ISLAM AND THE FORMATION OF CATHOLIC PRIEST IN NIGERIA
The Nigeria society is dynamic and distinct in its pluralistic nature. Multiplicity defines the features and elements that make up the Nigerian State. The choice of becoming a vanguard of religious tradition by an individual in such a nation with plural political, cultural, social and religious belief systems demand rigorous formation processes. This paper examines Islam, one of the religious and cultural traditions most assertive and influential in Nigeria’s religio-political space against the training of Catholic priest of the Christian religious belief system. The work employs the historical, analytical and evaluative methods to examine the transformative stages of Islam from its inception and the challenges its poses to the Christian evangelical mission in Nigeria. The work hinges on the Geothe’s paradox theoretical framework “he who knows one knows none” adapted by Max Muller (1823-1900) in his comparative study of religion. The findings reveal that Islam which came through commercial activities has become a powerful influence in Nigeria society and the knowledge of its dynamic influences is of essence in the formation of Catholic priest as it enhances the strategies of priestly mission of evangelization and re-construction of a better society for peace and harmony with members of other religious groups. The enforcement the law of freedom of religious participation by political authority of the society is part of the recommendations of the paper which concludes that the commitment to interreligious dialogue and cooperation in a diverse society as Nigeria by the Catholic church will continuously be effective if the elements of knowing the dynamics of Islam are embedded within the context of the training of seminarians who hold the posterity of the Catholic mission.
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