The Prophetic Role of Religious -- A One Day Workshop by 
Fr. Peter Henriot, S.J. 
Held at Cardinal Nsubuga Leadership Training Center, Nsambya – Nov. 7^th 2001

Action on behalf of Justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. (Justice in the World, 1971).

The above quote formed the backdrop for the day’s presentation. After opening with morning- prayer led by Sr. Linda, and a brief introduction of the guest of the day by Fr. Tony Wach, S.J., Fr. Peter Henriot, S.J. began by asking what were some of the positive things that are happening in Uganda at the moment. The following were suggested

• the fact that there were lots of gatherings taking place all over Uganda;

• improved adult literacy;

• economic awareness and in particular a greater knowledge of the use of resources;  

• education;

• decline in the rate of HIV/AIDS;

• constant peace initiatives;

• women’s empowerment;  
• planting of trees; etc.

 Among the negative aspects were:

• corruption;

• involvement in the Congo;

• sectarianism;

• 15 year war in the north

• high unemployment

• lack of essential drugs for the poor;

• increased number of street children

• ritual witchcraft;

• poverty;

• high illiteracy;

• displaced people;

• child abuse;

• violation of human rights, etc.

A major difficulty that many non-Africans face is the need to overcome afro- pessimism – things have to be done in the context of the signs of hope that are present in society.

This follows the example of Jesus who contextualized himself as he began his mission – see Lk. 4:16-21.

• For our Religious Life to be relevant, it needs to be informed and influenced by our contextual situation.

What does the word Prophetic mean?

• witness of Kingdom values;

• baptism;

• courageous;

• risky;

• reading the Signs of the Times;

• frontier people;

• authentic;

• able to speak out/up;

• obligations;

• justice;

• gadfly – someone who bites, irritates;  

• sign of hope;

The scripture passage that was used in the African Synod was that of Lk.10: 25-37 – the story of the Good Samaritan. There are a number of lessons that can be learnt from the parable of the Good Samaritan:

1. Compassionate sight – The Samaritan was able to see beyond his own possibilities and respond to a situation that called for action.

2. Personal involvement – The Samaritan took a risk.

3. There was some Organizational arrangement to respond to a long-term need. There has to be some planning for long-term involvement. There are no easy quick solutions.

4. Societal Change – The response has to lead to a wider societal change, and cannot be left just at the individual level.

For the Religious, and particularly in the context of Africa, the Good Samaritan has to come from Africa. There is every possibility of becoming so accustomed to the daily problems that we see around us, that we become dulled to the severity of these problems. There is a strong need to keep our compassionate sight clear and focused.

For the Religious there is a need to keep renewing our involvement in our surroundings and to have a clear set of priorities so that issues are dealt with in a systematic way. The fact that many issues are societal issues also needs to be kept in mind. 

The Church and the Religious need to constantly strive to be relevant and credible. This means learning to really identify with the needs of the people being served. The Church needs to look at the issue of justice in three ways:

• in how it treats  people;

• in how it holds possessions;

• in what its lifestyle is.

Fr. Henriot also spoke about the different models of Church, and brought us back to the model chosen by the African Synod, namely the of Family of God. It was pointed out that this is not new to Africa, since traditional Africa has always had strong extended family ties, and placed a high value in family and hospitality. Fr. Henriot suggested that it needs to be gone into much deeper. He talked about a dualistic/dichotomy approach to society, namely the spiritual and the worldly, and how that tends to influence the approach taken to issues. Fr. Henriot talked about how all religious are in the same service of Faith and promotion of justice. This entails many ministries but one mission, and all Religious communities should have a dimension of Justice and peace in their work.

The document on the Synod of Africa raised a number of issues:

• The fact that Africa is perceived as forgotten and neglected (to the extent that in an address before Africare in early November, US Secretary of State Colin Powell was applauded for pointing out that Africa would not be forgotten despite the tragic events of Sept. 11^th 2001). In order to create a Church for tomorrow there is a need to step back from the day-to-day events and try to take a long view. This requires having a vision, looking beyond that vision, and accepting that we will only accomplish a small part of it.

Using the example of poverty, Fr. Henriot spoke about three different ways of understanding how to tackle issues. These are: alleviation, reduction and eradication. Each of these has different end results:

• alleviation – this is basic charity – giving to solve the problem of basic needs not being present. This is just a short- term solution. This is done to lessen the suffering, through handouts and welfare, and doesn’t make any attempt to seek the root cause.

• reduction – this concentrates on the numbers, and seeks through whatever means to make the numbers of those who are suffering go down.

• eradication – this goes to the root, and seeks to eliminate the conditions that cause the problems. This calls for conversion, looking at structures and working for justice, and is the task that all who seeks to really take on problems need to identify. What are the steps that will lead to the eradication of the problems?

There is a need to work for kingdom values now! One of the ways to try and understand what those Kingdom values are is through the Catholic Social Teaching of the Church These can act as guidelines for formation. They are not a complete answer in and of themselves. 

RELIGIOUS LIFE AS PROPHETIC

Religious Life is spoken of in terms of the Consecrated Life- this gives a sense of separation- that Religious are set aside from ordinary life in contrast to being involved in it.

Another way of looking at it would be to think of Religious life as “the missioned- life” as in sent forth. Mk. 3:13 – being companions to be sent out. Jesus wants people with him in order to carry out the mission. Living the vowed life is one way of participating in the mission. 

VOWS

• An ascetical way of life – demands discipline. It is a way of denial for a good reason

• It is apostolic – empowering – orienting towards others.

• The vows touch the basic human instincts and development conditions.

• Touch on intimate love that is creative;

• Making choices and decisions that allow interior decisions to come forth- that is non dependent;

• Calls forth the choice of how I use/relate to external goods- the management of resources that is mutually enriching.

Fr. Henriot spoke of culture as being the root cause of injustices in society and mentioned three cultural patterns:

• the influence of external cultural patterns- the need to offer a counter cultural witness that speaks of being fully human and happy – finding a core that is creative and empowering – fidelity /happiness

• the political decisions that are made in an authoritarian way- I have the power – you have to listen – what are the consequences? – through obedience it isn’t necessary to have the final word

• the gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow because of the world economic structures – through Religious – an example of a life of sharing, caring and sparing care of the environment and its resources can be witnessed to.- a simple life style

• the need for an empowering that orients towards service

Break for lunch followed by a video: the Good News from El Salvador – the witness of six Jesuit priests and two El Salvadoran women.

Some lessons that can be drawn from the Video:

• make an effort to know more;

• spread the truth about the issues – through the media, schools, etc.

• write letters – to religious/political leaders, to the media

• offer financial support where needed and where possible

• pray

FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS FOR A PROPHETIC ROLE

CONSCIENTISAZTON - Paulo Freire – Pedagogy of the Oppressed - provided people with the opportunity to move into a social system that was dynamic – move from being objects to subjects.

Three expressions:
            Object says:                                         - Subject says:

     1)      I don’t know                                  1) I know
2)      I don’t care                                   2) I care
3)      I can’t do                                      3) I/We can do

These three expressions involve the Head/Knowledge, the Heart/Motivation and the Hands/Doing.
These involve:

1. Consciousness raising

2. Conscience deepening

3. Confidence building
   

There are five phases in this formation:

1. spirituality of Justice – Why? – Study of Scripture and Social Teaching of the Church

2. examination of the possible Research Methods

3. a thorough understanding of the Social Analysis – the way of the Why

4. movement towards Action – what you do about it

5. an evaluation of the outcome

The big question is how are these processes being brought into our formation programmes?

Consciousness Raising

• we are taught to pray – are we taught how to read the newspapers?

• process of Reflection on experiences

• there is a need to be able to raise the deeper questions

Conscience Deepening

• can be dualistic – material and spiritual

• formation programmes are rich in scripture – are they rich in the Social teaching of the Church

Confidence Building

• What skills, not just as individuals, but as corporate entities do we offer?

• Building up a corporate entity that fights for Justice and peace an important part of the skills that we can offer.