Care and Unity Among Priests, Religious, and the Laity with Biblical Roots - Paperback

by Michael Ufok Udoekpo (Author), Augustine Ndubueze Echema (Foreword by), Teresa Okure (Foreword by)

Father Michael Ufok Udoekpo offers a theological masterpiece and a pastoral vademecum with spiritual depth for the clergy, religious and the lay faithful. By weaving a biblical theology and Vatican II's ecclesial vision of care, communion, synodality, and unity with African anthropological insights of personhood and ubuntu (I am because you are), Udoekpo calls on members of the church to embrace the ecclesial imperative of living and exercising their ministries in unity and in collaboration with the common evangelizing mission of the church. This unity is built on mutual respect and support. It is nurtured by cooperation and a shared life of prayer, fostered by a synodal spirit of humility, where members of the church, bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and the laity not only listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church but walk together in synodality. Udoekpo's work bridges doctrine and pastoral praxis. It is a timely pastoral resource for ecclesial leadership and integral formation for all members of the church.

Author Biography

Michael Ufok Udoekpo is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene and professor of biblical studies and theology at the department of theology, Veritas University, Abuja. His books include Rethinking the Day of YHWH and Restoration of Fortunes in the Prophet Zephaniah (2010), Rethinking the Prophetic Critique of Worship in Amos 5 (2017), Israel's Prophets and the Prophetic Effect of Pope Francis (2018), and the three-volume Sharing the Word of God (2020).