Peoples, Beliefs, Cultures, and Justice in Afro-Catholicism: Ikpu-ala and Igbo Church

About the Book

This book explores in depth Ikpu-ala as a social justice value in the Igbo social justice system. The traditional social justice concept of ikpu-ala provides an important conceptual framework through which adult Igbo Christians can engage in a critical and conscious theological reflections upon how they can make the Igbo Christian community fully authentic and faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a process that will highlight the total transformation of the Igbo society, which began with the arrival of the missionaries in 1885. This reflection is based on the Igbo experience and understanding of Omenala, the Igbo moral code, in which the world of the material and the spiritual, while occupying distinct domains, nonetheless remain deeply intertwined. In this book, the author explores that for the Igbo community, the reality of theology has evolved as a distinct from of experience that is deeply connected with tradition for the sake of praxis (Don Browning, 1995). Consequently, the author not only sees Ikpu-ala as authentic Igbo social justice value but also considers it as something that can be integrated into the Christian social values without either destroying Igbo’s longstanding cultures or traditions. The author highlights two key lessons from the Igbo integration of ikpu-ala into Christian social justice: (1) that the Igbo Catholic Church should engage the Igbo culture and traditions in a theological interactive reflections for the incarnation of the Word among the Igbo Catholics, and (2) that Ikpu-ala, with its theological values, can assist the Igbo Catholic Church in the sacrament of reconciliation and so transform the twenty- first century Igbo Catholic into an integrated and authentic Christian.

About the Author

Okey Jude Uche is a Catholic priest and member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers. He holds M.A. degree in Religious Education/Theology, from Missionary Institute, London. He also holds Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Imo State University, Nigeria. He is a Board certified Chaplain and holds certificates in Palliative Chaplaincy Specialty (CSU Institute of Palliative Care) and in Aging and Spirituality (NTSWEST). He holds Ph.D. in Theology from South African Theological Seminary, Johannesburg, South Africa. As an experienced missionary and living among many ethnic groups and nationalities, his work among the poor and most neglected brought him face to face with the challenges of human struggles for justice, tolerance, equality, and respect in any society as ours. His first book, Church and Justice in Igbo Society shows his concerns for ethical justice value in the present day Igbo society. He has always been preoccupied with justice and peace and promotes authentic Christian living.