Prophetic Dialogue: Ecclesiology for a Vital Church

Abstract

The Catholic church is a community of faith, and an agency of social transformation for a distressed African continent. Many Africans look up to the church for renewal and direction in their quest for integral development and cosmic flourishing. This expectation is gradually weaning in the face of the multidimensional challenges that weigh on Africa. Particularly, the impoverished social order and dysfunctional political systems deprive Africans of dignified lives and sustainable development. This article builds on prophetic dialogue as an ecclesiological paradigm for local churches in engaging the African social context in a manner that inspires social transformation. Grounded on prophetic dialogue, the article proposes pathways of local churches in addressing the concrete social issues and concerns of the people in their locality. These include social discernment, social palaver, and self-emptying. Drawing insights from the teachings of Pope Francis, the essay argues that these pathways offer credible and effective channels for a transformative encounter between the Catholic Church and African society.