Mission Churches and African Customary Marriage

Abstract

"This article traces the historical and theological development, discussion and practice of the European-oriented tradition of Church marriages in Africa. Mission organisations imposed this tradition on African Christians in the name of Christianity, resulting in social and moral dilemmas because of the coexistence of customary and civil systems of marriage-making in African society. If an African Christian couple consummate their marriage after a customary marriage celebration but before a church ‘marriage’ ceremony, church leaders are too ready to publicly pronounce stern discipline on them. The question is: whose marriage law would they have broken, since the Bible does not sanction church marriages? This paper, a theological and pastoral response to the dilemmas surrounding African Christian marriage-making, offers a practical paradigm shift in establishing valid and legitimate African Christian unions whilst meeting all the essential requirements for a customary and civil (church) marriage. This approach would also reduce the incidents of moral confusion and conflict that presently confront African Christians at marriage."