The Lay Dominicans Fraternity, province of St Joseph the Worker (Nigeria & Ghana), on Thursday held her second provincial elective chapter.
The event which lasted for four days was held at Dominican Community Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State, with the theme “Theology of the Laity and Social Engagements”.
The distinguished guest speakers were Fr. Prof Anthony A. Akinwale, OP, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, LT Col Cyril Alozieuwa (rtd) OP, His Excellency, Sen Adedamola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, while the hosts were His Grace Most Rev Gabriel Abegunri, Archbishop Archdioceses of Ibadan and Very Rev Fr Mdestus Ngwu, OP Prior Provincial Province of St Joseph the worker.
Lay Dominicans Fraternity is an initiative that came from the Order of Preachers to bring together lay people who are associated with the vision and mission of the order.
The idea is to bring everyone together to participate in the preaching mission of the Dominican order, which is the preaching of Christ to enable the lay people to bear witness to the gospel of Christ wherever they find themselves.
In his lecture, titled “The spirituality of lay Dominicans and positive social transformation,” Fr. Prof Anthony A. Akinwale, OP, disclosed that the mission of the laity would be incomprehensible without a spirituality, that is, without a way of relating with and manifesting the presence of God within us, in the Church, and in the world.
According to him, as the Prophets bear witness to the word of God, the lay faithful fulfil the prophetic office of Christ by bearing witness to the values of the Gospel “in the daily family and social life”
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The spirituality of lay Dominicans and positive social transformation by Fr Anthony A. Akinwale, OP- https://www.ceoafrica.com/newsdetails.php?tabnews=95587
In his interview, Akinwale, while relating theology and political engagements said “theology concerns itself with the love of God, while politics concerns the way we relate with human beings.
He noted that the way we relate with each other is a reflection with the way we relate with God. If we relate well with each other, it is a sign that we are relating well with God”.
- stated that bearing witness to God as this is a way of fighting corruption in the society.
Also, the Archbishop Archdioceses of Ibadan, His Grace Most Rev Gabriel Abegunri, whose goodwill message was delivered by Fr Felix Ethapeme urge the Fraternity to always be a good example of God.
“As lay Dominican, educated in the doctrine, you are supposed to be the light out there. Always be a good example and live the life of emulation,” Ethapeme said.
On his part, the executive governor of Osun state, His Excellency, Sen Adedamola Adeleke, who was represented by the Hon Ajegbe Olusoji, the Honuourable commissioner of government affairs and protocol applauded the organisers of the programme and call for more of it. He noted that the programme gave more insight of what God is telling us to do to humanity and the society at large.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo which was represented by Rev Fr Francis Chiadi, OP, Provincial Promoter, Dominica family stated that theology is not only for the clergy. According to him, theology is for all Christians, urging everyone to always represent God in all they do.
Linking theology and social engagement, Fr Chiadi in an interview with CEOAFRICA explained that while theology one with the principles, in the social engagement, these principles are applied.
According to him, four basic principles in the catholic teaching are; (i) the principle of inherent human diginity, (ii)the principle of common good, (iii) the principle of subsidiarity and solidarity and (iv) the auxiliary principle of the preferential option for the poor. He disclosed that with the above principles, any person who is formed can go to society and engage in a truthful way.
Similarly, the Lay Dominicans Fraternity President, Prof. E. Adenike Emeke, OP while chatting with CEOAFRICA, affirmed that theology and social engagement work by using the things we know about God to engage the society we live in.
