Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – In St. Paul’s Jubilee of University Students, which took place in Rome March 12-15, at the European University in Rome, an International Forum of Universities was held, entitled “Gospel, culture and cultures,” which offered an important reflection on the present state of dialogue between the Gospel and culture, and the prospects and challenges of university campus ministry in the world.
The many representatives from universities in Africa dedicated a special session on Africa and campus ministry on the continent. Presiding the encounter, on March 14, was Prof. Julious Amioba Okojie from the National Universities Commission (NUC) of Abuja, Nigeria. He introduced the discussion on campus ministry and the relationship between the Gospel, science and technology. The debate opened with a reflection on the role of the university chaplain , the rules to be followed and communicated, and the means for transmitting these rules in daily life and for transforming “students into African citizens.” According to the presider and the moderators of the discussion, these are the challenges of chaplains and parishes of universities.
Prof. Jacques Simpore, from the Université Saint Thomas d’Aquin of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in his talk recalled that the universities in Africa experience cultural conflicts, and a constant search for an identity. However, Prof Simpore noted, “homo erectus came from Africa, a continent that is a mosaic of peoples, ethnic groups, and civilizations.” Above all, he said, it is important to highlight the difference between the state universities and the Catholic universities: the former are “lay places, where one finds many cultures, religions, and even scientism”; here, the work of the chaplain is a bit more complicated and that is why, there should be an adequate preparation and know-how in responding to professors and students on any topic, from philosophy to theology to science, “ and even in the area of bioethics.”
It is also important that among the challenges and prospects of “truth, honesty, philanthropy, respect for life, and healthy governing,” the chaplain make an effort to “promote the Christian faith and to integrate the Gospel with a culture for a new humanism,” because, as Prof. Simpore noted, the university campus should also become “a place for vocational promotion.”
The discussion addressed various problems linked to Africa, the university, the responsibility of the Catholic priests working in academic institutions. There is above all a lack of structure, especially in university chapels, but there are also other kinds of problems linked to the primary and substantial needs of each one, such as poverty and illness, or all the questions related to social and political transformation, with the strong racial and gender discriminations that exist.
A young man from Nigeria, Sylvester, mentioned that the people's lifestyle is very important and in addition to religions, languages, cultures, there are also the problems of real life: “food, work, production, the harvest.” Africa has too long remained completely dependent on the West, and it is for this reason that today, the youth need to be taught “dignity, independence, self-confidence.” It should be noted that, in contrast with the past, Africa now has optimum technical, engineering, and medical advantages and could no longer need to depend on the West, even in the areas of science and technology, Sylvester said.
Unfortunately, it has not always embraced the best of Western Civilization, and oftentimes, it has been mistaken in believing that power is the most important. Thus, what is greatly needed today is the awareness of independence, the value of freedom. Entering into a university should imply entrance into an area of liberty, said Nigerian Eke Cornelius. “The African culture is very rich and we should find where this commitment with the Word of God lies, in order to take responsibility for the future of our children, according to the Word of God.”
Dr. Odile Tchangmena, from Nigeria, says that Africa has a problem linked to the many cultures that the continent holds. Selma, from Angola, lives in Rome and works in youth ministry. She says that she has worked with many youth, but the majority were priests or sisters, and thus, more effort should be made for “lay African youth to bring awareness where it might not otherwise be reached.”
The final speech in the Forum was given by Prof. Jean-Bosco Matand, from the Université Catholique du Congo, in Kinshasa. He highlighted that “the work of the chaplain is also a plan of action, a joint effort along with the professors, the administration, and all the staff. It should take place in a Christian perspective, in a perspective of people who truly live their faith.” (FM) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2009)
