Inculturation in Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches in Igboland, 1857 to 1960

Abstract

The Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches have stayed for more than a century, yet the gospel had not taken root in Igboland. These churches were selected for this study owing to the fact that they were the foremost churches that evangelized Igboland. The legacies laid by the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) and Church Missionary Society (CMS) on inculturation have created problem for the present churches and other denominations. This problem is the negative attitude of these churches to inculturation. The work examined the negative attitude of the RCM and CMS to inculturation and proffered solution to the problem for the gospel to be more relevant for the people. This work used primary source like observation and secondary sources which included books, Internet materials and newspapers. It used historical approach. The data collected were described and analyzed. It was discovered that the RCM and CMS’ nonchalant attitude to inculturation had deprived the people the opportunity of receiving the gospel that was more relevant to their situations and context. It was discovered that the negative attitudes of the RCM and CMS on inculturation are still affecting the contemporary Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. The work recommended that the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches should expedite action in employing inculturation as a strategy for evangelization in Igboland which would make the gospel to adapt to their situations and cultural context.