At the close of last week that is on Thursday 21st November 2024, Pope Francis issued a document reminding us of the great importance of studying Church history. It is quite a pertinent and existential document that reminds us all that we are what we are because of what we have gone through. The famous dictum popularised by Cicero (43 BC) goes Historia est magistra vitae meaning history is a teacher of life or to paraphrase it one can say we learn from history. The study of the past makes us confront the future with a lot of foresight.
For quite a while Church history has been taken as a peripheral subject for one doing Theology. I fully agree with the Pope that Church history should not just be an addendum but a scientific discipline of its own. He talks of “doing church history”. The Pope rightly notes that church history should not just be a narration of events that happened in the past. It should be a study, not just gossip, superficial readings or the “cut and paste” of Internet summaries.
Indeed, Church historians are not apologists but they help to trace the journey the believing community has taken over the centuries. Some moments may not have not have been so edifying but they are part of the journey. The good and the bad have made the Church to be what it is today. White-washed history does not do us any good. I suppose even the sad moments during the dark ages helped the Church to shape itself.
It is my sincere desire that Church historians and the Church at large will have deeper and more enriching conversations about this document issued by Pope Francis about the importance of studying Church history.
Fr. Joseph NGULU
Hekima University College
Historian
