Pentecostalism and Catholic Ecumenism In Developing Nations: West Africa as a Case Study for a Global Phenomenon

Through fieldwork research this book seeks to explore Catholic ecumenism and the proliferation of Pentecostalism. Using data gathered from four West African countries it additionally endeavors to investigate the sociopolitical impact of Pentecostalism which is growing exponentially and is seen by many as the new face and phase of Christianity on the continent. This book puts a search light on the reality of West African Pentecostalism and its relationship with the older Christian traditions. It cogently asks if Pentecostalism is a cog in the wheels of the fragile ecumenical work among West African Christianity and wonders about its impact on the poor existing social economic and political situations common to most West African politics and governments. This book is for professionals and students of religion and theology and is useful for the casual reader. In this book John Odeyemi examines West African Pentecostalism. He acknowledges that with its phenomenal growth over the last decades it could well be the future face of African Christianity but for him this is distressing news. West African Pentecostalisms lack of a coherent ecclesiology but especially its preoccupation with health and wealth doctrines troubles him deeply. If West African Pentecostalism does not reach out ecumenically commit itself to social justice issues and connect itself more fully with the history of Christianity it will not be able to sustain itself in the long run. --Steven Bevans SVD Catholic Theological Union Utilizing extensive research and valuable first-hand experience Odeyemi critically examines the intersection of modern ecumenism and the increasing influence of Pentecostalism in West Africa. His systematic approach probes whether popular Pentecostal movements are capable of or even desire a healthy dialogic ecumenical relationship with other Christian churches. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit Christianity is by nature Pentecostal; however this book provocatively questions if Pentecotistes nouvelle generation Odeyemis term for the newest generation Pentecostals hinder or help spread the gospel message of justice and peace in emerging African countries. --Joyce Konigsburg Notre Dame of Maryland University Ecumenism and Pentecostalism offers an approach to important questions at the intersection of pneumatology liberation and ecumenism. Odeyemi incisively rethinks a theological foundation for a truly African ecumenism that substantively considers the implications of West African Pentecostalism. In the face of many challenges to human dignity Odeyemi reminds his readers that the project of Christian unity has an integral role to play in the task of liberation. --Rufus Burnett Jr. Fordham University John Segun Odeyemi is an ordained Catholic priest from the diocese of Ilorin Nigeria. He holds a doctorate in systematic theology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He is currently a parochial vicar at Epiphany Church in downtown Pittsburgh. He is an independent scholar as well as a visiting research fellow at the Dominican University in Samonda Ibadan Nigeria. He is closely associated with the department of theology at Duquesne University. This is his fifth published book.