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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Theology
Notes
- Abstract:
- “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me; go therefore make disciples of all nations…..” (Mt.28:19) was the command of Jesus to the disciples and to the Church at large. This command was taken seriously by all the disciples down through the ages and succeeded to certain extent in creating Christian communities and increasing the numbers of the faithful. Many even sacrificed their lives in the process of missionary evangelization. However this “Great Commission” must be coupled with another strong ecclesial tradition of “witnessing”: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” (Mt. 5:13-16). Today we have to honestly admit that this ‘witnessing’ aspect of the proclamation of the Gospel is very much lacking in our missionary efforts. In this thesis-project the author gives a “thick description” of the pastoral efforts of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (Fransalians) in Andhra Pradesh (AP), India and critically evaluates the current missionary activities, “in proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom” to the majority of Christians, who are Dalits, belonging to the lowest of the Social stratification. In this process the author makes a historical development of the “Dalit Theology”, an emerging theological discipline in India and makes use of its insights to construct a ‘practical theology’ of pastoral ministry of the Fransalians. Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God was a central aspect of his public ministry; inviting the sinners and tax collectors to participate in his table fellowship. The author discusses this theme of the “Kingdom of God” at length and applies the implications of the “Kingdom of God” to the Pastoral Ministry of the Fransalians in Andhra Pradesh. The author also discusses various Ecclesiological and Missiological paradigms to propose some constructive, strategic Pastoral ministerial methods which are a necessary process in the life and dignity of Dalits in AP. If the goal of the Church’s mission is building up of the Kingdom of God, the community of the Kingdom of God is built up by the liberation and empowerment of the poor and the marginalized, leading to a society of equals in which people love and serve each other. Today we have to realize that the empowerment of the poor has to be operative at various levels: economic and political, social and cultural, personal and spiritual. Therefore the author makes reference to some bold and innovative means to bring the Good News of the Resurrection of Christ to reconcile, heal and liberate the poor masses oppressed by the various social, political and religious oppressive elements and help them to find their rightful place in the Kingdom of God. In this process we hope that the evangelizers also become the ‘peacemakers…for they shall be called the children of God.’ Pope Paul VI rightly said, “If you want Peace you must work for Justice.” Peace and Justice are the Judeo-Christian values that continue to dominate the ethics and morals of the world. It is in this contextual reality of the need for a just society based on the values of peace, fellowship and love the missionaries are called to commit themselves to the mission of Christ in the world. “How beautiful are the feet of those bring the Good News”!!! (Is. 52:7)
- Thesis:
- Thesis (D.Min.)--Barry University, 2010.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-147).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Ananda Prasad Maddineni. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- BV3280.A6 M33 2010_MaddineniAnanda ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- BV3280.A6 M33 2010 ( lcc )
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