Sierra Leone: The Enduring Challenges of the Catholic Church in the Country

Jallomy — Forgiveness, reconciliation and restitution are key elements in the character and nature of the Catholic Church. We are taught to believe that the Catholic Church is universal in character and as such its applications and practices have universal acceptance and relevance. Today, more than ever before, the Catholic Church is challenged by the reality and permanent nature of change; and this is understood by the current papacy to the extent that reforms now being driven are sounding strange and shocking to the traditional segment of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is phenomenal, decisive and abrupt in driving the process of change in the Catholic Church. He is taking the risk, many will say, to drive change in a largely predatory religious arrangement. Pope Francis is simply being wise by deeply understanding the changing global trends. He thinks that the only thing that is permanent is change and that stemming the tide of change can potentially and dangerously be counterproductive.

The Catholic Church has been in Sierra Leone for several decades and deeply rotted in the socio cultural lives of the people. The foot prints of the Catholic Church are obvious and visible on the sands of religion, education, health and livelihood opportunities. In a broader sense, the interventions of the Catholic Church help to consolidate our nationhood.

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