Communication Training in Priestly Formation and Ministry: A Case Study of the Four Major Seminaries in Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC) major seminaries are implementing the church's communication training resolutions, and how the training impacts the priests' homily delivery. Communication curricula available in the four KEC seminaries for the period 1991-2001 were studied. Then, thirty diocesan priests from various diocesses ordained within that period were surveyed. Out of these, four were videotaped while delivering homilies. Two focus groups discussions- one for youth and the other for adults - where the priests being videotaped had delivered homilies, were also conducted. A number of priests were also asked to evaluate fellow priests" homily delivery. Finally, in-depth interviews were conducted on the Rectors, Deans of studies and lecturers of communications in the KEC seminaries. In general, this research took a qualitative approach and the population for study was purpo- sively sampled. Although the church has over years stressed that communication training be part and parcel of priestly formation, only the Spirituality seminary, St. Mary's senior seminary in Molo, had a communication foundation course. However, this was not built on once the seminarians moved to the Philosophicum and Tueoligicum. The other three seminarjes had elements of communication studies incorporated in the art of preaching course, known as Homiletics. The communi- cation manuals launched by the AMECEA bishops are thorough, covering both the homiletics and communication topics relevant for priestly training. Ironically, these manuals have not penetrated the topics relevant for priestly training. Ironi- cally, these manuals have not penetrated the KEC seminaries, and are therefore not officially being used. Secondly, the research discovered that priests in the field desire an on-going formation in communication, to help them in addressing the needs they meet in ministry, not just in homily delivery but also in other apostolates like ministering to the dying, blind, deaf, terminally ill and other special groups of people.