Abstract:

How can we explain Jesus’ Death as a seal of God’s Love in the context of the Sacrificial Goat and Blood Pact Cultural Practices of the Sukuma People of Tanzania? The study explores the dual loyalty of the Sukuma, particularly: 1) how they understand and interpret Jesus’ death in the context of the sacrificial goat and blood pact; and 2) how they understand Jesus’ death as God’s seal of love. Studying their culture in the light of their Christian faith, the struggle is in how to become authentic Christians and Sukuma simultaneously. It is important to study the wisdom and the seed of truth in the respective cultures, re-thinking faith and re-evangelization. These two practices, sacrificial goat and blood pact, shall be cultural resources for re-evangelization among the Sukuma (together with the gospel). The researcher proposes the Pauline Model of Evangelization as a way forward: an inculturated dialogical catechesis through the Small Christian Communities.

Final Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Jojo Fung, S.J., Ph.D. (Principal Examiner), Fr. Hartono Budi, S.J., Th.D. (Adviser), and Sr. Auria Arabit, S.d.P., Ph.D.

Proposal Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Hartono Budi, S.J., Th.D. (Adviser), Fr. Jojo Fung, S.J., Ph.D., and Dr. Joaquin Yap, Jr., S.W.