PROMOTION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE THROUGH SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE LIGHT OF AMORIS LAETITIA: A PASTORAL STUDY OF GATUNDU DEANERY, ARCHDIOCESE OF NAIROBI
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The purpose was to explore effective ways of promoting marriage and family life through Small Christian Communities in the light of Amoris Laetitia in Gatundu deanery for new evangelization.
Statement of the problem: The researcher observed that there seems to be laxity, separation and divorce in some marriages and family life in Gatundu deanery. Individuals and families are receiving less support from social structures than in the past. Inadequate preparation before marriage has led to intolerance and hostility in the family.
Research methodology: This study takes pastoral circle or spiral of praxis as its methodology which comprises of four moments closely related, namely: insertion, social analysis, theological reflection and pastoral planning. This method is both inductive and deductive, thus, it embraces both the pastoral action of the Church with its teachings emphasizing on reading the signs of times.
Findings: The researcher observed that some families live in dire poverty and great limitations. Many children are abused sexually and abandoned on the fringes of society. This phenomenon sweeps away the ideal of family and marriage when its commitment to stability proves tiresome. The Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis; Amoris Laetitia are available but not in the local language and there is no one to explain thus it’s difficult to implement. Manual for marriage stipulates that those to be prepared for marriage are to take not less than six months but people are taught for four to six weeks. Not only that, some even don’t come for marriage sessions especially if they are from rich families, they pay for those sessions and they get married in the Church and this shows the inadequate preparations of marriage and hence hinders the promotion of marriage and family life.
Conclusion: The proper ongoing formation of leaders on the role of SCCs can promote marriage and family life in Gatundu deanery. In the light of these study the pastoral perspective in the African context and guided by Kingdom Of God as our pastoral angel component, we argue that if the local Church in the contemporary society can embrace the traditional elements of kubanga na kunyitanira (planning and solidarity) and incorporate them in marriage and family life it can enhance the promotion of marriage in Gatundu deanery since it embraces hospitality, generosity, oneness, listening, dialogue, respect, mutuality and commitment among others. Tribalism and intermarriages since it is a challenge which disintegrate families, it needs reverential dialogue for marriage to be sustained. Thus, for this to be realized, strategic pastoral plan need to be put in place.
Recommendations: The study gives recommendations so as to enhance the promotion of marriage and family life in Gatundu deanery and by doing so we will be responding to the essential need for strategic pastoral planning.
Keywords: Marriage and Family life, Promotion, Gatundu Deanery
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