The Luo of Kenya’s Concept of Jo-Kang’ato as a Model for Christian Unity in the Ecclesial Life of the Church in Africa

Abstract

Owing to the failure of familial and communitarian ecclesial models in their current condition to adequately clarify the concept of Christian unity, revamping them becomes necessary. While the Luo of Kenya’s concept of jo-kang’ato is familial and communitarian, it presents a departure from the contemporary understanding of these two models which are filled with the individualistic elements of Western culture. The terminus a quo is brought forward through the ideals embedded in the concept which enrich the understanding of unity and mitigate the causes of disunity. The study on jo-kang’ato as a model for Christian unity in the ecclesial life of the Church in Africa is advantageous for the Church as it presents the potential to help Christians in Africa to discover deeper relationships with one another. It also contributes to scholarship by presenting jo-kang'ato as another way of addressing ecclesial disunity. The mission of the Church is enhanced when Christian unity is adequately understood and practiced. The concept did not lose significance in the past despite the changes which affect social life among the Luo. Jo-kang’ato binds people together in the present time too. Its strengths by far exceed its weaknesses. The analysis of interview data gathered in Kenya's four counties that are inhabited by the Luo established that the concept of jo-kang’ato could inform the understanding of unity among Christians in the ecclesial life of the Church in Africa on account of its potential to bring people together through the sibling relationship which it fosters. On this basis, jo-kang’ato is recommended as an ecclesial model to the Church in Africa.