La contribution des études patristiques à la théologie africaine : L’étude des Pères de l’Église à l’école théologique de Kinshasa (1957-2013)

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Our purpose is to highlight the importance and contribution of Patristics in the theological program in Kinshasa at the Faculty of Theology of the Université Catholique du Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We address a fundamental question: ‘What is the contribution of patristic studies to the development of theology in Africa today?’ To this end, our paper is divided into three main points. First, we discuss the presence of patristic tradition in the training of students in Kinshasa. Next we explain the areas of study within the Faculty of Theology. Above all, we take into consideration critical studies concerning the origins of African paleochristianity, emphasizing in particular Fathers originating in Africa. Then, in accordance with the needs of the African Church, the teaching of the Fathers is made relevant using a hermeneutic of retrieval, with a view to integrating it into the ‘today’ of Africans. Finally, we call attention to the contribution of the studies and research of patrologists, both those belonging to the Faculty of Theology and those elsewhere, to the genesis and development of ‘African’ theology, mainly in the theology of religion, fundamental theology, christology, ecclesiology, theology of ministries, social and political theology, ecology.