Do U.S. bishops, pastors, religious sisters or should be priests, religious and lay ecclesial ministers experience any difficulties or challenges in working with African priests and religious?
Most bishops, priests and religious are so appreciative of the gifts and dedication that African priests and religious bring to this country that they would probably hesitate to mention such challenges. They are certainly minor when compared with the positive experiences. Perhaps the most significant challenge is associated with the process of adapting to and understanding the differences between the style and pace of the ecclesial situation in the U. S. and that in various African countries. Life here is fast paced, with an emphasis on getting as much done as possible. This leads to a focus on efficiency and punctuality that is different from the slower-paced African societies. Because of the African respect for authority and hierarchical structures, missionaries may not be as comfortable as Americans are in taking the initiative in ministries that have not been assigned to them. They may sometimes think it is inappropriate to be self-starters. Similarly, when exercising authority in
