The need for young priests and Seminarians to deepen their study on philosophy was the focus of lectures delivered at the Fourteenth Memorial lecture of Pope John Paul the Second.
The event was held at Pope John Paul the Second Major Seminary, Okpuno, Awka South Council Area.
The event was held to mark the fourteenth year anniversary of the death of Saint John Paul the Second.
This year’s memorial lecture has its theme as “African Conception of Man and Challenges of Insecurity in Contemporary Africa.”
In a key note presentation, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese and Pro-Chancellor of ESUT, Enugu, Most Reverend Professor Godfrey Onah, stated that whatever any African Philosopher has said, thought or written about human beings should be regarded as perspective that is grown from his African experience and culture on appropriation and internalization of African culture, and not necessarily the representation of Africans and what they meant about human beings.
He called on the seminarians to take the study of philosophy serious.
The Rector of the Seminary, Reverend Father Dr. Benjamin Ewelu in his charge listed various challenges of insecurity in Africa noting that African conception of man is good but should be christianized, urging the Seminarians not to joke with the opportunity they have.
One of the lead presenters, Mr. Michael Ozuma, said the present condition of Africa began years back through the discovery of Atlantic slave trade by the Europeans which resulted to complete erosion of Africa culture, leading Africa to ideological conflicts which adversely affected African philosophy.
In their remarks, the Academic Dean of Philosophy and the chairman, Planning Committee, Reverend Father Dr John Ekei and the chairman on the occasion, Dr Charles Nweke, charged the Seminarians to toe the path of the late philosopher, Pope John Paul the Second their Patron Saint.
A Seminarian, Solomon Ezekwueme, said he has learnt a lot that will help him- achieve his ambition of becoming a Catholic Priest after training and thanked the organizers of the event which featured
questions and answers.
Comments are closed for this post.