The effect of anti-life crimes on the mission of the church in Kibuye Makindye catholic parish in light of evangelium vitae (gospel of life)

Abstract

The taking of human life has been strongly condemned by most world religions, philosophies, constitutions and cults over the centuries. International human rights law in turn sought to uphold this most sacrosanct of rights in a number of treaties. The fact that there are still abuses to life indicates a deficient understanding on a large extent than authorization since no human being or institutions possess any right to permit death of a person. The study, therefore, sought to find out how the abuses to life have affected the mission of the Church (people’s appreciation and conviction of God’s love) through the topic, “The Effect Of Anti-Life Crimes On The Mission Of The Church In Kibuye Makindye Catholic Parish In Light Of Evangelium Vitae (Gospel Of Life).” The study was undertaken in Kibuye Makindye Catholic Parish, Kampala Archdiocese. It involved a sample size of 383 respondents from the three sub parishes (Kibuye Makindye, Kyamula and Luwafu) that make up Kibuye Makindye Parish. The major protagonists of this study included, the Parents, Church leaders, Medical professionals, Youths and Government workers. These respondents were selected using both random and non-random sampling techniques. The required data was collected using a combination of tools including: - in-depth oral interviews by the researcher and his research assistants, self-administered questionnaires, as well as observation and review of relevant theological and non-theological documents about anti-life crimes. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis, while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics that included percentages, frequencies, tables, graphs and charts. The results showed that there were several major anti-life crimes in Kibuye Makindye Parish which include: Abortion, Murder, Suicide, Child trafficking, Child sacrifice, and other actions that put life in danger like negligence, prostitution, witchcraft, domestic violence, genocide, subhuman conditions, and imprisonment among others. The findings further indicated that, many anti-life tragedies that happen to people make them question God’s presence in their lives, His protection, love and mercy. These crimes have also bore poor attitudes towards God, and have left people far away from trusting in His love and providence. Instead of searching to get closer to him, amidst such teething troubles of life, to trust Him more, they seek other ways of solving their problems minus inclusion of God. They see tragedies as signs of God’s disappointment in humanity. The researcher thus found out that, the surest way to promote the mission of the Church is through finding solutions to the many anti-life crimes in Kibuye Makindye Parish which this study has done. Absence of anti-life crimes will indicate God’s presence among His people. The recommendations therefore identified the need for Parents, Medical professionals, Church leaders, youths and law enforcing organs, to revise and revive better the means they use to execute their responsibilities; to ensure that life is protected and that the young people are encouraged to respect and accord life the necessary dignity. Unless those institutions are cautioned to retake up their responsibilities regarding guarding and protecting the gift of life seriously, more crimes are likely to come up and Church mission is to keep in dilemma. The study concluded that, the increasing gap between the church’s teaching on the inviolability of the gift of life and the secular tendency due to laxity and liberalism can only be checked through awakened responsibility of parents over their children, church leaders through their apostolate especially homilies and apostolate, youths through understanding that life is a gift from God, and law enforcing organs through a strict handling of culprits and ensuring that life is unreservedly cherished as a gift from God.