Joseph Ratzinger and the Future of African Theology - Hardcover

by Maurice Ashley Agbaw-Ebai (Editor), Matthew Levering (Editor)

This book engages the theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI in dialogue with African Catholic theological concerns and challenges. After an Introduction by Matthew Levering arguing that African Catholic theology is an important resource for the whole Church, the book contains ten chapters by African and non-African Catholic theologians. Paulinus Odozor investigates whether and, if so, how the God of Jesus Christ stands in continuity with the God known to African Traditional Religions. Paul Ọlatubọsun Adaja addresses faith and reason in light of the current African anthropological crisis. Tegha Nji and Valery Akoh connect Ratzinger's idea of "pro-existence" with traditional African understandings of solidarity. Jacob Phillips compares the theologies of Robert Cardinal Sarah and Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI. Dennis Kasule examines the requirements of a New Evangelization for Africa, in light of the case of Uganda. Joseph Lugalambi proposes that the Catholic liturgies of Africa are in need of reform. Mary-Reginald N. Anibueze explores the Eucharist as a socio-communitarian event. Emery de Gaal reflects upon Ratzinger/Benedict's theology of inculturation. Joseph Ogbonnaya treats Caritas in Veritate with a focus upon the case of Nigeria. Maurice Ashley Agbaw-Ebai meditates upon Ratzinger's understanding of political power.

Author Biography

Maurice Ashley Agbaw-Ebai earned his doctorate at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry in 2019 with a dissertation entitled The Aufklärung as the Hermeneutical Framework of the Christo-Ecclesiology of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI. He is a priest of the Manfe Diocese in Cameroon and presently lectures at Saint John's Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. He presently lectures at St John's Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts and at Woods College of Advancing Studies, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He is the editor of Light of Reason, Light of Faith: Joseph Ratzinger and the German Enlightenment.



Matthew Levering holds the James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He is the author or editor of over fifty books, including Joseph Ratzinger and the Healing of the Reformation-Era Divisions.