| dc.description.abstract | In our society in which we live, some of the basic pillars and principles desired by most people are Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. The urge and need of having Justice, Peace and Reconciliation are as old as the existence of humankind. In ancient times we realize that Justice, Peace and Reconciliation were also called for. Before the coming of Jesus Christ to this world different prophets like Isaiah, Amos and others, of some of the issues they stressed were Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation. Amos (2:7), prophet Amos was not happy with the way the poor were denied Justice. Today many different bodies on both international and national level have come out with resolutions to promote Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. Bodies like United Nations have tried to promote Justice, Reconciliation and Peace. African Union has also tried the same here in Africa in promoting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. This all shows that there is a need for Justice, Peace and Reconciliation.
In the same way we find that also Christians need these three pillars in their day to day life. But it’s unfortunate that, Justice, Peace and Reconciliation are not well lived in Entebbe Parish. Cases such as divisions, domestic violence, tribalism, hatred, Jealousy still exist among the people of Entebbe parish. Efforts have been made by pastors who have made all possible means to help the people of Entebbe parish to receive this sacrament of Penance. Even if all these are done, still there is something lacking so as to have Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. So there is a need for Penance to make an impact in promoting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. With this background, a study on, ‘’The Role of Penance in promoting Justice,Peace and Reconciliation among the people of Entebbe parish in light of Africa Menus,’’ was conceived with a general objective to determine the Role of Penance in promoting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation among the people of Entebbe parish. Three specific objectives namely: to explore the meaning and understanding of the sacrament of Penance, to examine the way of promoting the reception of the sacrament of Penance, to find out the importance of Penance in promoting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. Guided by these, literature related to the study was reviewed and analyzed.
A research methodology that used both random and non-random sampling was constructed. Different tools of data collection were used and they included: oral interviews, questionnaires, participatory observation and non participatory observation. After getting a letter of introduction from the Dean of studies National Seminary Ggaba and using the study tools indicated, the researcher carried out the field study in Entebbe Parish of Kampala Archdiocese. Data from the field was presented and analyzed. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics which involved the use of tables, frequencies, percentages, charts and graphs. The study findings were discussed by the researcher, comparing them to the reviewed literature. The researcher then came to conclusions that, Penance as a sacrament that takes away all those sins which are being committed by someone after baptism and restores human relationship with God. Penance was also seen as that process whereby a penitent goes to a priest to confess his/her sins to God. He adds that a Priest stands in for Christ who intercedes for us to God the Father.
The findings further revealed a number of factors that help in promoting the reception of the sacrament of Penance. Priests in the Parish should make efforts of persuading their Christians to get involved in receiving this sacrament of Penance. She says that priests do mobilize Christians to do many things for instance raising funds or building structures. But if they also mobilize Christians in the same way in receiving Penance and here Penance may be promoted. Also another best way to encourage people to love and receive the sacrament of Penance is by informing people when to repent and also reaching out to the people to their different places of residence, also frequent reminder to the Christians of the need to receive Penance.
The importance of Penance in Promoting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation involved: it helps in restoring broken relationships among people, it also helps people to recognize the bad things that they committed and this helps them to get transformed, new growth spiritually, brings forgiveness, sense of avoiding the occasion of sins. All the above observations and conclusions lead to the researcher to recommend that, the role of Penance in promoting Justice, Peace and Reconciliation should be exposed to all. Celebration of the sacrament with faith, prudence from the priest, giving more time to the people of God, forming Children’s conscience strongly, using mass media as well as plays and drama, also emphasizing Penance in the different religious Movements. The researcher finally came to a general conclusion that, the Catholic Church should find means to extend this divine mercy of God to people who still think that the sacrament of Penance can’t promote Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. | en_US |
