Participation of the laity in the social ministry of the Church in Nigeria

Abstract

The dissertation examines the theme: 'The Participation of The Laity in The Social Ministry of the Church in Nigeria', with particular reference to the present situation in St. Anne's Catholic Diocese of lkot Ekpene, Nigeria. The context which gives unity and direction to this dissertation is the echoed sound from the Special Assembly for the 1994 African Synod, particularly its emphasis on the vocation of the laity to participation. It seeks to discuss the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa; as well as selected documents of Vatican Council II and post-Conciliar documents. The methodology employed includes also a case-study with structured interviews as an assessment tool to evaluate the degree of the laity participation in Church social ministry. The first Chapter will deal with the Church, its mission and its social ministry. The second Chapter will examine the social commitment of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, in relation to social and historical developments. The third chapter, then, will take on the actual participation of the laity in social ministry in the diocese of St. Anne's, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. There will be an evaluation of the present situation; the case-study and the main findings with the overall results; as well as the key areas of strengths and weaknesses. The fourth Chapter will address the vision of laity participation in Church social ministry, with particular emphasis on the spirituality of social ministry, as well as strategies which could help the diocese move forward towards the desired vision. The dissertation will hopefully help to promote social ministry in the diocese of St Anne, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.