Rose Kuias, Donatus Onyeke & Daniel J. Stollenwerk
Abstract
Although still official teaching, the Roman Catholic belief in purgatory has been neglected in recent years, most probably because of an unconscious and unnecessary adherence on the part of its devotees to a now abandoned medieval cosmology. Once renewed, however, this ancient doctrine could prove to be a great tool for evangelization and dialogue with the many world traditions that place great emphasis on a continuing relationship between the living and the deceased. The article begins with a brief explanation of the origin and historical development of the Christian understanding of purgatory. It then presents the Amaki traditional understanding of the origin of people, the perception of death and the interaction of the living with the dead. There then follows a comparison of some of the themes and theological concepts found in the two traditions. The article concludes with a note on possible pastoral implications.
Return to Volume 4 - DWU Research Journal
