Ecumenism in a Multi-Religious Context - Africa

Ecumenical Review, The, July, 2001 by Method Kilaini

Religion controls all major events in life, right from the womb, through birth, infancy, puberty, initiation, marriage and funerals and in many African societies there are rites for each of these phases of life.

The approach of the missionaries was to liberate Africans from sin and "the works of the devil" as expressed in traditional religion. But one hundred years of evangelization have not eradicated traditional religion. In reply to the Lineamaneta in preparation for the synod for Africa of 1994, the Ghana episcopal conference expressed what many have come to realize: "On the surface, African Traditional Religion (ATR) seems to be dying out, but this is not so." The Uganda episcopal conference, in a strongly Christian country, stated, "ATR is solidly entrenched in the lives of millions of people and, therefore, cannot be ignored."(9) African traditional religion is part of African culture. Most Christians south of the Sahara are still as much part of the African traditional religion as they are part of their culture. Any evangelization that ignores this cultural reality will be only surface deep.

Dialogue with the African traditional religion, then, is not dialogue with another hierarchy, but with a culture. It has to be studied with openness, and its positive elements adopted. The words of Pope John Paul II on his visit in Mali bring this to the fore:

   In dialogue with those who remain attached to the traditional African
   religions, encourage a benevolent concern for the values they profess so as
   to recognize with discernment that which can remain as an integral part of
   the common good. Collaboration will often be possible and beneficial for
   the service of society. And, while maintaining an invaluable part of the
   traditional heritage, Christians will be able to give a clear witness to
   their own faith in Jesus Christ, in a naturally fraternal dialogue.(10)

Conclusion

Ecumenism in Africa is being challenged on three fronts: fraternal dialogue among sister churches to find a common direction in propagating the word of Christ; dialogue with Islam, a religion believing in one God but with a different theology; and an approach and dialogue with the African traditional religion which, though it has no books, theologians, hierarchy or institutions, is a strong baseline of thought also for many Christians. Ecumenism has two approaches to dialogue, through life witness and through the "experts". The approach of life witness is open to all. In this, one must first live one's beliefs to the full; only then can one approach others with respect and love. Here persons of different religions do not discuss philosophy or theology, but try to find a common way to live together as brothers and sisters, creatures of the same God. In a multi-religious context religion cuts across tribal, geographical and family circles, and one finds people of different denominations, or even religions, in the same family. These have to learn to live together and here the life witness approach has a special place.