Catholic Professionals as the ‘needed’ leaven in uncertain times

Guide for discussion

Pope St. Paul VI writing in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, says “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than he does to teachers and if he listens to teachers , it’s because they are witnesses”. This is urgent than ever for Catholic Professionals in Africa today.

This quote from Evangelii Nuntiandi is not original to the Apostolic Exhortation. It is actually taken from a Wednesday Audience of Paul VI on October 2, 1974. The Pope points out “two fundamental aspects of the apostolate of the laity” that he believed “were fading” (as of 1974) within Christians: “the importance of personal witness” and “the unity of the various witnesses of the Gospel among themselves and with their bishops”.

Soon after listing these two aspects , the Holy Father provides the famous words later found in Evangelii Nuntiandi 41. Interestingly , the French word  maîtres is used in this quote , and is translated into English as “teachers.” However , it could also mean “leaders” or “masters.” From this view point , it incorporates a large number of the members of the Body of Christ , who definitely include professionals. Pope Paul VI then explains that contemporary man feels “an instinctive repulsion for all that may appear [as] mystification, façade , compromise. In such a context , we understand the importance of a life that really resonates with the Gospel!”

It would appear that the Holy Father stresses the importance of authenticity above all else. Man’s desire for knowledge and mastery over the material world contributes to this desire for authenticity. There exists in the human person a paradoxical reality – the material pursuit and spiritual hunger. Man has an inner desire for solitude , to be alone with God. 

Professionals in our times are faced with a crisis, which at its core and heart is faith. For ICMICA-Pax Romana the following issues are critical , if we hope to renew and grow this movement :

1. The delimitation of faith . Are professionals really aware of what the faith entails ? We recite the Creed at every celebration , but are we sincerely clear of the demands and expectations of each article?
2. A good number of Catholic professionals are in positions of authority in government , civic society , private companies and elsewhere. We grapple with corruption , tenderpreneurship , destructive practices which strip persons of their dignity , anti-life practices and other such vices in such spaces. How do we form the conscience?
3. Ecclesia in Africa speaks about the domestic Church , the family which make us the Family of God. But what has been our response ? Directing people to lecture halls to learn theology – was it like this in the Acts of the Apostles ? NO. How do we make our homes , our SCCs , communities , places of encounter with God ?

Africae Munus is quite vocal on peace , reconciliation and justice . We have many wars – most now forgotten : Cabo Delgado in Mozambique,  Sudan , DRC , CAR , Mali . We also in the throes of a debilitating extraction of natural resources by Chinese firms in countries like Zimbabwe , economic disparities in places like South Africa , closed spaces of expression in countries like Uganda .

• Why are we not following up on the practical and home-grown propositions from the Magisterium ?
• Are we ‘leaven’ enough ?