Hilton foundation and Nigerian Catholic institute train religious sisters
By Sr Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA
Enhancing the theological and spiritual formation of the roughly 6,000 religious sisters in West Africa.
That’s the goal of a new collaboration between the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, USA and the Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA), Nigeria.
The “Hilton-CIWA Theological Formation for Women Religious” is hoping to serve 225 Catholic Sisters in the West and Central African regions between 2022 and 2024.
It aims to create an e-learning opportunity for theological studies by drawing upon the rich theology available at CIWA.
In an interview with the Vatican News, Sr. Dr. Mary Jane Aririguzo, IHM, Coordinator of the Hilton-CIWA Theological Formation for Women Religious, said that “the project aims to enhance the theological and spiritual formation of sisters through serious academic study, and scientific research.”
Hilton-CIWA Theological Formation for African Women Religious
According to Sr. Aririguzo, the formation training was set up by the Conrad Hilton Foundation to replicate what was already in place at Helkima College, Nairobi, East Africa.
In the West Africa region, the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Nigeria was chosen to anchor it, she added.
“It is to offer religious sisters across West and Central Africa to boost their theological formation and spirituality, and also serves as an ongoing formation for the sisters,” Sr. Aririguzo stressed.
She expressed her belief that the Hilton-CIWA formation programme would do a great job if it could provide at least 70% to 80% of the 6,600 sisters in West and Central Africa's various congregations with theological and spiritual formation.
Since many religious studies are in Europe, America and other places outside Africa, this programme recognizes the African culture, morals, traditions and the sensitivity of the continent.
All these are being factored into the knowledge offered to the religious which allows them to be in touch with the reality of the African cultures, she said.
The forthcoming Convocation
“We are really in top gear in the preparation for the graduation of the pilot group of successful students who have been through this programme,” the coordinator declared.
The event is set for 9 October 2023 and will be held in a hybrid format, since all the 92 graduating students are from different parts of Africa.
Among the dignitaries invited for the programme are the Chairman of the Governing Council of CIWA, Bishop Camillus Umoh, and the President of the Nigerian Conference of Women Religious, Sister Regina Oke, SSMA.
Wonderful experiences so far
One year into this programme, the coordinator said, “I can honestly and sincerely tell you that we have met all the four objectives set for the programme”.
According to her, the objectives were centred around promoting spirituality, becoming spiritual, and understanding the consecrated life.
It was like a “harvest of knowledge” for the students who took part in the programme, she added.
Expressing her joy, she said, “You can imagine the evaluation we have, the assessment we have from the sisters, they were rating the programme high and they wrote about it nearly 100%”.
The coordinator also stated that one vital thing about this virtual programme is that, the sisters were able to combine it with their various apostolates.
Many sisters from different fields such as medical practitioners, teachers, pastoral agents, social workers and many more, joined the programme.
In fact, a medical doctor from Cameroon emerged as the overall best in the programme and will be awarded during the forthcoming convocation of the students, she said.
According to Sr. Aririguzo, some of the students have expressed that the knowledge they have acquired so far is already being reflected in their approach to work.
This means that their work has been influenced by the social teachings of the church, which emphasize the dignity of the human person and its fundamental rights, regardless of their circumstances and reach, she added.
The challenge of internet connectivity in Africa
Sr. Aririguzo expressed that the programme faced challenges in its progress, particularly due to poor internet connectivity in parts of Africa.
It was very unfortunate that despite having notes and lectures, some students discontinued due to their inability to connect to online lessons.
Additionally, the students struggled with social media use, leading to the introduction of a course on journalism and social media.
Sr. MaryJane Aririguzo concluded on a note of appreciation to the Conrad Hilton Foundation, the Rector of CIWA, Fr. Prof. Jude Asanbe, the lecturers, and all those who helped in the functionality and sustainability of the programme.
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