| dc.description.abstract | This is a critical survey of the development of the
Anglican Church in Nyanza Province, Western Kenya. It
investigates the period between 1905, when the CMS Missionaries
arrived in Western Kenya, and 1970 when the diocese
of Maseno South was created.
The work was prompted by the fact that although the
Anglican Church was one of the earliest missionary churches
in the area, there was a gap in its history and lack of
detailed information. Since the Anglican Church has had
considerable influence in the area, it became important
to have a look at its origins and growth. By doing this
we hope to make a contribution towards a better understanding
of Church and society.
Two important facts are underlined in the study.
First, that the missionary imposition of the Christian faith
and western culture on the African converts led to religiopolitical
upheavals in the Church. Second, that the
missionary attitude towards the African customs and African
church personnel led to rebellion and schisms.
Several conclusions have been arrived at. First,
that the schisms and rebellions that took place in the
Anglican Church were the result of the impact of Christianity
on the Luo way of life, prompted by conflict
between African and European cultural values. Second,
the Luo traditional life was undermined, and the
individual's identification with the Luo community was
replaced by identification with the Christian community.
Third, that the Luo family system was disrupted and the
young people, in particular, became uprooted and alienated
from their traditional roots, as their education was
removed from the hands of the community and parents to
that of the school teachers. | en |
