On Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at Gregorian University in Rome, Waclaw Dominik, SMA, defended his doctoral thesis in spirituality on the theme:  “To be a missionary from the bottom of my heart.  The charism and the spirituality Ad Gentes of the Society of African Missions”.

Waclaw emphasised that since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s had honoured the questions of charism and spirituality of each institution, not one study at the doctorate level has yet appeared on this theme.

We can see that the Church in Africa has made great progress:  it spreads itself, it governs itself, it finances itself.  And yet, a large number of people in Africa still do not recognize Jesus as their Saviour.  It is necessary, therefore, to renew the missionary commitment.  To devote oneself to primary evangelization requires particular qualities and a particular call.  New responses need to be invented today, especially at the level of formation and administration.

The author has, of course, explored the charism of his congregation so as to confront it with the realities of Africa today and look for more appropriate approaches to proclaim the Good News.  He spent twelve years in Africa:  five years in formation in Egypt and in Kenya, three years as a priest in Tanzania, and five years as the Director of Students at the house of formation in Nairobi while also studying at the Maryknoll Institute of African Studies in Nairobi.  He has, therefore, married solid experience in the field with academic studies.

A moderator from India (who spoke in English) and a moderator from Hungary (who spoke in Italian) gave their judgment on this thesis and made requests for a deepening of this study.  Waclaw responded in the language in which questions were posed, to the satisfaction of his examiners.  

See the photo gallery of the event here