ATC: Conference Schedule
African Christian Theology:
Memories and Mission for the 21st Century
Recalling African theology’s origins,
envisioning its 21st century mission
March 22-25, 2017
Notre Dame Global Gateway
Via Ostilia, 15
Rome, Italy
Conference Schedule (also available as a PDF)
Speaker biographies available here.
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017
7.30am: Mass
9.00: Opening Prayer, Remarks & Introductions: Francis Cardinal Arinze, Fr. Paulinus Odozor, CSSp, and J. Matthew Ashley
Session 1: African Theology: Past, Present and Future
9.10-9.15: Session Chair: J. Matthew Ashley (University of Notre Dame)
9.15-9.45: Fr. Bede Ukwuije, CSSp (Spiritan Generalate): “African Catholic Theology, Then and Now: Issues, Challenges and Ongoing Concerns”
9.45-10.15: M. Shawn Copeland (Boston College): “African Theology in the Diaspora: Its Contributions to Catholic & Christian Theology”
10.15-10.30: Discussion
10.30-11.00: Break
Session 2: African Theology: Foundations, Memories and Contributions
11.00: Session Chair: Ryan Madison (University of Notre Dame)
11.05-11.25: Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu (Emeritus of Mbuji-Mayi): “Memories of the Emergence and Evolution of Theology in the Modern African Church”
11.25-11.45: Fr. James C. Okoye, CSSp (Duquesne University): “Scriptural Memories of the Church in Africa: A Historical/Theological Journey into the Scriptural Revolution in Recent African Christianity”
11.45-12.00: Discussion
12.00-2.00pm: Lunch
Session 3: Scripture in the African Church
2.00: Session Chair: Fr. John Fogarty, CSSp (Spiritan Generalate)
2.05-2.25: Fr. Paulin Poucouta (Catholic University of Central Africa): “Reading the Bible in African Contexts: Theologies of Scriptural Interpretation in Africa”
2.25-2.45: Sr. Jerome Obiorah (University of Nigeria Nsukka): “Scriptural Formation in the African Churches: How Can the African Church Ensure a Truly Well Versed People of the Book?”
2.45-3.05: Sr. Josée Ngalula (Saint Eugène de Mazenod Institute): “Scripture, Preaching and Catechesis in African Catholicism”
3.05-3.20: Discussion
3.20-3.45: Break
Session 4: African Theology: The Question of God
3.45: Session Chair: Dianne Pinderhughes (University of Notre Dame)
3.50-4.10: Fr. Charles Nyamiti (Catholic University of Eastern Africa): “Christological Memories of the Church in Africa: The Question of God in African Theology”
4.10-4.30: Fr. Bonaventure Ugwu, CSSp (Spiritan International School of Theology): “The Holy Spirit in Current African Theology and Pastoral Practice: An Evaluation and a Critique"
4.30-4.55: Fr. John Egbulefu, CCE (Pontifical Urban University): “A New Understanding and Application of The Trinity and The Incarnate Word by African Christians of Today”
4.55-5.10: Discussion
5.10: Conference Adjourns for the Day
DAY 2: THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017
7.30am: Mass
Session 5: Dogmatic Concerns in African Christianity
9.00am: Session Chair: Sr. Veronica Openibo, SHCJ (Society of the Holy Child Jesus Generalate)
9.05- 9.25am: Fr. Leonard Santedi Kinkupu (Catholic University of Congo): “Some Pressing Dogmatic Questions for African Theology Today”
9.25-9.45: Archbishop Berthelemy Adoukonou (Pontifical Council for Culture): “The Anthropological Question in African Theology Today”
9.45-10.00: Discussion
10.00-10.30: Break
Session 6: Pastoral Questions in the African Church
10.30: Session Chair: Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah (Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria)
10.40-11.10: John Cardinal Onaiyekan (Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria): “Ten Pressing Pastoral Issues in the African Church, As I See Them”
11.10-11.40: Laurent Cardinal Monsengwo (Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo): “Pastors as Public Theologians: Faith, Politics, and Justice in the African Church”
11.40-12.10: Archbishop Buti Thlagale, OMI (Archdiocese of Johannesburg, South Africa): “What We Have Learned and What We Are Faced With: The Catholic Church in a Post-Apartheid South Africa”
12.10-12.25: Discussion
12.25-2.00: Break/Lunch
Session 7: Liturgy and Liturgical Theology in the African Church
2.00: Session Chair: Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI (Oblate Generalate)
2.05-2.30: Fr. Elochukwu Uzukwu, CSSp (Duquesne University): “Liturgical Memories of Inculturation in the Church in Africa”
2.30-2.50: Fr. Francois Kabasele (Democritus University of Thrace): “Towards an African Sacramental Theology”
2.50-3.05: Discussion
3.05-3.30: Break
Session 8: Moral Theology: the Question of Values in the African Church
3.30: Session Chair: Nwando Achebe (Michigan State University)
3.35-4.05: Fr. Laurenti Magesa (Cathollic University of East Africa/Hekima College): “Ethical Memories of the Church in Africa: Moral Concerns and Inculturated Christian Response”
4.05-4.25: David Clairmont (University of Notre Dame): “Religious Diversity and Christian Spirituality: Comparative Religious Ethics for a Global Church”
4.25-4.45: Fr. Stan Chu Ilo (DePaul University): “Cultural Diversity and Theological Education in the African Church”
4.45-5.00: Discussion
5.00: Conference Adjourns for the Day
DAY THREE: FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017
7.30am: Mass
Session 9: The Church as Evangelizing Agent in Africa
9.00am: Session Chair: John Cavadini (University of Notre Dame)
9.05-9.25: Fr. Luke Ijezie (Catholic Institute of West Africa): “Biblical Fundamentalism and Its Influence on Contemporary African Theology”
9.25-9.45: Obiageli Nzenwa (Independent Human Resources Consultant, Abuja): “Fueling Our Faith and Reclaiming Our Faithful”
9.45-10.05: J. Matthew Ashley (University of Notre Dame): "The Ignatian Influence on the Spirituality of Pope Francis and its Relevance to Leadership Style in the Global Church"
10.05-10.30: Discussion
10.30-11.00: Break
Session 10: Family and Faith in Africa
11.00: Session Chair: Archbishop Buti Thlagale (Archdiocese of Johannesburg, South Africa)
11.05-11.35: Nontando Hadebe (St. Augustine College, South Africa): “Memories of Women, Gender, and Theology in the African Church”
11.35-11.55: Aïcha Kola (School of Theology for Laymen, Douala): “The Church and the African Family Today”
11:55-12.15: Fr. Paulinus Odozor, CSSp (University of Notre Dame): “Amoris Laetitia: The Youth and the Question of Reception”
12.15-12.30: Discussion
12.30-2.00: Lunch
Session 11: African Christianity and Its Various Interlocutors (Part 1): Islam and African Traditional Religion
2.00: Session Chair: Fr. Michael Perry, OFM (Franciscan Generalate)
2.05-2:25: Pierre Diara (Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris/Catholic Institute of Paris): “African Traditional Religion and Christianity in Dialogue”
2.25-2.45: Fr. Cosmas Ebo Sarbah (University of Ghana): “Islam and Christianity in Dialogue in Africa"
2.45-3.00: Discussion
3.00-3.30: Break
Session 12: African Christianity and Its Various Interlocutors (Part 2)
3.30: Session Chair: Obiageli Nzenwa (Independent Human Resources Consultant, Abuja)
3.35-4.05: Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah (Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria): “Christianity and the world of politics in Africa”
4.05-4.25: Nwando Achebe (Michigan State University): “Historical Challenges to Christianity in Africa”
4.25-4.50: Bishop Godfrey Onah (Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria): “Current and Ongoing Intellectual Challenges to Christianity in Africa”
4.50-5.05: Discussion
5.05: Conference Adjourns for the Day
DAY FOUR: SATURDAY, MARCH 25
7.30am: Mass
Session 13: The Social Situation and Some Current Issues in African Christianity
9.00am: Session Chair: M. Shawn Copeland (Boston College)
9.05-9.50: Cardinal Peter Turkson (Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development): “The African Churches and the Social Question: Lessons from Catholic Social Teaching”
9.50-10.10: Fr. Raymond Aina, MSP (National Missionary Seminary, Nigeria): “Laudato Si and the Environmental Challenge in Africa”
10.10-10.35: Fr. Ludovic Lado, SJ (Catholic University of Central Africa): “African Pentecostalism in an emerging World Church”
10.35-10.50: Break
10.50-11.20: Fr. Michael Perry, OFM (Franciscan Generalate): “Social Reconciliation and the Role of the Church in Africa: Reflections from Burundi, Eastern DRC, and South Sudan”
11.20-11.45: Dianne Pinderhughes (University of Notre Dame): “Social Disorganization and Social Disintegration: Some Observations for Black Catholics.”
11.45-12.00: Discussion
12.00-1.00: Lunch
Session 14: Faith and Culture in Contemporary Africa
1.00pm: Session Chair: Fr. William Headley, CSSp (University of San Diego)
1.05-1.25: Teresia Hinga (Santa Clara University): “African Cultures and the Christian Family Today”
1.25-1.50: Amy Servais (Mater Domini, Cape Town): “Youth, Sexuality and Relationships in Africa and the African Church”
1.50-2.25: Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu (Apostolic Nunciature, Nicaragua): "Ethnicity, Race, and Discriminations as Challenges to the African Christianity"
2.25-2.40: Discussion
2.40-3.00: Break
Session 15: Emerging African Scholars from Notre Dame: The Agenda of African Theology
3.00: Session Chair: David Clairmont (University of Notre Dame)
3.05-4.20: Fr. Emeka Ngwoke ("Newman, Universal Revelation and Inculturation among the Igbo of Nigeria"), Fr. Emery Longanga ("What we have heard: Quest for Narrative for the New Evangelization in Africa"), Sr. Mary Reginald Anibueze DDL ("Liturgical Theology Contextualized: Towards An African Liturgical Theology"), Alison Fitchett Climenhaga ("Contesting Healing: Charismatic Faith Healing, Medical Treatment, and Development among Ugandan Catholics"); Fr. Mark Enemali, CSSp ("Manipulating the Deity: The Case of the Ark Narrative in 1 Samuel 4-6 and its Echoes in African Christianity")
4.20-4.50: Closing summation: John Cavadini (University of Notre Dame)
6.30: Closing Mass at Basilica of San Clemente, Celebrated by Francis Cardinal Arinze (Vatican City)
7.45-9:00: Post-Mass Reception