Churches in the Family of God

About the Book

The present study is a theological search for such an appropriate ecumenical paradigm or framework that can help churches especially in Africa to be meaningfully engaged in the ecumenical movement. It commences with an exposé of the local background, the basic features, expressions and typologies of the various churches and ecclesial bodies that exist in Africa. Factors that influenced, and still influence, the disunity among the churches and ecclesial communities in Africa were identified. Likewise, local foundations that can sustain a common framework for promoting the churches’ unity were spotted out. Useful principles and praxes were found in the Catholic Christian heritage, and after determining their suitability in the local African context, the research makes a proposal for a model of ecumenism that is based on the understanding of the church, and of its unity, as a family of God.

About the Author

The author is a forty-five years old priest and scholar of the Catholic diocese of Nnewi in South-eastern Nigeria, West Africa. He obtained his Masters degree in pastoral theology (in 2004) as well as his doctorate degree (in 2008) in systematic theology; all from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. He has also worked in Portlaoise Parish, County Laois Ireland while he studied in the Institute of Public Administration Dublin Ireland where he obtained a diploma in Healthcare management. Now, he is back to his home country, Nigeria where he presently serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Group of Health science schools.