Five Lessons to Learn from the African Church

Friends, the Church in Africa is on fire for the faith. The number of laity attending weekly Mass in Nigeria, for example, is upwards of 94 percent. This week on the Word on Fire Show, we discuss five things Catholics in the West can learn from the African Church.

A listener asks how best to observe the Sabbath as a whole family.

00:00 | Intro
01:50 | DOWR Chancery dedication
03:00 | The African church as a robust exemplar
05:35 | Does Africa’s numerical strength translate to ecclesial strength?
07:12 | Lesson 1: Primacy of the supernatural
10:56 | Lesson 2: Hold fast to theological orthodoxy
12:08 | How the Church engages cultures
16:13 | Lesson 3: Commitment to evangelize the culture
17:49 | The rhythm between “hunkering down” and “diving in”
19:50 | Lesson 4: Praise in public, criticize in private
23:13 | Lesson 5: Courage in the face of opposition
25:19 | Counter-claims for Africa’s religious success
28:49 | Listener question
31:28 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

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[winwilson]

As a south African Catholic I feel we owe a huge debt to the wonderful holy men and women who came from Germany and Ireland to bring us their faith. Now it is our turn to send wonderful african priests and nuns to Europe and Ireland. We have already started....its like the light of Christ being passed back to europe.

[pothecary]

I must say, as a South African Catholic, it's common to have people sitting on chairs outside during mass because there just isn't enough space - even in BIG spaces. God Bless Africa - Ave Maria!

[henrylimnyuy]

Be not discourage Bishop. Your messages is teaching us in Africa. I share all of your homilies in my choir group. Much love from Cameroon

[mcgarry]

Bishop Barron, you should have one of your fellow Bishops from Africa on the show. Lets hear it from them. May God Bless you Bishop. Thank you for what you do.

[okpesarah]

As a Nigerian, I’d say that it’s a fallout of our culture primarily; our culture is built around communalism and respect for each other, especially older people; additionally, the average Nigerian knows that GOD is the ultimate so no matter how much we sway away… we will always find our way back. Plus.. the economy isn’t helping so it’s either you hold on to God or you hold on to God 😅 I love my country 🇳🇬 ❤

[deewafaustina]

As a Kenyan living in Canada, I am moved almost to tears to see commitment in the attendance of masses especially Sunday mass when I go home. Masses last at least 2h and people are not in a hurry to leave as services are very colourful with a lot of singing with everyone participating with clapping or dancing. Any of the discussed factors could contribute to the large numbers including poverty but the love for God and neighbor sustains it and a lot of unity between brethren. It would be sad to see that lost by too much westernization so my prayer is that God preserve that for His own glory.

[eternalperspectiveofficial]

As a Nigerian Catholic "You're from Holy Nigeria" is beautiful to hear Bishop Barron. The Irish missionary priests built the first churches in my community and the school I attended. I will forever be grateful to Rev. Fr. Hunter. It's good the hear foreigners say something good about Nigeria and the African church 🙏

[rachaelgichimu]

I am a Kenyan living in Kenya. I view faith in different continents as burning candles. As long as some are lit, those put off can be rekindle.

[whateverthejourneykeepwalk]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 God is great l am Nigerian catholic

[TwoDaughtersSeaSalt]

No disrespect to our American priests, but these priest from Africa at my church are overflowing with the spirit. So much to learn from them!

[therdchief]

We have many great Christians in Nigeria! God is doing something great in Africa. We will witness a new wave of theologians in Nigeria who are alive in the faith.

God bless all.

[tapestry]

I live in Texas and our assistant pastor is from Nigeria. A wonderful confessor. He came to our home to give us the Sacrament of the Sick, Penance and Holy Eucharist. He is a very holy man.

[anny]

In my country, if you dont arrive at the Church at least 30 minutes before the mass, you will not get a seat😂😂😂. Proudly African. We have at least three masses every Sunday and the Churches are always packed❤❤❤

[anajessicacajingue]

In my community we have two packed Masses on Sunday. We don’t have enough churches. Sometimes mass is celebrated under trees. We don’t always have the privilege to be able to attend mass everyday. The Church here plays a big role in education and health care.

Greetings from Mozambique

[poppymore]

I'm Poppy from Cape Town. Our parish is packed on tge 3 Mass celebrated on Sunday where we are in the process to build another parsh to accommodate us.
I love being catholic

[kristenswensen]

I am not Roman Catholic but have observed for years that the entire world needs an African Pope.

[tsl]

I must just pause and agree about the Primacy of the Supernatural. This is the key. This is what led to my salvation. There actually _is_ a God, an external being, and this being loves you. And want to be with you. Its just about saying yes to that love. :)

[godstrong]

We are blessed to have 2 priests from Nigeria at our small parishs in Manitoba Canada. We have dwindling numbers and many seniors however that does not stop them from giving practical honest homilies! I attended a funeral this week, a young women who had spinal bifida and was in a wheel chair all her young life. She was a pillar of the community and loved Jesus. Father James spoke about that love and how we all need to come to mass, practice our faith because in the end we all are going to die! Thank you! God bless, Godstrong!

[timothyodonnell]

Dr. Petrusek - Since you became the host of this program, I have been very impressed by your skill in asking good questions. Asking relevant / probing questions that elicit interesting and informative responses is not easy, and you do it well. Thank you for being an excellent "set up" man for Bishop Barron!

[SnkrhD]

This is bringing tears to my eyes. The Catholic Church has been in Africa since the book of Acts. I’m glad to see that the faith over there is still strong!