........................................................................................ 57 1.2.1.2.4 Diseases and Tragedies in Life......................................................................................... 59 1.2.1.2.5 Punishment..................................................................................................................... 59 1.2.1.3 Funeral Rites Mourning and Burial............................................................................................ 60 1.2.1.3.1 Rituals and Mourning...................................................................................................... 60 1.2.1.3.2 Committal of the Body.................................................................................................... 63 1.2.2 Life after Death.............................................................................................................................. 65 1.2.2.1 Judgment............................................................................................................................ 68 1.2.2.2 Punishment........................................................................................................................ 70 1.2.2.3 Reward............................................................................................................................... 71 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................. 73 CHAPTER TWO: CATHOLIC DOCTRINE ON ESCHATOLOGY............................................................................. 74 Introduction................................................................................................................................................ 74 2.1 Sacred Scriptures……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 75 2.1.1 Old Testament ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 75 2.1.1.1 Genesis............................................................................................................................... 75 2.1.1.2 Ezekiel................................................................................................................................. 78 2.1.1.3 Isaiah................................................................................................................................... 81 2.1.2 New Testament ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 84 2.1.2.1 Matthew.............................................................................................................................. 84 2.1.2.2 Mark.................................................................................................................................... 86 2.1.2.3 Luke-Acts............................................................................................................................. 88 5 2.1.2.4 John..................................................................................................................................... 90 2.1.2.5 Revelation............................................................................................................................ 93 2.1.2.6 Pauline Eschatology............................................................................................................. 96 2. 2 Sacred Tradition …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 99 2.2.1 Patristic Eschatology....................................................................................................................... 99 2.2.2 Ecumenical Councils ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 106 2.2.2.1 Council of Trent................................................................................................................. 106 2.2.2.2 Second Vatican Council..................................................................................................... 108 2.2.3 Contemporary Theologians ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 117 2.2.3.1 Karl Rahner....................................................................................................................... 117 2.2.3.2 Hans Urs Von Balthasar..................................................................................................... 122 2.2.3.3 John Paul II........................................................................................................................ 126 2.2.3.4 Benedict XVI...................................................................................................................... 129 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...135 CHAPTER THREE: TOWARDS AN AGIKUYU THEOLOGY OF THE