| dc.description.abstract | Majority of people in Kenya are poor. Looking around us, we see a lot of poverty in
the form of numerous beggars in our towns, increasing street dwellers, many people who are
homeless, displaced, sick, hungry and/or impoverished. These people, due to their poverty, are
exposed to dehumanizing conditions which lead to untold suffering. Their situation and cry for
help, demand a quick action by the society towards alleviating their suffering. This study is an
attempt to examine and to analyze the role played by the Catholic Church towards this end.
This study is entitled "The Role of the Roman Catholic Church in Assisting the Poor in
the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, Kenya." Its main objective is to analyze the role of the Church
in enhancing material development of the poor besides her obliged role of evangelisation, and
to make recommendations aimed at improving the nature, quality and impact of Church's
assistance to the poor in future.
The findings of this study are a result of both library and field research. In the field,
data was collected using various methods, namely; questionnaire, oral interviews, participation
and observation, and case study. Views from one hundred and four respondents are covered.
Chapter one is introduction and includes the statement of the problem, theoretical
framework and the literature review. Chapter two is a brief look at the teaching of the Roman
Catholic Church on and about poor. The Bible, teachings of the Church Fathers, Papal
Encyclicals on social issues and documents of Vatican II Council are presented as the sources
of the official teaching of the Church on the subject. Contributions of various Episcopal
Conferences and Theologians are also discussed. These sources teach on the meaning, causes
and solutions of the problem of poverty. The need for justice, respect for human rights and
love for the poor are underscored. The Church is seen to have a central role to play in solving
the crisis of poverty.
In Chapter three, background information to the area of study is given. The chapter
also examines the phenomenon of poverty in the area by discussing its meaning, extent, causes
and effects as presented by the respondents.
Chapter four presents the Church's activities towards selected categories of the poor,
namely the; street children disabled, landless, victims of ethnic/political clashes and
unemployed. Causes and effects of these categories of poverty in the diocese are discussed.
Specific projects initiated and run by the Church to help these people are examined at length.
These projects clearly indicate that the church is intensively and extensively involved in
alleviating poverty in our midst. This task is, however, an uphill one, owing to various obstacles
encountered by the church; lack of funds and opposition from the establishment being the
major ones.
Chapter five is a critical analysis of the findings of this study. {approaches adopted
by the Church in alleviating poverty are objectively discussed; Despite being in the afore
in the struggle against poverty, the Church in Nakuru has structures that enhance the same
problem, hence a paradox. Proper wage/salary system and terms of service for her workers,
plus the question of large families seem to be peripherial in the Chruch's priorities.
In chapter six the Church is challenged to double her efforts in alleviating poverty.
Structures within the diocese that counter this noble course should be dismantled. The Church
should be louder in condemning injustice and oppressive structures. | en |
