The role of the catholic church in promoting new evangelization in Kyamuhunga Parish in light of Redemptoris Missio

Abstract

This study was majorly on the role of the Catholic Church in promoting New Evangelization. This was in light of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Redemptoris Missio. It was carried out in Kyamuhunga Catholic Parish, Mbarara Archdiocese and specifically in four sub parishes, that is, Kyamuhunga, Kabingo, Kakoni and Ryamarembo. It was discovered that in order to foster Jesus’ command of spreading the Gospel to all nations (Mt 28:18-20), the Catholic Church has a significant role in furthering this mission through New Evangelization. The study employed a descriptive survey with the aim of collecting information from the respondents on the role of the Catholic Church in promoting New Evangelization in Kyamuhunga Parish. The researcher used both primary data like: questionnaires, interview guides, telephone call interviews, focused group discussions and observation methods. Secondary data sources included: Church magisterial and papal documents, published books, articles, journals, websites and online sources of information. The study was motivated by several challenges like: mushrooming religious sects, low commitment, indifference towards religious activities and Christians’ double standards of living. Despite these challenges, there seems to be minimal efforts to solve them in order to promote New Evangelization in Kyamuhunga Parish. The main objective of this study was to establish the role of the Catholic Church in promoting New Evangelization in Kyamuhunga Catholic Parish. The specific objectives were: exploring the meaning of New Evangelization, examining the role of the Catholic Church in promoting New Evangelization and suggesting possible ways in which the Catholic Church can be more involved in promoting New Evangelization. The study revealed ways in which the Catholic Church is promoting New Evangelization such as: catechesis, inculturation, empowerment of Small Christian Communities, charity, and integral development. There are also challenges involved like: less exemplary lives of agents, secularization, negative influence in Christian communities, relativism, inhospitality, clericalism, economic strain in present times, unpractical Catholics and gender imbalance. In order for the Catholic Church to better promote New Evangelization, the study showed that there is need for: proper training of agents, submission to the Holy Spirit, empowerment of catechists, adoption of new and relevant methods, use of modern communication means, promotion of liturgical activities, support of family life, involvement of all Christians, support for Small Christian Communities and remuneration for agents of New Evangelization.