The role of the church in socio-economic empowerment of people in light of populorum progressio : a case of Holy Trinity Parish, Kitagwenda District

Abstract

This research was undertaken in response to the observed social disharmony among christians and the financial burdens levied on them by the church. And so this was an attempt to establish possible remedies to this phenomenon in the area. The research study was carried out basing on four guiding objectives namely; To establish the teaching and role of the church on socio-economic empowerment of the people, the challenges met by the church and the strategies through which it can empower the people socially and economically. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design with mixed methods approaches. 32 respondents comprising of lay Christians and Christian leaders were enrolled in the study survey while a Key informant guide was used to gather data from the religious and the clergy, local council leaders and community development officers. The results of the study indicated that; the church teaches and emphasizes unity as well as hard work and with regard to social and economic empowerment of people especially through catechism and preaching. However, it needs a more practical approach when it comes to uplifting the income of the christians such as offering entrepreneurial skills and start up kits. It was also revealed that the church focuses more on the spiritual wellbeing than the financial wellbeing of the christians. The study recommended that in order to have a Christian community that is socially united and economically able to take care of personal needs and the church’s needs, the church as an institution needs to actively advocate for unity and pursue practical approaches to increase people’s incomes. This can be done through offering entrepreneurial skills and stakeholder engagement at all community, regional and national levels.