Managing the contemporary Roman Church : an analysis of selected aspects of institutional leadership and related organisational issues in the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria as illustrated by reference to the early church and two Scottish Archdioceses
The Christian Church has undergone a process of institutional transformation since its establishment almost two thousand years ago. This transformation has changed an originally fluid and charismatic organisation into an hierarchical one, with its leadership (Roman Catholic) entrusted only to the ordained clergy. This type of Christian Church brought to Nigeria by the early catholic missionaries has both its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages is the increasing membership of the Roman Catholic community and the increased production of indigenous priests. However, the strategy of early missionary evangelisation marginalised the role and effectiveness of the Catholic laity in Church activities. Thus, the management of the Church as an organisation is wholly in the hands of the ordained. However, the continued worldwide decline in the recruitment and number of priests, and the unfavourable priest-to-laity ratio - particularly in Nigeria - both indicate a need for a change. Furthermore, the influence of both celibacy and contemporary social factors (for example, the unwillingness to enter a life-long relationship that priestly and religious life demands), and the innovation which the Second Vatican
Akinlotan, Joseph Yemi
Christianity--Nigeria--History
Managing the contemporary Roman Church : an analysis of selected aspects of institutional leadership and related organisational issues in the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria as illustrated by reference to the early church and two Scottish Archdioceses. The Christian Church has undergone a process of institutional transformation since its establishment almost two thousand years ago. This transformation has changed an originally fluid and charismatic organisation into an hierarchical one, with its leadership (Roman Catholic) entrusted only to the ordained clergy. This type of Christian Church brought to Nigeria by the early catholic missionaries has both its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages is the increasing membership of the Roman Catholic community and the increased production of indigenous priests. However, the strategy of early missionary evangelisation marginalised the role and effectiveness of the Catholic laity in Church activities. Thus, the management of the Church as an organisation is wholly in the hands of the ordained. However, the continued worldwide decline in the recruitment and number of priests, and the unfavourable priest-to-laity ratio - particularly in Nigeria - both indicate a need for a change. Furthermore, the influence of both celibacy and contemporary social factors (for example, the unwillingness to enter a life-long relationship that priestly and religious life demands), and the innovation which the Second Vatican
managing contemporary roman church analysis_select aspect institutional leadership related organisational issue nigeria illustrate reference early_church scottish christian_church undergone process institutional transformation since establishment transformation change originally fluid charismatic organisation hierarchical leadership roman_catholic entrust clergy type christian_church bring nigeria early catholic missionary advantage disadvantage among advantage increase membership roman_catholic community increase_production indigenous priest however strategy early missionary marginalise role effectiveness catholic laity church activity thus management church organisation wholly hand ordain however_continue worldwide decline recruitment number priest priest laity ratio particularly nigeria indicate need change furthermore influence contemporary_social factor example unwillingness enter life long relationship priestly religious_life demand innovation second