Des expériences pastorales en Afrique nous ont amené à constater qu’en plus du questionnement de certains prêtres sur leur identité, des plaintes récurrentes contre eux sont soulevées au sein de la société en rapport avec la mauvaise gestion des biens temporels de l’Église, l’esprit carriériste, le problème du tribalisme, la question des mœurs, l’oubli de la prière et l’abus de pouvoir. La question de l’identité sacerdotale, le problème de formation des candidats au sacerdoce ministériel et la mise en question de leur manière de collaborer aux réalités traditionnelles et de vivre leur immersion dans leurs communautés ont des répercussions sur le langage adapté pour véhiculer le message chrétien parmi les cultures et peuples africains de nos jours. Toutes ces questions mènent à un problème général : l’enjeu du modèle christologique. Le modèle proposé vient de Rome et met en valeur la culture européenne ; une fois transposé en Afrique, on constate un déphasage, ce qui justifie la problématique. Pour trouver une solution à la problématique du modèle christologique, il nous faudrait élaborer un modèle toujours christologique, mais qui soit en phase avec les réalités du contexte culturel africain. L’intérêt consiste à examiner les comportements des prêtres africains eux-mêmes et l’équilibre de leur ministère, à revoir leurs programmes et leurs structures dans les maisons de formation, dans le but de former des prêtres qui vivront leur ministère en harmonie avec les réalités culturelles africaines pour encourager la bonne collaboration entre les prêtres africains et leurs communautés. Les communautés ecclésiales de base trouveront dorénavant des prêtres africains qui sont bien intégrés dans leur culture. Dans le cadre de la discipline de la théologie, notre étude présente un nouveau concept ou modèle : la christologie du témoignage. Dans le contexte culturel d’Afrique, nous avons besoin d’une initiation christocentrique pour les prêtres africains et d’une théopraxis, en vue d’une nouvelle évangélisation en Afrique. Nous mettons en valeur des communautés africaines en présentant l’expérience d’immersion de J.-M. Ela et J.-A. Malula. L’exemplarité de leurs apprentissages auprès des peuples kirdi et kinois devient pertinente et s’avère même un modèle d’imitation du Christ en vue d’une christologie du témoignage pour les prêtres africains. / Our pastoral experiences in Africa have led us to observe that in addition to some priests questioning their identity, repeated complaints against them are raised within society regarding the mismanagement of the Church’s temporal goods, the careerist spirit, the tribalism problem, the morality issue, the forgetfulness of prayer and the abuse of power. The priestly identity question, the problem of the priesthood candidates’ formation and the way they interact with traditional realities and live their immersion in their communities affect the language adapted to convey the Christian message among African cultures and peoples today. All these questions lead to a general problem: the issue of the Christological model. The proposed model comes from Rome, and values the European culture; when transposed to Africa, it becomes apparent that there is a lack of relevance, which justifies the issue. In order to address the Christological model question, we would need to develop a model that is still Christological, but one that respects the African cultural context. The interest lies in examining how African priests themselves behave and balance their ministry, in reviewing the programs and structures offered in the houses of formation, in order to prepare priests who will live their ministry in phase with the African cultural realities and to encourage a good collaboration between African priests and their communities. The base ecclesial communities will then have well integrated African priests. Within the theological field framework, our study introduces a new concept or model: the Christology of witness. In Africa’s cultural context, we need a Christocentric initiation for African priests and a theopraxis allowing for a new evangelization of Africa. We showcase some African communities by presenting the immersion experience of J.-M. Ela and J.-A. Malula. The exemplarity of their learnings among the Kirdi and Kinshasa peoples becomes relevant, and even proves to be a model of imitation of Christ in order to develop a Christology of witness for African priests.

[pt] A presente dissertação, a partir da análise exegética de Nm 18,1-7, estuda as funções e os serviços cultuais desempenhados pelos sacerdotes e levitas, particularmente os coatitas. Tendo em vista que, nas últimas quatro décadas, não há muitos trabalhos desenvolvidos sobre o livro de Números, em particular sobre Nm 18,1-7, acredita-se que a presente pesquisa traz uma modesta contribuição. Fazer a análise exegética do texto, foi o principal objetivo, permitindo investigar o papel de Aarão e de seus filhos (sacerdotes) no exercício de suas funções na Tenda da Reunião, sendo auxiliados pelos levitas, a fim de preservar a santidade da comunidade de Israel e assim, evitar a morte de seus membros. Com isso, percebe-se que Nm 18,1-7 confirma a importância da corrente sacerdotal na redação final do livro de Números. Apesar de conter materiais não sacerdotais, esse livro realça e atesta a atuação fundamental dos sacerdotes e dos levitas em favor de Israel. O método histórico-crítico foi utilizado como ferramenta indispensável, para se chegar a uma compreensão mais profunda e aprimorada de Nm 18,1-7. Observa-se que a seção possui uma introdução e sete subseções, que formam um quiasmo, dado corroborado pelos elementos sintáticos e semânticos que a compõem. Aarão é personagem central e destinatário direto da palavra de YHWH. Ao se classificar Nm 18,1-7 como torá sacerdotal, atesta-se a sacralidade do culto e do serviço dos sacerdotes e levitas, pelos quais Israel pode ser preservado de conflitos e de sofrer danos mortais (cf. Nm 16–17). / [en] The present dissertation, based on an exegetical analysis of Nm 18,1-7, studies the functions and cultic services performed by the priests and Levites, particularly the Kohathites. Given that, over the past four decades, there has not been much work on the book of Numbers, in particular on Nm 18,1-7, it is believed that this research makes a modest contribution. An exegetical analysis of the text was the main objective, investigating the role of Aaron and his sons (priests) in the exercise of their functions in the Tent of Meeting, being assisted by the Levites, in order to preserve the holiness of the community of Israel thereby preventing the death of its members. Hence, it is clear that Nm 18,1-7 confirms the importance of the priestly current in the final writing of the book of Numbers. Despite of containing non-priestly materials, this book highlights and attests to the fundamental role of priests and Levites in favor of Israel. The historical-critical method was used as an indispensable tool to reach a deeper and better understanding of Nm 18,1-7. It is observed that the section has an introduction and seven subsections, which form a chiasm, corroborated by the syntactic and semantic elements that compose it. Aaron is the central character and direct recipient of YHWH s word. By classifying Nm 18,1-7 as a priestly torah, one attests to the sacredness of the worship and of the service of priests and Levites, whereby Israel can be preserved from conflict and mortal damage (cf. Nm 16–17).

[pt] A realidade atual exige dos educadores da fé novos passos em busca de uma renovação catequética, que requer anunciadores convertidos e bem preparados. A Iniciação à Vida Cristã com inspiração catecumenal se apresenta como uma boa proposta para a transmissão da fé no mundo atual. Os presbíteros, enquanto colaboradores do ministério Episcopal, são os primeiros educadores da fé de uma comunidade, sobretudo pela missão que desempenham. A presente pesquisa tem como objeto material a dimensão catequética na formação dos futuros presbíteros. Do ponto de vista formal, nosso objetivo será analisar como tem sido realizado a formação catequética dos seminaristas, principalmente na perspectiva do paradigma da Iniciação à Vida Cristã e a partir da reflexão do Magistério da Igreja, nos documentos publicados a partir do Concílio Vaticano II sobre a formação presbiteral. Assim, o escopo do presente trabalho visa explicitar a importância da catequese no processo formativo dos candidatos ao ministério presbiteral, tendo em vista o desenvolvimento da missão dos futuros presbíteros. Para tanto, abordaremos a realidade na qual o contexto da formação presbiteral se realiza, considerando os desafios que interpelam a missão dos futuros presbíteros, no intuito de estabelecermos uma nova configuração para sua atuação diante do paradigma da catequese a serviço da Iniciação à Vida Cristã: formadora de discípulos missionários em comunidade. / [en] Today s reality demands that educators of the faith take new steps in search of catechetical renewal, which requires converted and well-prepared proclaimers. Initiation into Christian Life with catechumenal inspiration is a good proposal for transmitting the faith in today s world. Priests, as collaborators in the Episcopal ministry, are the first educators of the faith in a community, above all because of the mission they carry out. The material object of this research is the catechetical dimension in the formation of future priests. From a formal point of view, our objective will be to analyze how the catechetical formation of seminarians has been carried out, mainly from the perspective of the paradigm of Initiation into Christian Life and from the reflection of the Magisterium of the Church, in the documents published since the Second Vatican Council on priestly formation. Thus, the scope of this work is to explain the importance of catechesis in the formation process of candidates for priestly ministry, with a view to developing the mission of future priests. To this end, we will address the reality in which the context of priestly formation takes place, considering the challenges that challenge the mission of future priests, in order to establish a new configuration for their performance in the face of the paradigm of catechesis at the service of Initiation into Christian Life: forming missionary disciples in community.

The story of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11: 1-9) has been interpreted in various ways down through the centuries. However, most commentators have ignored the genre of the text, and have not sought to interpret it within its mythological framework - therefore most interpretations are nothing short of babble. A working text is ascertained, and the complexity of the text investigated. The text is then identified as 'myth': within its mythological framework the tower is seen as a temple linking heaven and earth, ensuring the continuation of the royal dynasty (i e 'making a name'). When used by the Yahwist Levites during the Babylonian Exile, our story was inserted in the great Pre-History as polemic against the Babylonian concept of creation, temple, and dynasty; and served as both a warning and an encouragement to the Exiles. The post-exilic Priestly Writer re-interpreted our story as a warning to the returning exiles that their society, and their temple, should be reconstructed as YHWH determines. Interpreting the story as myth enables it, finally, to speak clearly into our context today, especially that of South Africa. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Th. (Old Testament)

This study attempts to offer an ecological interpretation of Genesis 1: 1-2:4a in view of the question as to what extent this passage bears footprints of anthropocentrism, on the one hand, and/or ecological wisdom, on the other hand. Extant ecological readings of this text tend to either recover its ecofriendliness, or they criticise the text on the basis of its dominion and subdual language in Genesis 1:26-28 which seems to go against the grain of ecological sensibilities. In resonance with revisionist readings, this study shows that the only way to mollify the dominion language of Genesis I :26-28 is to read this section as part of the whole Priestly creation account. Elements of the exilic context and many literary features of Genesis I: l-2:4a present humans as a member of a world of interdependences. Hence, accusing Genesis I: l-2:4a of lying at the root of modern indifference towards nature, is not the whole story. / Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M. A. (Biblical Studies)

The story of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11: 1-9) has been interpreted in various ways down through the centuries. However, most commentators have ignored the genre of the text, and have not sought to interpret it within its mythological framework - therefore most interpretations are nothing short of babble. A working text is ascertained, and the complexity of the text investigated. The text is then identified as 'myth': within its mythological framework the tower is seen as a temple linking heaven and earth, ensuring the continuation of the royal dynasty (i e 'making a name'). When used by the Yahwist Levites during the Babylonian Exile, our story was inserted in the great Pre-History as polemic against the Babylonian concept of creation, temple, and dynasty; and served as both a warning and an encouragement to the Exiles. The post-exilic Priestly Writer re-interpreted our story as a warning to the returning exiles that their society, and their temple, should be reconstructed as YHWH determines. Interpreting the story as myth enables it, finally, to speak clearly into our context today, especially that of South Africa. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Th. (Old Testament)

This study attempts to offer an ecological interpretation of Genesis 1: 1-2:4a in view of the question as to what extent this passage bears footprints of anthropocentrism, on the one hand, and/or ecological wisdom, on the other hand. Extant ecological readings of this text tend to either recover its ecofriendliness, or they criticise the text on the basis of its dominion and subdual language in Genesis 1:26-28 which seems to go against the grain of ecological sensibilities. In resonance with revisionist readings, this study shows that the only way to mollify the dominion language of Genesis I :26-28 is to read this section as part of the whole Priestly creation account. Elements of the exilic context and many literary features of Genesis I: l-2:4a present humans as a member of a world of interdependences. Hence, accusing Genesis I: l-2:4a of lying at the root of modern indifference towards nature, is not the whole story. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M. A. (Biblical Studies)

No description available.

本研究はテキストと人物像の特徴に注目し、「再活性化運動」のモデルを観点としてエゼキエル解釈を行なった。再活性化運動とは文化の特殊な変化現象であり、「預言者」の体験や活動が核となる。この観点に従えば、エゼキエル書とは捕囚に直面した祭司エゼキエルが預言者の機能を通してその祭司的課題を実現し、祭司的文化ゲシュタルトの新たな創出、換言すれば自らの治癒がもたらされたプロセスを記すものとして理解される。 / In this study, I took notice to the unique characteristics of the text and personality of Ezekiel, and interpreted it from the point of view of "Revitalization Movement." Revitalization Movement is a special kind of cultural change phenomenon and the experience and activity of the "Prophet" plays the crucial role there. From this point of view, the Book of Ezekiel is interpreted as the performance of Priestly tasks against the Exile through the functions of the Prophet and as the process of the creation of the new priestly cultural Gestalt, or giving Ezekiel healing. / 博士(神学) / Doctor of Theology / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

The Old Testament, which is one of the first books in the Malagasy language, plays an important role in the religious and cultural life of most people in Madagascar, for instance in an increasing tendency to use Old Testament texts in Malagasy religious contexts, which is noticeable both within and outside mainstream Christianity. The first such case illustrating this trend within the Church is the Malagasy Roman Catholic Church's (MRCC's) application of certain texts in the famadihana (turning of the dead), a custom reflecting traditional Malagasy practices in their strongest form. Almost all the Malagasy churches from their beginning have unsuccessfully attempted to abolish it. Therefore, the MRCC decided to base it on biblical texts and incorporated it in her liturgy in order to make it a Christian celebration. Among the texts used here are: Genesis 49: 33-50: 13; Exodus 13: 19 and Exodus 20: 12. The second case is the Malagasy Lutheran Church's (MLC's) employment of Old Testament texts to create certain items for Nenilava (Tall mother), the founder of the revival movement of Ankaramalaza, who was acknowledged by this Church and the members of this movement as a prophetess and priestess. To demonstrate these roles, and at the same time to confirm her consecration, the MLC and the `children of Ankaramalaza' made for her a priestly robe modelled on the high priest's garments described in Exodus 28 and a silver crown related to Deuteronomy 28. The use of the Old Testament outside the Church is illustrated by the third case, investigating traditio-practitioners' applications of Old Testament texts in their religious practices. Examples include: 1) Exodus 3:1-3; Leviticus 14: 1-8; Jeremiah 8: 22, used in traditional healing; 2) Exodus 3: 5b; Job 33: 6a; Psalm 121: 8a, employed as religious slogans; 3) Leviticus 1-6, applied in traditional sacrifices and offerings; and 4) Psalm 113: 5-6; Genesis 2: 18, 22, employed as references for morality. This project, which describes and analyses how and why the Old Testament is used by different people, Christian and traditionalist, in Malagasy religious contexts, is aimed at developing an interpretive model based on these three cases. More specifically, it seeks to show how the Old Testament can be interpreted and used in contemporary Madagascar/Africa. / Biblical and Ancient studies / D. Th (Old Testament)