FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOMINANT PRESENCE OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ODOZOR

The subject of study is the dominant presence of Roman Catholic Church in Odozor; the desire to undertake this study is motivated by the curiosity to understand the factor for the dominant presence of Roman Catholic in Odozor. In carrying out this study, simple random sampling was used to select five towns from the study area. The Five towns which constitute the population of study are Ebe, Abor, Awhum Okpatu and Umulumgbe. The researcher made use of primary and secondary sources in data collections. The review of the literature revealed some dependable variable which formed the theoretical framework for the study. The data and peculiarities of missionary enterprises in Odozor were analyzed and interpreted. Based on this framework, the following findings were made; that, the dominant presence of the Roman Catholic church in Odozor is due to the domineering influence of local chiefs and political heads. Other factors are the evangelical zeal of early converts and lay agents, mode of baptism and the Roman Catholic Church enculturation process also remains in factor. As a result of the researcher, therefore, recommends that laity participation in evangelism should be encouraged. Secondly is that Christian
denomination should adopt an enabling policy towards positioning African Christianity into African worldview. Finally, rigorous subjection is not necessary for the eternal salvation of soul

BY OKEKE BENARD IKECHUKWU, A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS DEGREE IN RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS FACULTY OF ARTS NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA, NIGERIA.