Economic empowerment: A strategy to the improvement of the laity's active participation in parish life: A case study of Kakoma Parish, Mbarara Archdiocese

Abstract

The study was set out to establish the thesis economic empowerment of the laity is indispensable for the improvement of their participation in the parish life. Consequently, in Chapter One, the background of the Study was laid out that there is low participation of the lay faithful in the parish life mainly due to the scourge of economic poverty and thus, a need for proper sensitization and combined effort in order to re-awaken active participation in terms of attending masses, paying tithe, reception of the sacraments, and accepting leadership roles in the Church circles. Guided by the objectives of the study, related views of other scholars were consulted as indicated in Chapter Two of this research. In addition, field work was undertaken among the laity of Kakoma parish. The data which was collected through the use of interviews, questionnaires and observation was carefully analysed, summarized and coded into themes and sub-themes and consequently conclusions and recommendations were drawn. The study ideally found out that inactive participation really exists among the laity in Kakoma parish and its effects were especially prevalent in their attendance at Masses and services, paying tithe, reception of the sacraments, and taking part in leadership roles in their respective Small Christian Communities. It was also found out that economic empowerment as a relevant strategy to address this unfortunate situation had not deeper roots among the number of the lay faithful including their leaders because of the inadequate means to implement it. It is against this background that the study recommends economic empowerment as an appropriate strategy to be individually and collectively embraced to ensure that a more active participation of the laity is achieved in Kakoma parish-Mbarara Archdiocese.