CONSECRATED LIFE AND EVANGELIZATION OF FAMILY LIFE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The author took a cursory look at Consecrated life and how they could impact the family life by their life of service. Consecrated persons are people called by God and haven been inspired by the Holy Spirit, they responded generously to this call of service in order to participate in the saving mission of Christ. They are people, among others, who are propelled by charity to serve the family life, albeit, they have their roots in the family. Family life in Nigeria is in need of renewal in all its ramifications and the consecrated persons are challenged to doggedly embrace the evangelization of the family life with the conviction that when the family is well, all the individuals in the society will be hearty. The work of Evangelization of the people is not for the priests alone and more so that this work calls for concerted efforts of consecrated persons. The paper will examine consecrated life briefly and expose how consecrated persons can participate in the evangelization of the family life in collaboration with minsters of the church through witness of life, Marriage preparation, marriage enrichment or on-going catechesis, paying attention to family matters which include the many forms of abuse ranging from sexual abuse to alcohol and substance abuse and battering of persons while not neglecting the issue of family planning. When the family life matters are well attended to, the church will grow not only in numbers but also of sound minded people.