{{unknown}}NAIROBI , 31 August, 2019 / 3:37 AM (ACI Africa).-

A book on how principles of psychology can be applied to the ministry of Christian churches within the African context has been launched in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

“Indications show that Christianity is vibrant in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and pastoral challenges are also many being that the history of Christianity in most parts of the African continent is relatively short,” author of the book, Rev. Prof. Sahaya Selvam has noted.
“More scientific approaches are needed to understand and respond to these pastoral situations,” Fr. Selvam has further explained what motivated him to write the book that focuses on Africa.
“Africa has specific issues like anomalous experiences such as hearing voices or possession like behavior hence the need to apply psychological principles in the African context,” the Salesian of Don Bosco missionary said Thursday, August 29 […]

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According to Selvam: What is Ecumenism?
The Spirit is alive in our dialogue among churches. Ecumenism is a concrete expression of our desire to live by the Spirit. The Pauline churches of the first century provide a viable model for unity in diversity even today. And the ecclesiology of the Fathers of the Church (c.100-451AD) provides a challenging model of diversity in unity. Our sins of in-group pride and out-group exclusion be acknowledged. Theology shouldn’t be used to justify our political sentiments. Honesty, courage, and humility of believers will make the Triune God more real in the world today.
READ THE FULL MAGAZINE: <<CLICK HERE>>

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Sahaya G. Selvam, PhD
Academic Contributions 2018
 

Publications

Selvam, S.G., & Munyiva, L. (2018). Benefits of Good Shepherd Catechesis among children with intellectual disabilities in Kenya. Journal of Religious Education, 66(3), 225-234. DOI: 10.1007/s40839-018-0069-5.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40839-018-0069-5
Since Martin Luther, religious education has largely been identified with catechism that used question and answer method, particularly in the Catholic church. For a person with intellectual disability, this offers a grave difficulty in religious formation. Could there be alternatives? The present study aimed at exploring the benefits of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for children living with intellectual disabilities. The participants were 23 children and 9 care-givers in a Catholic context in Kenya. Observation guides and interviews were used to collect data that showed that children with intellectual disabilities had the ability to spontaneously relate with the spiritual world, […]

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24 Oct 2018. The Symposium on Global Innovations for Character Development has kicked off at the Safari Park hotel, Nairobi. Selvam is currently participating in the two day Symposium (24th-25th October 2018).
He was invited on his personal capacity as a researcher on character strengths in the African continent, to this specialized forum being organized by the Institute of Human Development at the Aga Khan University, Nairobi. The event is jointly funded by The Aga Khan Foundation and The Templeton World Charity Foundation. Selvam will be making a presentation among the 45 invited specialists at the forum on the topic of Character Grooming of Youth.
Earlier during the year, Selvam was also invited to the 1st African Conference on Positive Psychology held at the North-West University, South Africa. At that conference, […]

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Shrine of Mary Help of Christians – Upperhill, Nairobi
Year of Jubilee – Monthly Recollections
General Theme of the Recollections:
Christian Spirituality for Today: Towards an Experience of God in Jesus
The reflections will focus on different dimensions of Christian Spirituality for the contemporary world, so that we may find ourselves on the way to God. The participants will be introduced also to different methods of prayer in the Christian tradition. Mary will be presented as a model Christian who responded to the presence of God in her life.
 
PROGRAMME
8.30     – Arrival
9.00     – Praise & Worship
9.15     – Main Reflection
10.30   – Break
10.50   –  Adoration/Confession
12.00   –  Mass – Homily
1.00pm – Departure
 
MONTHLY THEMES
11 August 2018         
Reflection: The Christian Life Journey
Homily: The Call of Mary: Structure of a Call
8 September […]

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