Department of Pastoral Theology

Vision of the Department

An organ of the Holy Spirit-filled family of God within the CUEA community life and mission, commitment to holistic evangelization and integral development, emphasizing both spiritual and practical aspects.

Mission Statements

1. Mission Statement

To liberate and transform God’s family in AMECEA region and beyond to a credible and prophetic witness to Christ’s salvific event, by promoting reverential dialogue, unity, reconciliation, justice, peace and solidarity, through:

• Promotion of deeper evangelization, constant conversion and prayer, inculturation, ecumenism and inter-religious dialogues.
• Relevant and quality assurance formation of students in pastoral theology as agents of evangelization.
• Continued research on revitalizing and fostering the role of small Christian Communities in evangelization and community service.
• Research and publications on the pastoral challenges affecting the Church and society in AMECEA countries, Africa and beyond.
• Empowering the laity, clergy, religious men and women to play their active role in the Church and society.
• Promoting the work of catechesis and formation of catechists according to the GDC.

2. Mission Statement

To transform God’s family within the AMECEA region (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa) and beyond through equipping students, clergy, and laity with knowledge to engage in effective pastoral ministry, grounded in reverence, dialogue, and service. Key elements of the mission include:

• Promotion of Deeper Evangelization: Encouraging a profound encounter with the Gospel message, constant conversion, and prayer.
• Inculturation and Ecumenism: Fostering dialogue with diverse cultures and promoting unity among Christians.
• Research and Publications: Investigating pastoral challenges affecting the Church and society, with a focus on AMECEA countries and Africa as a whole.
• Empowering the Laity, Clergy, and Religious: Encouraging active participation in the Church and broader societal contexts.
• Formation of Catechists: Supporting the work of catechesis in accordance with the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC).
• Role of Small Christian Communities: The department recognizes the vital role of small Christian communities in evangelization and community service. These communities serve as places of fellowship, worship, and mutual support, contributing to the growth of faith.
• Holistic Approach: The emphasis on holistic evangelization underscores the integration of spiritual, social, and practical dimensions. By promoting dialogue, justice, peace, and solidarity, the department seeks to address the multifaceted needs of God’s family.

The Mandate of the Department

Pastoral theology plays a crucial role in bridging doctrine and practical action within the Church. The following key point guides the departmental mandate:

• Inseparability of Doctrine and Pastoral Action: Pastoral theology emphasizes the unity of doctrine and practice. Rather than treating them as separate entities, it recognizes that they are intertwined. This perspective aligns with the biblical understanding that practice and doctrine should be harmonious and grounded in Christ.
• Balancing Theoretical Elaboration and Practical Adaptation: Pastoral theology avoids becoming overly theoretical. It doesn’t focus solely on creating new theories divorced from practical application. Instead, it seeks to generate new energies for sanctity by adapting to concrete situations. It remains flexible and responsive to the needs of people.
• The Church as the ‘Universal Sacrament of Salvation: The Church, described as the universal sacrament of salvation, is built up daily through the power of the Holy Spirit. This understanding emphasizes the Church’s role in mediating God’s grace to humanity and fostering spiritual growth.
• African Context and Reverential Reflection: In the African context, pastoral theology takes on a specific character. It involves reverential dialogical reflection on the Church-family. It does this by openly taking dialogue to the cultures. As the Church grows toward fulfillment, it engages with contemporary challenges and adapts its pastoral strategies accordingly.

In summary, pastoral theology serves as a bridge between theory and praxis, ensuring that the Church remains relevant and responsive to the needs of its members and society by:

1. Teaching, research, publication, and community outreach.
2. Studying pastoral challenges, proposing strategies, evaluating programs, conducting research, and promoting human rights.