The Function of Dialogue in the Process of Evangelisation A pastoral-theological appraisal of the relevance of Dialogue in a Nigerian context based on the experience of Igboland INAUGURAL DISSERTATION ZUR ERLANGUNG DES AKADE- MISCHEN GRADES EINES DOKTORS DER THEOLOGIE EINGEREICHT BEI DER KATHOLISCH-THEOLOGISCHEN FAKULTÄT DER JULIUS-MAXILLIAN-UNIVERSITÄT, WÜRZBURG SOMMERSEMESTER 2002 VON OKECHUKWU HILARY OCHULOR YSENBURGSTR. 2C, 97082 WÜRZBURG 2 Dedicated to: My parents & The success of efforts to recognise the importance and place of dialogue in human relations and in witnessing to the call to witness 3 A P P R E C I A T I O N S How excellent O Lord is your loving kindness. Thank you for the many favours and your gifts and also for bringing this intellectual expedition to a fruitful end. My thanks go to my local, Bishop Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, for granting me the opportunity to conduct this research in the University of Würzburg. I sincerely appreciate his visits, calls and words of encouragement as the going was getting tough. I express my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to my “Doktorvater”, Prof. Dr. Rolf Zerfaß, who has accompanied me throughout my study period in the faculty of theology and generously guided this work with interest, pa- tience and care. Thank you Prof. for your interest in this project and for the innumerable sacrifices in making me feel at home in Germany. Your lec- tures, seminars and discussions with me have helped in nourishing my intel- lectual hunger. My gratitude goes to the Professors in the Faculty of Theology of the uni- versity of Würzburg, especially Prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Wittstadt - the co- referent of this thesis who generously agreed to co-moderate this work. I appreciate the contributions of Prof. Dr. E. Klinger, Prof. Dr. Dr. K.-H. Müller and Prof. Dr. O. Meuffels in this regard. The Catholic diocese of Würzburg deserves my appreciation for granting the scholarship and the opportunity to exercise my priestly duties in the parish of Heiligkreuz, Würzburg. I remain ever grateful to my parents Mr Raphael N. Ochulor and Mrs. An- gela O. Ochulor enough, through whom I was able to see the light of day. I thank your for sacrificing so much for me and for my brothers and sister Chinwe. My friends Pfr. (i.R.) Benno Kurz, Pfr. Peter Streit, Familie Franz Josef Schmid (Darmstadt-Wixhausen), Familie Josef und Hanne Schor (Würz- burg) and Familie Engelmann (Würzburg) deserve special mention for their friendship and assistance. 4 I salute my friends, especially the Revs. Drs. M. Jiwike, B. Okike, U. C. Nwosu, Ogbuagu G. Okoko, P. I. Okonkwo and K. Ekugo, Frs. N. Mbogu cmf, A. Ikwuagwu, U. Maduka, and C. Ukeh (one of the readers of the manuscripts). I thank you all for your cooperation and contributions to- wards enhancing our friendship and towards the realisation of this project. Special thanks to Fr. James Abosike for his encouragement and interest in me. I acknowledge my indebtedness to the priests and religious of Olokoro especially the very Rev. Fr. A. C. Ogbenna, Frs. J. U. Nwachukwu, I. Njuwa, T. Nwogu, F. Onwunali and Srs. C. Ifeanacho, O. Usuwa, Phina Maris Ekwuonye. Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS A P P R E C I A T I O N S ..................................................................................................3 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................................11 0. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................16 0.1 Personal Reasons for the Research..............................................................................17 0.2 Aim of the Research.......................................................................................................................18 0.3 Method of the Research.............................................................................................................18 0.4 Materials and Sources.................................................................................................................19 0.5 Structure.....................................................................................................................................................19 PART ONE: VOIR (SEE) ................................................................................................22 CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................................22 1 AN INSIGHT INTO NIGERIA AND THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE CHURCH ...........................................................................................................................22 1.1. The Geographical Entity: Nigeria and its Features......................................22 1.1.1 The Climatic Conditions ................................................................................................. 23 1.1.2 The Early History of Nigeria and its People.............................................. 24 1.1.3 The Economic Resources and Political Development of Nigeria 25 1.1.4 Cultural and Religious Elements in the life of the People............ 30 1.1.4.1 Languages .............................................................................................................................. 30 1.1.4.2 Traditions................................................................................................................................ 31 1.1.4.3 Education................................................................................................................................ 31 1.1.4.4 Religions.................................................................................................................................. 32 1.1.4.4.1. Traditional Religion........................................................................................... 33 1.1.4.4.2. Islam in Nigeria: A Brief Historical Review ............................. 34 1.1.4.4.3. The Christian Religion................................................................................... 35 1.2. The Igbo Territory...........................................................................................................................36 1.2.1. Geographical Location of Igboland.................................................................... 36 1.2.1. The Term “Igbo”.................................................................................................................... 37 4 1.2.2. Who are the Igbo? ................................................................................................................ 37 1.2.3. Igbo Cultural and Political Organisation...................................................... 38 1.2.4. Economic Resources of the People ..................................................................... 42 1.2.5. Igbo Traditional Religion and Culture............................................................. 42 1.2.5.1. Belief in God........................................................................................................................ 43 1.2.5.2. Divinities in Igbo traditional Religion............................................................... 43 1.2.5.3. Belief in Ancestors: The Living-Dead ............................................................. 44 1.2.5.4. Belief in Magical Forces, Charms, Amulets and Medicine............ 45 CHAPTER TWO ...............................................................................................................46 2. METHODS OF EVANGELISATION IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN NIGERIA........................................................................................................................46 2.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................47 2.1.1. The Portuguese Mission in Benin and Itsekiri (1480 - 1807)... 47 2.1.2. Reasons for the Failure: A Brief Review ....................................................... 50 th 2.2. 19 Century Missionary Experiences..........................................................................52 2.2.1. The Church of Nigeria Missionary Society ................................................ 52 2.2.1.1. Ex-Slaves: Primary Factor in the Establishment of the CMS Mission in Nigeria....................................................................................................................................... 53 2.2.1.2. The “Three Self” Method......................................................................................... 54 2.2.2. The Roman Catholic Missionary Enterprise (1883 - ).................... 56 2.2.2.1. The SMA Methods of Evangelisation in Lagos...................................... 57 2.2.2.2 The School Apostolate ............................................................................................... 58 2.2.2.2. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry................................................................... 58 CHAPTER THREE...........................................................................................................60 3. EVANGELISATION IN IGBOLAND.......................................................................60 3.1. The CMS Methods ..........................................................................................................................60 3.1.1. Education as a Means of Evangelisation...................................................... 61 3.1.2. Evangelisation through Culture .............................................................................