Global Food crisis: a threat to Catholic institutions!

By Ireneaus Chia Chongwain
Every generation, it is said, is confronted with a problem that defines its time. The present global food crisis, considered as the worst since the end of the Second World War is, indisputably, one of the defining hallmarks of the 21st century. Spiraling food prices, provoked by the ongoing food crisis, have struck different countries across the globe, forcing some politicians out of office and threatening to throw out even more.  Hundreds have been killed in demonstrations against rising living costs and trends in different parts of the world. The crisis is just beginning to take an unprecedented twist as Catholic institutions in developing countries, have become, or may soon become, the crisis' next victims.

The magnitude of the crisis is reflected in a message sent by Pope Benedict XVI to delegates of a high-level conference on World Food Security which held recently in Rome. In the message the Holy Father indicates that, "Hunger and malnutrition are unacceptable in a world, which, in reality, has sufficient food production levels, the resources, and the know-how to put an end to the tragedies and their consequences." The Pope drew the attention of world leaders to the fact that millions of people at threat in countries with security concerns were looking up to them for solutions.

While responding to the present food crisis, Catholic bishop conferences in different parts of the world have called on governments to take emergency measures to prevent their citizens, especially the poor, from going hungry. Before now these calls have been from those in authority within the Catholic Church to those in decision making positions at local and country levels and international organizations. The food crisis is now spiraling out of control and is beginning to impact negatively on Catholic institutions in, hitherto, unforeseen proportions.
Instead of calling for action, Church authorities in developing countries will now have to act to circumvent the worst- the closure of Catholic institutions, especially seminaries, in some countries.

Aid to the Church in Need has reported that the Catholic seminary in Makurdi in Central Nigeria could be closed this month as a result of the worldwide food crisis. It attributes the situation to what the rector of the seminary, Mgr Kenneth Enang, has described as "astronomical prices" of food that has already forced the rationing of food in the seminary that has more than 520 seminarians.

Although the situation may be isolated, it could have a greater rippling effect as Father Andrzei Halemba, who heads the Africa desk of Aid to the Church in Need has warned of the wider repercussions of the worldwide food crisis, indicating that it is "---becoming an ever greater problem for seminaries throughout the third world, and is likely to threaten the continued functioning of many other seminaries," Zenit reports.
Before the crisis, there were plans to enlarge the seminary. This plan is not only being threatened as vital resources are being diverted to catch up with skyrocketing food prices, but also poses neo-evangelical pastoral challenges of an unprecedented nature not only in Nigeria but in developing countries as a whole. While exploring ways of coming to the assistance of the seminary, concerned Catholics in the United States have described the Makurdi Seminary situation as "shameful."

The situation may be "shameful" but it gives the Church, not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole, an opportunity to reassess and redefine its policies with regard to the running of its institutions, especially seminaries. This is what is considered as changing negatives into positives. It will only be really shameful if the Church in Africa does not learn lessons from the ongoing worldwide food crisis. The effects of the crisis have narrowed down and are now threatening the very foundation of the Church in Africa.

To wade off the threat the response has to commensurate with the magnitude of the problem, especially so as experts have warned that high prices have come to stay. The Church will therefore require long term policies in dealing with the crisis. The Catholic Church cannot address the crisis that is threatening its institutions alone.

The worldwide food crisis provides an opportunity for Christian unity, for as the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev Dr Samuel Kobio says, "The Churches have an essential role to play, and to be effective Churches must face the global food crisis together." To ignore the threat the food crisis poses to the Church would be a sure way to put the Church in harms way.