Care and Unity Among Priests, Religious, and the Laity with Biblical Roots

Father Michael Ufok Udoekpo offers a theological masterpiece and a pastoral vademecum with spiritual depth for the clergy, religious and the lay faithful. By weaving a biblical theology and Vatican II's ecclesial vision of care, communion, synodality, and unity with African anthropological insights of personhood and ubuntu (I am because you are), Udoekpo calls on members of the church to embrace the ecclesial imperative of living and exercising their ministries in unity and in collaboration with the common evangelizing mission of the church. This unity is built on mutual respect and support. It is nurtured by cooperation and a shared life of prayer, fostered by a synodal spirit of humility, where members of the church, bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and the laity not only listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church but walk together in synodality. Udoekpo's work bridges doctrine and pastoral praxis. It is a timely pastoral resource for ecclesial leadership and integral formation for all members of the church.