The Gospel as Politics in Africa

Abstract

The reality of political violence in Africa poses a major theological challenge. There is no more pressing challenge for New Evangelization (NE) in Africa than the search for a different, nonviolent basis for social existence in Africa. The essay argues that for NE to meet this challenge it will have to move beyond the trap of “culture” and engage more explicitly the political vision of the gospel. The story of Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko’s life and work exemplifies what this concretely looks like. Accordingly Kataliko’s story confirms that, pursued under the aegis of reconciliation, NE cannot but become deeply political in that it seeks nothing short of a new vision of society in Africa grounded in the story of God’s nonviolent and reconciling love.