1has a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Maseno University (Kenya) and Baccalaureate in Theology, Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Urbaniana University (Rome). He is currently pursuing a PhD in Religious Studies at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (Kenya). He has been involved in quite a number of field researches, lately on "Inclusive Education" in Siaya County schools, sponsored by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Kenya. Ephraim is Currently teaching at Rongo University (Kenya) at the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities. In the past (2016 to 2017), he taught at Kisii University (Kenya). He also in the past (2013 to 2017) examined research projects of Kenya Medical Training College (Siaya Campus)
Infertility in marriage is generally viewed as something unfortunate by many cultures. Each community desires to have itself perpetuated through the birth of children. The traditional Luo society strived toward its perpetuation and in cases of infecundity, solutions such as polygamy and sororate marriages were employed. Such solutions are however incompatible with the teachings of the Catholic Church. This incompatibility of cultures leaves the childless Catholic Luo couples in a dilemma since the Church condemns cultural practices such as polygamy. The findings are part of a larger study that was done in Western Kenya, through a cross-sectional field research. The study targeted Catholic childless couples, Priests, Catechists and Small Christian Community (SCC) leaders. Samples for the study were drawn from these target groups using snowball (for childless couples), purposive (priests and catechists), and, systematic sampling (for SCC leaders). Data was collected through in-depth oral interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The study indicates that couples who are childless result to various traditional remedies to beget children. The teachings of the Catholic Church conflict with the traditional Luo worldview on involuntary childlessness. Whereas the Catholic Church does not see any problem with involuntary childlessness, the Luo cannot withstand this since children are important for the cementing of the marriage. The childless couples face many socio-religious challenges like social alienation, stigmatization, loneliness, being despised among others; such challenges may interfere with their participation in the Church. Such a scenario interfere with the pastoral ministry of the church since these couples may engage in what the Catholic Church term as `irregular unions’. This may lead some members to join NRMs which would accept them and others will avoid Church marriages. There are cultures that appreciate voluntary childlessness however such a phenomenon is strange among the Luo of Western Kenya. They expect that a marriage ought to be fruitful. The author explores some of these challenges that involuntary childlessness pose to the pastoral ministry of the Catholic Church.
Involuntary childlessness, Marriage, Luo, Catholic Church
