The department of Pastoral Theology in the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on Friday 8th April launched its first ever journal of Pastoral Theology called the Good Shepherd in a colorful ceremony that was led by the first head of Pastoral Theology at the institution Rt. Rev. Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Vicariate Apostolic of Soddo, Ethiopia and Rt. Rev. Joseph Ndembu Mbatia, Bishop of Nyahururu Diocese in Kenya.
In his homily during the Eucharistic celebrations that preceded the launching ceremony, Bishop Mejía revealed that 35 year ago he was the youngest staff member of CUEA, then known as Catholic High Institution of Eastern Africa (CHIEA) and he was the head of Pastoral Theology, which at the time had only five students, among them Rev. Fr. Joseph Kato who later became head of Pastoral Department at AMECEA Secretariat.
“I have seen CUEA growing but never had a chance to preside over the Mass, this is therefore a great opportunity for me and a reason for great joy,” he said on a light note.
Rev. Dr. Nicholaus Segeja, the current head of Pastoral Theology at the University said that the idea of publishing a journal was conceived long time ago and he was glad that it has become a reality. While extending his gratitude to all who, through their participation, in one way or the other have contributed to the success of the publication, he said adding that it took many hands for support and working together to realize the dream.
“The mandate of the department of Pastoral Theology is to do research and publication, as well
as teach and serve in the community,” Fr. Segeja said adding that because of its nature, the department also has a duty of studying priorities in pastoral challenges in the church and society and proposing formal strategy to respond to them at different levels.
He explained that the department also need to collaborate in evaluating and proposing pastoral programs of common interest specifically in the local churches, in the parishes, pastoral institutes and centers, seminaries and formation centers.
“Because of its nature and mandate which is in line with the current CUEA Strategic Development Plan, and considering the needs of pastoral and theological research due to contemporary challenges that call for pastoral collaborations and networking in AMECEA Region and beyond, the department saw that the launching of the good shepherd journal suffices as a necessity,” he said.
Among the topics covered in this first Volume, Issue number one of the Good Shepherd Journal include Socio-Pastoral Analysis and Social Sciences Research Methodologies: Areas of Convergence and Divergence authored by Rev. Dr. Segeja; From Pastoral to Practical Theology authored by Msgr. Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, SJ; Doing Quality Pastoral Theology Research in African Context authored by Rev. Prof. Peter Ignatius Gichure; Pastoral Methodological Considerations: Guidelines for Writing Research works, authored by Rev. Jim Kanakulia and Rev. Dr. Segeja.
Other topics covered include Applying Personality Virtue Ethics to Pastoral Theology authored by Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Wabanhu and finally Evangelii Guadium and the Church as family of God, authored by Rev. Dr. Jordan Nyenyembe.
Fr. Segeja said that the successful publication and the launch of the Good Shepherd Journal is an indication of more publications in the pipeline that the department is working on. He said that plans are underway to publish more research works done by the institution which aim at providing the much needed information to the Church and community in General.
The Good shepherd Journal was published and printed by the CUEA Press.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
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