R&L Logo R&L Logo
  • GENERAL
    • Browse by Subjects
    • New Releases
    • Coming Soon
    • Chases's Calendar
  • ACADEMIC
    • Textbooks
    • Browse by Course
    • Instructor's Copies
    • Monographs & Research
    • Reference
  • PROFESSIONAL
    • Education
    • Intelligence & Security
    • Library Services
    • Business & Leadership
    • Museum Studies
    • Music
    • Pastoral Resources
    • Psychotherapy
  • FREUD SET
Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
share of facebook share on twitter
Add to GoodReads

A Christian and African Ethic of Women's Political Participation

Living as Risen Beings

Léocadie W. Lushombo

This book surveys a broad panorama of Christian and African traditions to discover and assess the components that will illuminate and motivate a Christian and African ethic of women’s political participation. The author’s primary lens for diagnosing the problems faced by women in Africa is Engelbert Mveng’s concept of “anthropological poverty” that results from slavery and colonialism. It affects women in unique ways and is exacerbated by the religious and cultural histories of women’s oppression. The author advocates an interplay between the sacredness of every individual’s life, a salient principle of Christian ethics, and the collective consciousness of solidarity distinctive to African cultures. This interplay can, in turn, foster a more enlightened approach to African masculinity. Using a “sophialogical” hermeneutic, this in-depth study undertakes a moral imagination through narrative criticism. It argues that the existential reality of African women must be addressed as an essential element in the development of Christian socio-political ethic. The righteous, solidaristic, and resistant anger of women can transform patriarchy and inform Catholic social teaching. The author draws on The Circle of concerned African women theologians, postcolonial theorists, inculturation theology, African males, and Jon Sobrino's liberation theology to present an innovative Christian ethic that will radically affect the lives of African women and inform feminist theology.

  • Details
  • Details
  • Author
  • Author
  • TOC
  • TOC
  • Reviews
  • Reviews
Lexington Books
Pages: 302 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-1-7936-4774-0 • Hardback • November 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
978-1-7936-4775-7 • eBook • November 2022 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
Series: Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies in Religion and Theology
Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics, Social Science / Women's Studies, Religion / African Religions, Social Science / Ethnic Studies / African Studies

Léocadie W. Lushombo is a consecrated woman, member of the Teresian Association (Institución Teresiana), assistant professor of theological ethics at the Jesuit School of Theology/Santa Clara University, and a visiting professor at the Catholic University of the Congo.

Preface

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

Part One: The Scope of Anthropological Poverty in Africa

Chapter 1: Anthropological Pauperization: History, Causes, and Effects

Chapter 2: African Women’s Anthropological Poverty

Part Two: African Women’s Empowering Sociopolitical and Cultural Legacy

Chapter 3: African Proverbs and African Traditional Religions

Chapter 4: African Myths and Female Power

Chapter 5: African Women Historical Figures and Political Agents

Part Three: Christian Ethics and The Challenges of Women’s Political Participation

Chapter 6: Catholic Social Teaching and Women’s Political Participation

Chapter 7: Christian Discipleship and Women’s Political Participation

Chapter 8: Women, Solidaristic Anger, and the Preferential Option for the Poor

Part Four: African Women’s Voices: Implications to Christian and African Ethic

Chapter 9: AfricanWomen Living as Risen Beings

Chapter 10: African Women’s Solidarity, Hope, and Resilience

Chapter 11: African Women as Loci Theologici: Ethical Implications

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

With exhaustive research, profound insight, and great compassion, Léocadie W. Lushombo exposes the root causes of the anthropological poverty of women in Africa and advocates a Christian/African ethic for the empowerment of women and their full participation in political life as well as a radical spiritual renewal based on the reimagining of biblical and African texts in the light of resurrection faith. This is a monumental work to be studied, pondered, and lived.


— Veronica Mary Rolf, author of Suddenly There is God


Léocadie Lushombo provides a stimulating proposal for women who have customarily been denied a role in African political life. In developing her ethical argument she draws upon both traditional African social thought and the tradition of Catholic social teaching. However, she is no uncritical reader of these moral traditions. Lushombo offers a piercing assessment of how these traditions have been compromised by their male-dominated worldviews and complicit in the oppression of women. Yet, her critical retrieval of these traditions shows they can be utilized for a more promising ethical vision for African women than heretofore experienced.


— Kenneth R. Himes, OFM, Boston College


By engaging the wonderfully rich platform of anthropological poverty, Lushombo captures the complexities that compromise women's agency in the struggle for equity in Africa. Rather than speak for them, she raises up living beings whose own voices we can hear and that summon us to listen to them with her and to recognize their right to be heard. A solid, engaging, liberating work by a theologian of great depth and humanity.


— James F. Keenan, S.J., Boston College


Honest, courageous, compelling and profound—Léocadie Lushombo’s manifesto gives voice and hope to cruelly burdened African women, while inspiring solidarity and action among their allies everywhere. Uniquely woven from women’s stories, African traditional cultures and religion, Scripture, African postcolonial theology, African women’s theology, liberation theology, and Catholic social teaching, this marvelous work is a scholarly tour de force. Its distinctively African call for resistance to the reality of women’s suffering in the name of resurrection life speaks across continents with eloquence and passion.


— Lisa Sowle Cahill, Boston College


Lushombo's book adeptly centers African political theology and ethics in conversation with European theologians while keeping the real lives of African women as the core agents in the argument. This book is a substantial contribution to developing Catholic social thought, providing a challenging companion to read alongside Fratelli tutti.


— Journal Of Catholic Social Thought


A Christian and African Ethic of Women's Political Participation

Living as Risen Beings

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • This book surveys a broad panorama of Christian and African traditions to discover and assess the components that will illuminate and motivate a Christian and African ethic of women’s political participation. The author’s primary lens for diagnosing the problems faced by women in Africa is Engelbert Mveng’s concept of “anthropological poverty” that results from slavery and colonialism. It affects women in unique ways and is exacerbated by the religious and cultural histories of women’s oppression. The author advocates an interplay between the sacredness of every individual’s life, a salient principle of Christian ethics, and the collective consciousness of solidarity distinctive to African cultures. This interplay can, in turn, foster a more enlightened approach to African masculinity. Using a “sophialogical” hermeneutic, this in-depth study undertakes a moral imagination through narrative criticism. It argues that the existential reality of African women must be addressed as an essential element in the development of Christian socio-political ethic. The righteous, solidaristic, and resistant anger of women can transform patriarchy and inform Catholic social teaching. The author draws on The Circle of concerned African women theologians, postcolonial theorists, inculturation theology, African males, and Jon Sobrino's liberation theology to present an innovative Christian ethic that will radically affect the lives of African women and inform feminist theology.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 302 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
    978-1-7936-4774-0 • Hardback • November 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
    978-1-7936-4775-7 • eBook • November 2022 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
    Series: Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies in Religion and Theology
    Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics, Social Science / Women's Studies, Religion / African Religions, Social Science / Ethnic Studies / African Studies
Author
Author
  • Léocadie W. Lushombo is a consecrated woman, member of the Teresian Association (Institución Teresiana), assistant professor of theological ethics at the Jesuit School of Theology/Santa Clara University, and a visiting professor at the Catholic University of the Congo.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Preface

    Acknowledgments

    List of Abbreviations

    Introduction

    Part One: The Scope of Anthropological Poverty in Africa

    Chapter 1: Anthropological Pauperization: History, Causes, and Effects

    Chapter 2: African Women’s Anthropological Poverty

    Part Two: African Women’s Empowering Sociopolitical and Cultural Legacy

    Chapter 3: African Proverbs and African Traditional Religions

    Chapter 4: African Myths and Female Power

    Chapter 5: African Women Historical Figures and Political Agents

    Part Three: Christian Ethics and The Challenges of Women’s Political Participation

    Chapter 6: Catholic Social Teaching and Women’s Political Participation

    Chapter 7: Christian Discipleship and Women’s Political Participation

    Chapter 8: Women, Solidaristic Anger, and the Preferential Option for the Poor

    Part Four: African Women’s Voices: Implications to Christian and African Ethic

    Chapter 9: AfricanWomen Living as Risen Beings

    Chapter 10: African Women’s Solidarity, Hope, and Resilience

    Chapter 11: African Women as Loci Theologici: Ethical Implications

    Bibliography

    Index

    About the Author

Reviews
Reviews
  • With exhaustive research, profound insight, and great compassion, Léocadie W. Lushombo exposes the root causes of the anthropological poverty of women in Africa and advocates a Christian/African ethic for the empowerment of women and their full participation in political life as well as a radical spiritual renewal based on the reimagining of biblical and African texts in the light of resurrection faith. This is a monumental work to be studied, pondered, and lived.


    — Veronica Mary Rolf, author of Suddenly There is God


    Léocadie Lushombo provides a stimulating proposal for women who have customarily been denied a role in African political life. In developing her ethical argument she draws upon both traditional African social thought and the tradition of Catholic social teaching. However, she is no uncritical reader of these moral traditions. Lushombo offers a piercing assessment of how these traditions have been compromised by their male-dominated worldviews and complicit in the oppression of women. Yet, her critical retrieval of these traditions shows they can be utilized for a more promising ethical vision for African women than heretofore experienced.


    — Kenneth R. Himes, OFM, Boston College


    By engaging the wonderfully rich platform of anthropological poverty, Lushombo captures the complexities that compromise women's agency in the struggle for equity in Africa. Rather than speak for them, she raises up living beings whose own voices we can hear and that summon us to listen to them with her and to recognize their right to be heard. A solid, engaging, liberating work by a theologian of great depth and humanity.


    — James F. Keenan, S.J., Boston College


    Honest, courageous, compelling and profound—Léocadie Lushombo’s manifesto gives voice and hope to cruelly burdened African women, while inspiring solidarity and action among their allies everywhere. Uniquely woven from women’s stories, African traditional cultures and religion, Scripture, African postcolonial theology, African women’s theology, liberation theology, and Catholic social teaching, this marvelous work is a scholarly tour de force. Its distinctively African call for resistance to the reality of women’s suffering in the name of resurrection life speaks across continents with eloquence and passion.


    — Lisa Sowle Cahill, Boston College


    Lushombo's book adeptly centers African political theology and ethics in conversation with European theologians while keeping the real lives of African women as the core agents in the argument. This book is a substantial contribution to developing Catholic social thought, providing a challenging companion to read alongside Fratelli tutti.


    — Journal Of Catholic Social Thought


ALSO AVAILABLE

  • Cover image for the book Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action, Fourth Classroom Edition
  • Cover image for the book Happiness and the Christian Moral Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics, Fourth Edition
  • Cover image for the book Liberating People, Planet, and Religion: Intersections of Ecology, Economics, and Christianity
  • Cover image for the book Saving Memory and the Body of Christ: A Moral Liturgical Theology
  • Cover image for the book A Political Theology of the Bureaucratic State: The Anonymous Sovereigns
  • Cover image for the book Architecture, Theology, and Ethics: Making Architectural Design More Just
  • Cover image for the book Change Agent Church in Black Lives Matter Times: Urgency for Action
  • Cover image for the book Moral Injury: A Guidebook for Understanding and Engagement
  • Cover image for the book The Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes: Biblical Studies and Ethics for Real Life
  • Cover image for the book Insurrectionist Wisdoms: Toward a North American Indigenized Pastoral Theology
  • Cover image for the book Rights, Virtue, and Others in MacIntyre: Community After the Fall
  • Cover image for the book Christian Theology After Christendom: Engaging the Thought of Douglas John Hall
  • Cover image for the book Biblical ABCs: The Basics of Christian Resistance
  • Cover image for the book Faiths in Green: Religion, Environmental Change, and Environmental Concern in the United States
  • Cover image for the book Christian Theology in the Age of Migration: Implications for World Christianity
  • Cover image for the book Enfleshing Theology: Embodiment, Discipleship, and Politics in the Work of M. Shawn Copeland
  • Cover image for the book The Colonial Compromise: The Threat of the Gospel to the Indigenous Worldview
  • Cover image for the book Christian Ethics for a Digital Society
  • Cover image for the book Christian Social Ethics
  • Cover image for the book Bonhoeffer and Climate Change: Theology and Ethics for the Anthropocene
  • Cover image for the book The Concept of Intrinsic Evil and Catholic Theological Ethics
  • Cover image for the book Radical Hospitality for a Prophetic Church
  • Cover image for the book Luther, Bonhoeffer, and Public Ethics: Re-Forming the Church of the Future
  • Cover image for the book The Politics of Jesús: A Hispanic Political Theology
  • Cover image for the book Word, Silence, and the Climate Emergency: God, Ekklesia, and Christian Doctrine
  • Cover image for the book Just Care: Ethical Anti-Racist Pastoral Care with Women with Mental Illness
  • Cover image for the book Theology and Black Mirror
  • Cover image for the book God, Race, and History: Liberating Providence
  • Cover image for the book A New Reading of Jacques Ellul: Presence and Communication in the Postmodern World
  • Cover image for the book Suffering and the Vulnerable Rule of God: A Feminist Epistemology
  • Cover image for the book Freedom Church of the Poor: Martin Luther King Jr's Poor People's Campaign
  • Cover image for the book Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action, Fourth Classroom Edition
  • Cover image for the book Happiness and the Christian Moral Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics, Fourth Edition
  • Cover image for the book Liberating People, Planet, and Religion: Intersections of Ecology, Economics, and Christianity
  • Cover image for the book Saving Memory and the Body of Christ: A Moral Liturgical Theology
  • Cover image for the book A Political Theology of the Bureaucratic State: The Anonymous Sovereigns
  • Cover image for the book Architecture, Theology, and Ethics: Making Architectural Design More Just
  • Cover image for the book Change Agent Church in Black Lives Matter Times: Urgency for Action
  • Cover image for the book Moral Injury: A Guidebook for Understanding and Engagement
  • Cover image for the book The Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes: Biblical Studies and Ethics for Real Life
  • Cover image for the book Insurrectionist Wisdoms: Toward a North American Indigenized Pastoral Theology
  • Cover image for the book Rights, Virtue, and Others in MacIntyre: Community After the Fall
  • Cover image for the book Christian Theology After Christendom: Engaging the Thought of Douglas John Hall
  • Cover image for the book Biblical ABCs: The Basics of Christian Resistance
  • Cover image for the book Faiths in Green: Religion, Environmental Change, and Environmental Concern in the United States
  • Cover image for the book Christian Theology in the Age of Migration: Implications for World Christianity
  • Cover image for the book Enfleshing Theology: Embodiment, Discipleship, and Politics in the Work of M. Shawn Copeland
  • Cover image for the book The Colonial Compromise: The Threat of the Gospel to the Indigenous Worldview
  • Cover image for the book Christian Ethics for a Digital Society
  • Cover image for the book Christian Social Ethics
  • Cover image for the book Bonhoeffer and Climate Change: Theology and Ethics for the Anthropocene
  • Cover image for the book The Concept of Intrinsic Evil and Catholic Theological Ethics
  • Cover image for the book Radical Hospitality for a Prophetic Church
  • Cover image for the book Luther, Bonhoeffer, and Public Ethics: Re-Forming the Church of the Future
  • Cover image for the book The Politics of Jesús: A Hispanic Political Theology
  • Cover image for the book Word, Silence, and the Climate Emergency: God, Ekklesia, and Christian Doctrine
  • Cover image for the book Just Care: Ethical Anti-Racist Pastoral Care with Women with Mental Illness
  • Cover image for the book Theology and Black Mirror
  • Cover image for the book God, Race, and History: Liberating Providence
  • Cover image for the book A New Reading of Jacques Ellul: Presence and Communication in the Postmodern World
  • Cover image for the book Suffering and the Vulnerable Rule of God: A Feminist Epistemology
  • Cover image for the book Freedom Church of the Poor: Martin Luther King Jr's Poor People's Campaign
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linked in icon NEWSLETTERS
ABOUT US
  • Mission Statement
  • Employment
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Statement
CONTACT
  • Company Directory
  • Publicity and Media Queries
  • Rights and Permissions
  • Textbook Resource Center
AUTHOR RESOURCES
  • Royalty Contact
  • Production Guidelines
  • Manuscript Submissions
ORDERING INFORMATION
  • Rowman & Littlefield
  • National Book Network
  • Ingram Publisher Services UK
  • Special Sales
  • International Sales
  • eBook Partners
  • Digital Catalogs
IMPRINTS
  • Rowman & Littlefield
  • Lexington Books
  • Hamilton Books
  • Applause Books
  • Amadeus Press
  • Backbeat Books
  • Bernan
  • Hal Leonard Books
  • Limelight Editions
  • Co-Publishing Partners
  • Globe Pequot
  • Down East Books
  • Falcon Guides
  • Gooseberry Patch
  • Lyons Press
  • Muddy Boots
  • Pineapple Press
  • TwoDot Books
  • Stackpole Books
PARTNERS
  • American Alliance of Museums
  • American Association for State and Local History
  • Brookings Institution Press
  • Center for Strategic & International Studies
  • Council on Foreign Relations
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
  • Fortress Press
  • The Foundation for Critical Thinking
  • Lehigh University Press
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Other Partners...