HISTORY BEHIND THE HISTORY
The author of the Gospel of John in his prologue began with “in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God” Jn 1:1. In the same way, we cannot comprehensively give the history of NACATHS without first of all giving the history behind the history.
NACATHS which means National Association Of Catholic Theology Students came as a desire for a united front in the fight and projection of theological ideas. These theological ideas and presentations have been in existence in the different seminaries and efforts have always been made to “Africanize” theology and make it more understandable to our people.
Christianity came as a foreign religion to a people who had existed centuries before its advent. For it to take root in Africa, it needed to be Africanized or localized so that it is understood in line with the culture of a people. This effort at localization of theology started with the incorporation of Africans into the evangelization process, by accepting them into the seminaries and training them for the sacred priesthood. This localization took on the intellectual space in Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu in 1977 when on the 28th day of October 1977, at around 7:45pm a meeting was convoked with the aim of forming a body of theology in Bigard. This group emerged with Rev Peter Akaenyi as its first president and the name was Bigard Coterie.
The Bigard Coterie began in unique style to make waves and progress. Coterie means an exclusive group of people, who associate closely for a common purpose; a clique. The power in the name started manifesting from the aim of the group which was seen in a letter written by the group to the Rector of the seminary requesting for permission to start this group. The aims include:
- The primary aim of B.T.C (Bigard Theological Coterie) is to promote the spirit of research in the theological studies. First, among its members and then to the entire students through its activities.
- Providing for a firm grasp or deeper understanding of the lectures delivered in class, through group discussions on the various topics
- Using the knowledge acquired in examining some theological problems, with a special interest on Africa and finally to deepen our knowledge of Catholic theology through these method of study.
To achieve the above aims, they outlined (5) five activities they will engage in to see to the actualization of their aims. These include:
- Organizing group studies and meetings for its members as often as it finds it necessary
- Assigning special topics to each member for a thorough research and to deliver the findings to the group in form of lectures
- Having a general discussion on the problems arising from such findings
- Producing a theological journal at least annually
- Holding annual theological seminar or symposium in the school.
This request was approved with the comment: “we wait and see the fruit of your labour, contact me for any matter you deem useful for your group”. This was indeed not a pessimistic response but a prophecy because the group grew from grace to grace and started a publication titled “Horizons” which dealt on many theological themes and topics. More importantly, the founding members of this association have been of great positive influence in the Nigerian Church.
The permission letter was signed by Valerian Okeke, the first president of the group Peter Akaenyi, Secretary Jude Uwalaka, Treasurer Gregory Nsofor, Production managers Luke Anameze and Melitus Ossai and Panteleon Iroegbu. These names are so popular in the intellectual space of the church in Igbo land.
This association continued to grow and do exploits in brainstorming and localizing the theology they were taught in class. But it was limited to Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu.
THE HISTORY
The move towards nationalizing this movement of Africanizing theology came from Saints Peter and Paul Seminary Bodija. From a copy of the Inaugural speech available to us, we saw that the idea of an association of theology students was conceived by Francis Adesina who thought of and proposed an association under which students of theology can come together to rub minds together on theological issues thereby enriching the intellectual life of the seminary and laying a solid foundation for a better future as theologians. On the inauguration of this association in the seminary, the Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. John K. A. Aniagwu charged and challenged the young association to make a move towards a national association of theology students in Nigeria.
This challenge was accepted and pursued with immediate effect. On 19th February 1988, the association sent out letters to different seminaries requesting for the formation of a national association of Catholic theology students. This brought about the meeting of delegates from different seminaries at Saints Peter and Paul seminary Bodija, held from 28th -30th October 1988. At this meeting, five seminaries were present and with their approval, a national association of Catholic theology students was formed.
In the words of Theddeus Adukus (first national secretary), the enormity of the move was seen clearly, and the vision was clear too. He said “brothers, we have taken a very pertinent step in the history of the catholic church in Nigeria. Let us follow it up and be active and dedicated members of this association”. At a glance through documents available to us, we see the vision and mission of the founding fathers of NACATHS. It was aimed at uniting all theological students to rub minds and theologize for the good of Nigeria. In the letter sent out inviting all the seminaries for the formation of a national association, they argued:
The need for a Nigerian theology is a pressing one and so it is necessary that we prepare ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead of us. To meet this challenge, the formation of a national association of theology students which will serve as an avenue of exchanging ideas on theology and knowing each other better. It was therefore not only meant to unite ideas but also unite people of the same purpose.
This request struck the right cord in the different seminaries as they responded in affirmative and as Bigard already has the Coterie, it only needed alliance and not forming a new association. The first seminaries that went for the delegation meeting were
- Saints Peter and Paul seminary Bodija
- Saint Paul Seminary Gwagwalada, Abuja
- Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu
- Saint Augustine Seminary Jos
- Spiritan International School of Theology, Attakwu, Enugu
Other seminaries present at that time joined later and were there at the inaugural meeting which was held from 10th – 12th March 1989 at Saints Peter and Paul Seminary Bodija.
This association hoped and dreamed that a time will come when textbooks on theology written by Nigerian theologians would compete favourably with those written by theologians in other parts of the Catholic world. This will be realized if theology students are interested in talking theology outside the classroom. They therefore set these objectives
- Make provision for exchange of ideas among students of theology
- Work towards articulating theology in its African context in general and Nigeria in particular
- To organize theological lectures, symposia and conferences for the primary benefit of students
- To encourage writing and publication of theological articles
These objectives were pursued by the activities of this NACATHS over the years and to a great extent, have been met at different levels. They do this by bringing out central themes for each national convention. The theme for the first national convention was “the role of Christianity in a developing Nigeria; social, political, economic and ethical dimensions”.
These objectives and desires are all embeded in the anthems they have used over the years. In them is the vision and mission well spelt out as a constant reminder to what this association set out to achieve. We will have a brief look at the two anthems within our reach:
OLD NACATHS ANTHEM
As like pilgrims on journey
We gaze ahead with faith secured
Faith thus secured and minds employed
We gaze and ponder the mysteries
Light Divine incarnate word
Along thy way we yearn to match
African soil we are in search
Eternal home in thee we claim
Of thy glory we sing in joy
As our reason mix with faith
Enrobed by culture enriched by the word
We yied to serve and yearn to live
Then the present anthem still re-echo the vision of the past, thus:
NACATHS ANTHEM
s:s:s/s:-:r/m:d:l/s:—l:t:l/s:-:m/r:m:fe/s:-
s:m:d/l:s:f/m:r:d/t:—m:s:m/d:r:f/m:-:-/r:d:t/d:–
Nigerian Church of age has come
The toils of the past have become
The fruit which today with joy we reap
NACATHS her children hope for brighter future
More local may this Church become
And more deepened our theology be
Wider and stronger may the faith grow
As we the bride in Africa profess
On Thee God Father we beseech
And your Son Christ the revelation
As we beseech this mystery proclaim
Your spirit of enlightenment we seek