Catholics and the End of the French Empire in Sub-Saharan Africa

FAIN: FA-232214-16

Elizabeth Ann Foster
Tufts University (Somerville, MA 02144-2401)

A book-length study of Catholic positions on the future of French Africa from 1945 until 1965.

Decolonizing Faith will be an innovative historical book-length study that crosses borders between France and its sub-Saharan African colonies to delve into the complexity of Catholic positions on the future of French Africa before and just after independence, from 1945 until 1965. Linking European history, African history, and religious studies, it will examine decolonization from an entirely new angle. It will bring to life a Franco-African Catholic world that had been forged by conquest, colonization, missions, and conversions. Its denizens, who included French missionaries in Africa, their superiors in France, African Catholic students in France destined to become leaders in their home countries, African Catholic intellectuals, young African clergymen, and French and African lay activists, were all preoccupied with the future of France’s African colonies, the place of Catholicism in Africa, and whether their loyalties should lie with the Vatican, France, or emerging African states.

Associated Products

African Catholic: Decolonization and the Transformation of the Church (Book)
Title: African Catholic: Decolonization and the Transformation of the Church
Author: Elizabeth A. Foster
Abstract: Makes original contributions to French history, African history, the history of Catholicism, and religious studies. The book approaches the history of late colonialism and decolonization in French sub-Saharan Africa from an entirely new political and cultural perspective, by examining it through the prism of religion. Drawing on a plethora of African and French voices, it brings to life a Franco-African Catholic world that had been forged by conquest, colonization, missions, and conversions, and still exists today. Its denizens were preoccupied with the future of France's African colonies, the place of Catholicism in Africa, and whether their personal loyalties should lie with the Vatican, France, or emerging African states. Many leading African intellectuals were Catholics, and the book shows that there was an important Catholic strand of the negritude movement, which has been completely ignored by scholars and impacted the church at the highest levels. This finding contributes to the book's new, striking story of Catholic reform at mid-century, showing how decolonization was a pivotal factor in the reorientation of the church at Vatican II.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.worldcat.org/title/african-catholic-decolonization-and-the-transformation-of-the-church/oclc/1083120283&referer=brief_results
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 9780674987661
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

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