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1
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN MANAGEMENT OF CHURCHES: A STUDY OF CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF
IDAH, KOGI STATE
BY
IYERE, IMHOGHEMHE JOHN (REV.FR.)
REG. No. PG/MA/2005/40208
DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
DECEMBER 2008
2
CERTIFICATION
This project has been certifed as having met the requirement of the Department of Mass
Communication and the school of Postgraduate Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
for the Award of a Master of Arts Degree in Mass Communication.
By
..........................................
RAY A. UDEAJAH, Ph.D.
(PROJECT SUPERVISOR)
.........................................
CHURCH SOLOMON AKPAN, Ph.D.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION)
...........................................
EXTERNAL EXAMINER
DEDICATION
3
This research work is dedicated to the memory of Late Patrick Sani with whom we
started this programme but died suddenly on December 6th, 2006 before its completion.
4
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
My profound gratitude goes to Almighty God for all His cares for me throughout the
course of this programme whihc was very demanding because of my many pastoral
activities in the diocese of Idah.
I thank my Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. E.S.Obot who permitted me to lecture at Kogi State
University, Anyigba. His fatherly, moral and spiritual supports in all academic exploit
are quite appreciated.
The authorities of Kogi State University, Anyigba deserve my thanks for promoting and
encouraging academic scholarship. Prof. F.S.Idachaba (OFR) the former Vice Chacellor
of the University really challanged me and others to plunge deeply into ocean of
academic research work. He deserve my thanks for her is my academic model.
I humbly bow and duff my hat my supervisor and Head of Department of Mass
Communication (UNN) Dr. Ray Udeajah for his patience, availability, personal phone
calls and firm stand for academic excellence which fueled my spirit at ever stage of this
research work. Accept my appreciation, Sir.
I am equally appreciative of all the efforts made by my lecturers of the Department of
Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to give us (students) thier level
best in their lectures with limited facilities at thier disposal. I therefore say to you Dr.
Ray Udeajah, Dr. Akpan, M.N.Okoro (for HOD Mass Communication) M. Anorue and
E.O Ohaja that what I harvested from your intellectual farms really opened my eyes to
the wide world of Informaton and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The articles I
have published in some Journal of Mass Communication during the course of this
programme are eloquent testimony of your sound academic base.
To my spiritual son and collegues Chris Attaf of the Department of Mass
|Communication, Kogi State University, Anyigba (K.S.U) i express my thanks for his
moral, finanical and intelletual support in the course of this academic programme. It is
rare to have this kind in today’s citadel of academics.
5
I want to sincerely acknowledge the immense contributions – moral and financial
support extended to me by a friend and classmate of this programme Danaan, Naaland
Godfrey. His pieces of advice really helpted me in some occassions when i felt that my
ego was insulted unnecessarily, and wanted to discontinue the programme. I shall
eternally remember all the contributions you made Godfrey. Thanks you! Further more,
to my other classmates in the programme – Barry, Diamond, Okechukwu and others – i
say thank you for ther spiritual and intellectual brotherliness that radiated between us. It
is an unforgettable experience.
To my young academic, Anthony, Chinedu Ekwueme, lecturer in the Department of
Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I say thank you for being a
trustworthy person, and for all that you did for me. He helpted me to buy the form of the
programme and encouraged me throughout the course of study. I shall live to
reciprocate this kind gesture of his.
Finally, my appreciation goes to my relations Paul Amedu, Richard Iyere, Joy Iyere
(Senior), Rita Iyere, Patience Iyere, Mrs. Monica Iyere, Moses Adeyemi and Vitus
Odoh for thier individual and collective contributions during the perios of study and
research work. And to all others whose names are not mentioned here, I say may God
reward you for your various contributions during the course of this academic
programme.
IYERE, IMHOGHEMHE JOHN (REV.FR.)
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 5
1.3 Objective of the study 5
1.4 Significance of the study 6
1.5 Research Question 6
1.6 Theoretical Framework 7
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the study 10
1.8 Definition of Terms 10
References 13
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction 15
2.1 Communication and its Element 16
2.2 Elements Involved in Communication Process 19
2.3 Feedback and Noise in Communication Process 23
2.4 ICTs and Administration of Churches 26
2.4.1 Downward Communication 29
2.4.2 Horizontal Communication 30
7
2.4.3 Upward Communication 31
2.4.4 Informal Communication (Grapevine) 35
2.5 ICTs and Evangelization 46
References
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOGY
3.1 Research Design 49
3.2 Population of study 49
3.3 Sample Technique 50
3.4 Sampling |Technique 51
3.5 Instrument of Data Collection 51
3.6 Method of Data Collection 52
3.7 Method of Data Analysis 52
Reference
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION
AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Demographic Data 54
4.2 Response to Reseach Question 56
4.2.1 Research Questions 1 57
4.2.2 Research Quesstions 2 59
4.2.3 Research Quesstions 3 61
4.2.4 Research Quesstions 4 63
4.2.5 Research Quesstions 5 65
4.3 Summary of Findings 67
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 69
5.2 Conclusion 74
5.3 Recommendations 75
8
Biblography 78
Appendices 82
LIST OF TABLES
Pages
Table 1 Demographic Characteristic of the Respondents 54
Table 2 Access of ICT Equipment 57
Table 3 Literacy Among Priests, Religious and Laity Members 59
Table 4 Usage of Communication Gadget in Parish Administration 62
Table 5 Factor (s) Militating Against ICTs in Idah Diocese
ABSTRACT Information and Communcation Technologies (ICTs) are significantly changing our old ways of sending, receiving, storing, retrieving and analysing messages and data. Every sphere of life is caught in this inevitable net of information revolution. The Church being a socio-religious organisation cannot afford to be passive observer in the many benefits and opportunities being offered by ICTs. This study thus took a critical look at Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the management of Churches with particular references to the Catholic Diocese of Idah is lagging behind in the utilisation of ICTs in the daily management of her Churches.
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Each day the wheel of progress continues to turn bringing about significant
changes in human endeavours. Man, the rational animal on the face of the earth,
has from crude methods of communication developed highly sophisticated ways
of communicating. The new Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) are rapidly changing our old ways of sending, receiving, storing and
9
analyzing messages and data. Many barriers that militated against effective
communication are day-after-day being dismantled. Every sphere of life is now
caught in this inevitable web of information revolution. Reflecting on this era of
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Toffler (980:9) has this to
say:
A new civilization is emerging in our lives, and blind men everywhere are trying to suppress it. This new civilization brings with it new family styles; changed ways of working, loving and living, a new economy; new political conflicts; and beyond all this an altered consciousness as well. Pieces of this new civilization exist today.
No doubt ICT is rapidly constructing the rhythms of tomorrow’s style and
no one can stop it. Communication strengthens life, makes it enjoyable and
meaningful. McBride et al, (1980:3) put it this way:
Communication maintains life. It is also the motion and expression of social activities and civilization; it leads various processes and systems of enquiry, command and control; it creates a common pool of ideas, strengthens the feeling of togetherness through exchange of messages and translates thought in action, reflecting every emotion and need from the humblest tasks of human survival to supreme manifestations of creativity-or destruction.
The birth of the Internet has greatly revolutionalized communication
systems globally. This global network of computers has injected more strength
10
into Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) dominated by the
developed countries. In developed and les developed countries many media
institutions, schools and colleges, organizations, individuals now make
tremendous use of the Internet (Net) on daily basis to send and receive
information within and outside their countries. The “Global Village” is rapidly
turning into a “Global Parlour”. We now live in a world of “e-communication”.
Putting it in its rightful perspective Okoro (2006:5) says:
Today, our world has become a world of fax machines, mobile phones, computers, satellites, videotext, telex cable, you name it, thus giving rise to life of ... e-learning, e-business, e-trading, e-mail, e-library, e-fund transfer, e-banking, e-conferencing, e-enterprise, e-research, and the like. In this globalize world of computer mediated communication and cyberspace, life and things move at a fast clip while man adapts his behaviour to match the tempo of change.
This global growth of telecommunications industry is making many
countries, especially the less developed countries, feel uneasy for they strongly
believe that what is happening now in the field of telecommunications will set
terms of life in the near future just as 19th country industrialization set terms of
life for our present ear. In deed, many nations strongly believe that sovereignty,
economic, social, political and religious affairs and other national issues, now and
tomorrow, will greatly depend on telecommunications. It thus follows that to be
left behind in the telecommunications “hot race” means disaster (Iyere, 2001:92).
11
Sherafini (1981:13) commenting on the new Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) maintains that:
The information revolution is a worldwide phenomenon causing significant structural changes in economics of all countries, regardless of national differences in industrial revolution, the information revolution is unavoidable. Consequently, the objectives of public policy should be not to prevent the revolution from occurring, but rather to turn it to our advantage.
In Nigeria, today, the whirlwind of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) is engulfing many cities, towns and villages. Both young
and old in Nigeria are thus happily embracing the ICTs inevitable grip.
Ginikanwa (2007:124) sums up the situation this way:
Presently, there is an explosion in information generation and transmission around the globe fostered by the over whelming advancements in information communication technologies. Nigeria is not an exception in the present trend. There are a myriad of ICTs available to organizations in Nigeria which the Corporate Communication Manager can utilize to improve his information output.
The Church, being a human organization, cannot be a passive observer of
the vast arrays of developments in Communication Technology. This is because
she has to adequately use them for effective and efficient management,
administration and evangelization of people in the world. In fact, the Church has
to use the mass media available in our time to properly execute God’s mandate to
12
her “Go, teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We support the views of Azuzu
(1987:15) that:
...Communication is a ministry and it is needed everywhere in the Church today than ever before. This fact should strike a meaningful note in the hearts of every commitment Christian in our time. The response should be demonstrated in having men and women who identify themselves professionally to tackle the challenging problems, and of enormous dimensions posed for the Church in this media-invaded world of ours.
The thrust of this research work, therefore, is to x-ray or bring to the fore
the imperativeness of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in
the management of Churches with particular reference to the Catholic Diocese of
Idah, Kogi State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Significant changes in various aspects of human life are recorded daily as a
result of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As a human
organization, the Church cannot afford to be a passive observer of the fascinating
benefits and challenges the new information revolution presents to mankind in
this 21st century. Some Church authorities, especially those in major cities and
towns in Nigeria, have taken dynamic and progressive steps to use some of the
13
tools of information technology in their daily management, administration and
evangelization of people.
This study thus takes a firm stand by positing that Churches in the Catholic
Diocese of Idah, should make adequate use of the abundant resources information
and communication technology presents, if they are to be relevant and dynamic
participants in the ongoing information revolution.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The following are the objectives of the study:
i. To find out the level of exposure of the priests, religious and members of
the laity in the Catholic Diocese of Idah to modern communication outlets.
ii. To articulate the benefits and challenges of computer literacy to priests,
religious and laity members of the Catholic Diocese of Idah.
iii. To find out the extent to which priests in the Catholic Diocese of Idah use
modern communication gadgets in the management of their parishes.
iv. To bring to the fore the factors militating against better and wider use of
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Catholic
Diocese of Idah.
v. To proffer solutions to the identified problems because of the importance
of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in effective
management of parishes.
14
1.4 Significance of the Study
The significance of the study is to make the Catholic Diocese of Idah see
the importance of the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
in management of Churches. It will also help the diocese in efficient and effective
planning and execution of her daily pastoral programmes and activities within and
outside the diocese. Equally, the study being the first of its kind in the diocese,
future researchers will find it very useful as it forms a springboard for further
research work in related areas.
1.5 Research Questions
Bearing in mind the objectives of this study, the following constitute our
research questions:
i. What is the level of exposure of the priests, religious and members of laity
in the Catholic Diocese of Idah to modern communications outlets?
ii. Is computer literacy taken seriously by priests, religious and laity members
of the Catholic Diocese of Idah?
iii. To what extent do the Priests in the Catholic Diocese of Idah use these
communication gadgets in management of their parishes?
15
iv. What do you consider as factors militating against better and wider use of
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in the Catholic
Diocese of Idah?
v. What do you consider as solutions to these problems considering their
importance in effective management of parishes?
1.6 Theoretical Frame Work
The following theories are used in this research work:
a. Diffusion of Innovation theory
b. Uses and Gratification theory.
1.6.1 Diffusion of Innovation Theory
It was Everett Rogers who propounded this theory in 1983. It has to do
with the process of spreading any kind of new technical device, idea or useful
information in a given environment. The thrust of this theory is that not every
person embraces a new idea or technical device, at the same time. It takes a
gradual progression. With an S-shaped pattern it starts or begins with a slow
staring, a high rate of adoption and a long tail. According to Rogers (1983) there
are five types of people in any given society who have different levels of
willingness to accept new ideas or new devices that media present. They are
(McQuail, 2005:553):
16
i. Innovators: These are venturesome people who are eager to try new ideas.
Such people tend to be extroverts and politically liberal.
ii. Early Adopters: They are less venturesome than innovators; these people
still make a relatively quick but informed choice. This tendency marks them
out as important opinion leaders within their social groups.
iii. Early Majority: These people make careful and deliberate choice after
frequent interaction with their peers and with their opinion leaders. They
seldom act as opinion leaders themselves in their social setting or groups.
iv. Late Majority: The people tend to be skeptical and accept innovations less
often, when they do adopt an innovation, they often do so out of economic
necessity or increasing peer pressure.
v. Laggards: These people tend to be conservative< traditional and most
resistant to any type of change. Their point of reference tends to be the
past.
The researcher deems this theory appropriate for this study because if the
Catholic Diocese of Idah adopts the new Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) in her management, administration and evangelization of her
target members not every member would be carried along at the same time. The
graphic pattern presented by the Diffusion Innovation theory would be
experienced. For example, if the Diocese of Idah makes it mandatory for every
17
Catholic organization within her jurisdiction to embark on computer literacy with
the hope of “e-storing” Church official documents/records (like baptismal,
confirmation, marriage and death records) not all the lay faithful, Parishes,
Chaplaincies and other Catholic institutions would embrace the new idea at the
same time.
1.6.2 Uses and Gratification Theory
This theory was introduced by J.G. Blumber and E. Katz in 1974. The
theory sees media users as active rather than passive participants. The scholars
who propounded this theory maintained that a media user looks for the one that
he can adequately fulfill his needs. Equally, they suggest that media users
participate actively in the communication process and are therefore goal oriented
in their media use (Ike, 2005:236). According to Folarin (2005:65) by this theory
“the focus was thus shifted from media production and transmission functions to
media consumption function. Instead of asking, “What kinds of effect occur under
what conditions?” The question became “who uses which content from which
media under which conditions and for what reason?”
This theory is a version of “individual functional theory” and “active
audience theory” (McQuail, 2005). This theory is important in this research work
because the particular media that the Catholic Diocese of Idah would use in her
daily management, administration and evangelization of people have to be the
18
ones that the targeted audience(s) likes, beneficial and accessible to them. This
becomes imperative because the Catholic Diocese of Idah is situated in a rural
area of Kogi State facing rapid transformation in all sectors of life with the advent
of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study is basically limited to the Catholic Diocese of Idah in Kogi State
under Abuja Ecclesiastical Province. The scope is limited to Parishes,
Chaplaincies, Laity Council, and Catholic Institutions in Idah Diocese. All these
put together form the Catholic Diocese of Idah.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The following keywords are defined within the scope in which they are
used in this study:
• Administration: It is the organization and direction of persons in order to
accomplish a specific goal or end. Its main focus is on getting things done
through other people by planning, organizing, directing and controlling
(Adebayo, 1982:1).
• Computer Network: It is a system whereby two or more computers are linked
together with the ability to interact and exchange data (Hoffmann, 2007:71).
19
• Digital Computer: This is a computer that processes data-reduced to binary
code.
• Diocese: It is a portion of the people of God, which is entrusted to a Bishop to
be nurtured by him with the cooperation of the group of Priests and Religious
(The Code of Canon Law, 1983; 65; canon 369).
• Global Village: It is a concept by Marshall McLuhan (1964) that technologies
permit persons to become increasingly involved in one another’s live.
• Globalization: It has to do with the “overall process whereby the location of
production, transmission and reception of media context ceases to be
geographically fixed, partly as a technology, but also through international
media structure and organization” (McQuail, 2005:496).
• Internet: It is a global network of interconnected computers that communicate
freely and share and exchange information. It contains vast array of
information. (Agba, 2001:55; Stair, et al, 1998; Nwajinka, 2004:78).
• Lay Faithful: Members of the Church who are not members of the priestly
state or of an established religious order, (Schmaus, 1976:120).
• Management: It means to forecast, plan, organize, command, co-ordinate
and control human, non-human resources of an organization (Fayol, 1949).
20
• Organization: It is an “intricate human strategy designed to achieve certain
objectives”. It also means “a system of consciously co-ordinate activities or
forces of two or more persons” (Kelly, 1989:22).
• Parish: It refers to “a certain community of Christ’s faithful stably established
with a particular church, whose pastoral care under the authority of the
Diocesan Bishop is entrusted to a parish priest as its proper pastor” (The Code
of Canon Law, 1983:92; Canon 515:1).
• Tele-Evangelism: Using television medium to preach the word of God to
varied audiences.
• Virtual Community: It refers to personnel or group association formed on-line
via Internet exchanged and discussion. Virtual community is thought to have
many of the features of a real community, including identification, bonding,
shared norms and looks even without any physical contact or real personal
knowledge of other members (McQuail, 2005:504).
21
References
Adebayo, A. (1989). Principles and Practices of Public Administration in Nigeria. Ibandan: Spectrum Book Ltd.
Asuzu, B. (1987). Communication Media in Nigeria Church Today. Rome:
Tipografia Ugo Detti. Blumber, J. and Katz, E. (1973). The Uses of Mass Communication. Beverly Hills, CA:
Sage. Fayol, H. (1949). General and Industrial Administration. London: Sir Isaac Pitman &
Sons Ltd. Folarin, B. (2005). Theories of Mass Communication: An Introductory Text. 3rd ed.
Ibadan: Stirling-Horder Publishers (Nig) Ltd. Ginikanwa N. F. (2007). “ Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and
Corporate Communications Outputs A Critical Analysis” in Okoro (Ed)International Journal of Communication. Nsukka: Number Seven, December 2007.
Hoffmann, M. (2007). Dictionary of Mass Communication. New Deihi: Epp Books
Services Nigeria Ltd.
Iyere, J. (2006). “Internet Users in Developing Countries: Benefits and the Challenging Problems in Achor, E.E. (Ed) in NASHER JOURNAL, Nigeria. Vol. 4, No 2 December, Pp. 125-134.
Kelly, L. (1998). Communication in the Work Place: A Guide to Business and Professional Speaking. New York: Harper and Row Publishers.
McBride, S. et al (1980). Many Voices One World: Communication and Society
Today and Tomorrow. Ibadan: University Press. McQuail, D. (2005). Mass Communication Theory: An Introduction (5th ed.). London:
Sage Publications. Okoro, N. (2006). “The Church in an Era of Information Technology: Issues,
Expectations and Challenges”. A Paper Presented as Part of the Events Organized by the Social Communication of the Catholoic Diocese of Nsukka to Mark the 2006 World Communication Day. Pp. 1 – 10.
Rogers, E.M. (1983). The Diffusion of Innovations. Glencoe, IL: Free Press.
22
Schmaus, M. (1976). Dogma 4: The Church. Its Origin and Structure. London: Sheed &
Ward, Inc. Sharafini, S. and Andrieu, M. (1980). The Information Revolution and Its Implication
for Canada. Quebec: Canadian Government Publishing Center. The Code of Canon Law (1983). London: Collins Liturgical Publications. Toffler, A. (1980). The Third Wave. London: A Bantam Book, Willaim Morrow & Co.,
Inc.
23
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
In our human society that is so complex we have many kinds of
organizations. Some of these organizations are formal others are informal. And
because human beings are, social, political, and religious beings, organizations
are bound to be formed in various societies. As we live in an over changing world
with its complex nature, we cannot take care of all our myriads of needs, hence
the formation of organizations in which churches are inclusive. In the views of
Shockley-Zalabak (1988:30), organizations are “dynamic system in which
individual engage in collective effort for goal accomplishment ...” But one basic
fact is that in any organization, be it formal or informal, communication is
important. As Ginikanwa (2006:122 in Abodurin, 1995) asserts “every
organization has to communicate with its public about its operations,
achievements, intension, plans, prospects, and problems.”
Furthermore, Ginikanwa (2006:122) maintains that:
...an organization is an open system that interacts with its subsystem and its environment. This social interaction is an imperative if the organization must survive. Without this, such an organization will become a closed system. Closed systems are doomed to die. Information flow within and outside the organization provides the life blood necessary for organizational survival.
24
As secular organizations need communication to survive so also Churches
that are “spiritual organizations” Communication is the vital cord that binds
Churches Leaders, members, and non-members together.
2.1 Communication and Its Elements
Communication which is as old as the origin of humankind is an
indispensable feature of life. Communication has taken varied forms in the
history of man’s complex developmental feats. Communication is a process, not a
thing, and as we lie in an ever-changing world we continuously communicate
with both humans and non-humans. So, one would be right to say nothing really
is static in the universe. A communication scholar Berk (1972:31) affirms this
view when he said:
If we accept the concept of process, we view events and relationships as dynamic, on-going, exchanging, continuous. When we label something as a process, we also mean that it does not have a beginning an end, a fixed sequence of events. It is not static, at rest. It is moving...
A critical look at communication process would show that it starts from
oneself, and it is called intrapersonal communication. Patton et al, (1981:7)
maintains that if one observes oneself carefully one would notice that “signals are
going continuously from all parts of your body to your brain. A throbbing in your
stomach may suggest that you are hungry or that you have over-eaten or sick.” In
25
this respect, it is imperative that one develops consciousness of oneself which is
primary to all level of communication. May (1953:75) a psychologist points out
that:
The capacity for consciousness of ourselves gives us the ability to see ourselves as others see us and to have empathy with others. It underlies our remarkable capacity to transport ourselves into someone else’s parlour where we will be in reality next week, and then in imagination to think and plan how we will act.
Another aspect of communication is known as interpersonal
communication. This simply put is communication between two individuals. In
this interactive process one person communicates with another person on a face-
to-face basis. They can touch one another physically. But if it is machine-
mediated like the Internet physical touch is not possible. However, in
interpersonal communication each person involved plays the role of both sender
and receiver of information or messages, which involves constant adaptation and
spontaneous adjustment to the other person (Patton, 1981:12-14). It is quite
interesting to know that without one speaking a word one can still communicate
by non-verbal symbols which take various forms. Some of them are Kelly et al,
(1989:9), (a) Kinesics (posture, body movements, gestures and facial
expressions), (b) Haptics (touch), (c) Oculesies (eye behaviour), (d) Proxemics
(space and distance), (e) Paralanguage (vocal characteristics).
26
Clothing is another non-verbal form of communication. This is because our
mode of dress or clothing is capable of conveying many messages about us to
others who look at us or we interact with. Thourlby (1978:1) tells us that clothing
conveys at least ten types of messages to those who behold us:
1. Economic level 6. Economic background
2. Educational level 7. Social background
3. Trustworthiness 8. Educational background
4. Social position 9. Level of success
5. Level of sophistication 10. Moral character.
The assumptions about people we make are often based on their mode of
clothing. In most formal organizations, the mode of dressing is specified and it
has to be followed dogmatically. In this respect one is able to identify the
profession or type of job some people do by their clothing or uniform (Rodman,
1988:125). Well established Churches, like the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican
Church, Baptist Church and Christ Apostolic Church have varied patterns of
dressing for their pastors of souls and aspirants. In this era of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) one is able to see the mode of dressing of
many members of formal organizations including religious institutions or homes.
27
2.2 Elements Involved in Communication Process
The following are elements involved in communication process. (a)
Source, (b) encoding process, (c) message, (d) channel, (e) decoding process, (f)
receiver. We shall briefly discuss them.
(a). Source: This is the starter or originator of an idea or a thought which is
eventually transmitted to others in the communication process. A source
may be a person speaking, writings, drawing, gesture or a communication
organization like a newspaper, publishing house, television station, radio
station, a motion picture studio and so on (Mortensen, 1973:28).
(b). Encoding: It has to do with the activity in communication process by
which thoughts and ideas from a source are transmitted into a form that
may be perceived by the senses. If person A wishes to convey to person B a
MESSAGE which person B is likely to understand, then the message has to
be encoded with person B’s ability to decode the message – carrying
signals well in mind (Watson and Hill, 1993:67). Encoding in a
communication process or setting can take place one or more times.
(c). Message: It is the actual physical product in the communication process
that the source encodes. For example, when we talk to a person, our speech
is the message. When we write a letter or send text to our friends or
parents, or deliver a written speech to an audience, what we put down on
28
paper or screen is the message. (Watson, and Hill, 1993:16). In this era of
ICTs we are overloaded with myriads of informations or messages and we
have to chose the ones that are relevant to us.
(d). A Channel: This is the medium that is used to transmit messages from
source to destination. Equally, it is the way in which a message or
information travels to the receiver. For example, we are made to
comprehend that sound; waves carry spoken words, while light waves carry
our visual messages. Touch is regarded as a channel with respect to Braille.
According to Watson and Hill (1996:28):
Channels may be physical (our voices or bodies) technical (the TELEPHONE) or social (our schools, media etc). In business organizations or institutions they may be vertical, hierarchical, formal and predominantly one-way-from the boss downwards; or horizontal, democratic, informal and two-way as between workmates, and GROUPS with common task; interests and sympathies.
Interestingly, some message use more than one channel to travel to
the receiver. However, in all levels of society, we have channels of
communication, and access to a communication channel facilities
interactions between men, machines, group, organizations and mass
audience (Mortansen, 1973:137). In the view of Marshal McLuham (1966)
the “medium is the message.” ICTs have greatly increased many channels
of communication in this era in which Churches and other organizations
29
use to disseminate information to their various complex audiences. Church
administrators need adequate human and capital resources today than ever
to enable them communicate effectively to the world. These imperative
demands or needs are more on Churches in less developed countries, like
Nigeria, than those in developed countries that are at breast with the
development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
(e). Decoding: This is the activity in communication process by which physical
messages are transmitted into a form that has eventual meaning for the
receiver. In the views of Watson and Hill (1996:52) decoding is “the
process of interpreting, analyzing and understanding the nature of
messages-written, spoken, broadcast etc. This requires not just an
understanding of the words, signs or images used but also a sharing of
VALUES and assumptions which under pin their ENCODING into a
MESSAGE by the transmitter.” Moreover, decoding is the opposite of
encoding.
Managers of organizations and Churches in this era of ICTs have to
construct or package their informations or messages in such a away that the
large audience (receiver) would be able to decode them with ease – using
the channel(s) the receiver has access to without difficulty. To effectively
30
and efficiently perform this task is one of the many challenges facing our
Church leaders today.
(f). Receiver: The receiver is the principal or ultimate goal of a message or
information sent out. Yes, the target of the message or information is the
receiver and it can be a person, a group, an institution, a large crowd or a
machine. In communication process, the sender and receiver interchanges
roles as they communicate to each other. ICTs have greatly improved on
this interchangeability of roles. With the aid of Internet one can now
communicate with someone in many kilometers away on face-to-face basis
without physical touch. Tele-conferencing system has reduced distance for
individuals and corporate organizations. They can now have formal
meetings with ease. Tele-evangelism is becoming very popular with the
advent of ICTs. Many Church Ministers now preach the word of God to
many near and distant and complex audiences via satellite-communication
system.
With the aid of other complex, Information and Communication
Technologies receivers of information or messages are having a good day.
Quick information or messages is now at the disposal of the receivers.
Senders of information or messages are also better off today than many
31
years ago. With the advent of ICTs packaging and dissemination of
messages or information is cheaper and quicker to day than ever before.
2.3 Feedback and Noise in Communication Process
Feedback, simply put, is the responses of the receiver of a message or
information that shape and alter subsequent messages from the source. According
to Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary (1972), feedback is the return of part
of the output of a system to the input as a means towards improved quality or
self-correction of error. Feedback is thus the reversal of the flow of
communication that is, the original source becomes the receiver; the original
receiver becomes the new source.
Furthermore, there are two kinds of feedback – positive and negative.
Interestingly, positive feedback encourages the communication behaviour of the
receiver, and negative feedback attempts to change the communication or stop it.
In the views of Hilbert et al, (1985:31) “Feedback is institutionalized,
representative, and indirect when evaluated in mass communication terms.”
Feedback can be immediate or delayed. In interpersonal communication,
feedback is quicker than when one writes a letter to his or her parents living far
away. The advent of ICTs has greatly reduced delay in feedback processes. For
example, Internet facility, teleconferencing, GSM system and radio phone in
programmes have greatly reduced the delay in feedback that was previously
32
existing. Some Church leaders and managers of organizations or institutions are
utilizing the latest Information and Communication Technologies facilities to
send, receive, store and restrive information more efficiently than before. In
essence these rapid communication equipments now make feedback very quick.
Noise is seen as anything that interferes with the effective dissemination of
information or message. It basically has to do with any kind of disturbance in
transmission, conflict in sender or receiver (Watson and Hill (1996:130). No form
of communication is totally free of noise, though some are highly susceptible to
interference by noise than others. Hiebert et al, (1985:31-32) tell us that:
Mass communication has an increased possibility of media distortion and noise; and noise in the mass communication process can occur at any point, not simply in the medium. Because of its public nature, mass communication allows more interruption on a few broader levels than interpersonal communication. Noise can occur in a variety of forms: static on radio or television, a poorly printed newspaper, an out-of-focus motion picture.
Furthermore, the types of noise we have are (i) semantic, (ii) mechanical
noise, (iii) visual noise and (iv) psychological noise. To achieve an effective
communication one should work hard to minimized the mentioned types of noise.
And the way to measure communication effectiveness is by the use of this
formular (Akpan, 1987:65):
33
P - meaning = I G - meaning What the above formular means is that when perceived meaning (P) tallies
with the generated meaning (G), then perfect communication occurs. But we
should bear in mind that to have perfect communication, one has to get ride of all
the component of noise. This is very necessary because noise is a form of
distraction in communication process and it delays one from getting the essential
information (Akpan, 1987:65). It is gratifying that in this era of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) noise in the process of communication has
been reduced, especially mechanical noise. However, Church leaders, like
managers of organization, have to work hard to eliminate noise in the process of
disseminating the Good News of God to their target audiences. They have to be
mindful of psychological noise that comes from their workers especially ministers
of the Word of God. For example, the sexual immorality or irresponsibility’s
pervading in the Catholic Churches in the United States of America (U.S.A.)
among the clergymen had cost the Churches there millions of dollars for court
settlements. The “psychological noise” has weakened the faith of many Catholic
believers. Many people get to know about this scandal and others in the Church
cycles because of the available information technologies, like the Internet.
34
Equally, the responses and measures taken by the Church leaders were made
know to the public world-wide through the mass media of communication.
2.4 ICTs and Administration of Churches
The importance of communication in human society has long been
recognized and emphasized by both scholars and practicing human resources
managers. And Chester (1938) states that communication is the means by which
people are linked together in an organization to achieve a definitive purpose. No
doubt this is the fundamental function of communication. As a human
organization the Church needs communication to carry out her daily activities.
That is to say that Church leaders have to fashion out effective means of
communication to enable them execute administrative activities within the
Church set-up and outside the Church. Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) today are helping Churches tremendously in their local,
state, national and international activities. Interestingly ICT is an umbrella term
that encompasses any communication device or application such as radio,
television, cellular phones, computer (hardware and software), satellite systems,
Internet and the web system. Commenting on ICTs Nwodu (2002:35) says:
The introduction of ICTs has ushered in greater speed, greater reach and clear vision in communication. Again they have encouraged to a large extent, interaction and participatory communication among people of the world.
35
The love affairs between computers and telecommunication “is the
material force of the consistent technology of communication” (Gandy, 1989) and
Solo (1982:224) tells us that “these sets of technologies are moving into
conjunction possible to be common component part of an integral functional
system, tying the massive, low cost, global transmission of image, sound and
recorded observation low cot capacity to store, organize, automatically interpret
or otherwise, programme the use of that which has been transmitted.” The
revolution of Information Technology (IntroTech) came as a result of the
discovery and invention of the computer and the development of satellite
technology and the result of their use has led to globalization of things especially
information (Mbam, 2006:63).
The Internet Technology has greatly contributed to the effective and
efficient communication systems most formal and informal organizations are
enjoying today. The term “Internet” comes from the phrase, “International
Computer Network.” (Ibemesi, 2007:252). The Internet Technology according to
The Cambridge Encyclopedia (2000) is “an association of computer networks
with common standards which enable messages to be sent from any host on one
network to any host on any other” and it was “developed in 1970s in the USA as
an experimental network, designed to support military research and steadily grew
to include federal, regional, campus and other users.” This piece of technology
36
called the Internet (Net) has a lot to offer its users. Ibemesi (2007:252)
summarizes what the Internet offers its users thus:
The Internet offers to its users, five basic services as follows: the Electronic Mail (E-mail) the Usenet, the Internet delay chat, the Word Wide Web (www) and the browser. With these five main services, accessing and exchanging of information on any imaginable topic is facilitated to an unprecedented level by this multimedia system. The Internet apart from being a medium of telecommunication itself also aids other telecommunication modes like telephony facsimile (fax), broadcasting, etc.
Bearing in mind the above brief discussion on ICTs one can now have a
broad spectrum on how Church leaders or managers of formal organizations can
make adequate use of the components of ICTs for proper office management,
dissemination, storage and retrieving of valuable information and ideas. In a
formal organization, like the Catholic Church, there exist clear channels of
communication system that flows in three directions. They are:
• downward communication
• horizontal communication
• upward communication
• informal communication-grapevine.
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2.4.1 Downward Communication
Like interpersonal communication, this system of communication is much
initiated by those in the realm of affairs like managers, Church leaders sent down
to their workers (employees) or members of the Church. This in essence means a
superior giving instruction orally or written to a subordinate worker(s) or Church
member(s) to execute some activities, or just a feedback. It is worthy of note that
this system of communication is used by Church leaders and managers of
organizations for many reasons – like communication with their subordinates to
feed them with some vital information, instructions, to share information, to
criticize, to command and to motivate (Kelly et al, 1989:27). And the major
channels Church leaders (Catholics) use in downward communication include:
a. The chain of command
b. Bulletins, posters and bulletin boards
c. Circulars and encyclicals
d. Hand bills and Church periodicals
e. Senate of Priests reports and minutes
f. Annual report from various associations and committees
g. Text messages and inter com system.
h. Messengers, radio and Tv announcements.
i. E-mail and fax messages.
38
Catholic Churches in town and cities make use of the above named
channels than those in the rural areas. Churches in developed counties are more
advanced in their communication channels than those in the less developed
countries. However, important as the above channels are, it is the leader (s) of a
particular Church that selects the channels he would use. Some times the
downward communication is criticized by members of the church. One
occasionally hears such expression, “what’s wrong with our communication
system? Is this coming from the chaplaincy, or parish, or diocese?” “No useful
information is coming from up to us” (Woolcott et al, 1977:4). It is thus very
important to know that it behoves on various Church leaders and managers of
organization to develop an effective and efficient communication system with
their members. To ignore this brings about misunderstanding, mistrust, rumours,
protests and conflict and crisis.
2.4.2 Horizontal Communication
This type of communication is that which information flows between
members of an organization. By this system of communication, members or
employees on the same level are able to effectively communicate among
themselves in order to properly coordinate activities, to solve problems, to share
information among departments and associations, to resolve inter-departmental
conflicts, and to establish spiritual, emotional and social support system.
39
According to Kelly (1987) horizontal communication is an important instrument
for cooperation and coordination in an organization. This communication flow
does exist in well established Churches, like the Catholic Churches in Nigeria
bearing in mind that Churches are human organizations. ICTs have contributed
immensely for a smooth flow of this type of communication system.
2.4.3 Upward Communication
This is the opposite of downward communication. Upward communication
deals with information emanating from subordinates to the superior(s). In a well
structured organizations subordinates use this system of communication to make
positive suggestions, to air dissatisfactions, to seek vital information, to impress
their managers or superiors, to provide feedback about work done, and to reduce
the psychological distance between themselves and their managers, or leaders or
superiors.
In this era of ICTs here are some of the channels for upward
communication that one finds in most formal organizations including the Catholic
Churches in Nigeria. They are:
a. Chain of command f. Counseling
b. Open door policy g. Text messages
c. Informers h. Morale questionnaire
d. The grievance procedure i. Ombudsman.
40
e. Interviews (print & electronic media) j. Labour unions.
Many scholars, Church leaders and managers strongly believe the
imperativeness of upward communication, for it helps to promote good human
relations which any human organizations worth its salt should work hard to
maintain positively. In fact, through this type of channel, Church leaders and
managers are able to carefully monitor the feelings of members or workers and
take appropriate action to correct what would otherwise lead to misunderstanding
or costly crisis or conflict. Interestingly, employees or workers or Church
members who feel that management system of communication is good, maintains
an open door policy, would have a feeling of belonging and the work done or
contribution is appreciated. However, where this scenario does not exist
employees or members would believe that they are mere members of the
organization, a cost of production and a square peg in a round hole. In such a
situation the employees or members often look for the opportunity of pouring out
their pent-up grievances thereby promoting labour-management conflicts.
Having discussed formal systems of communication in a well structured
organization we shall now briefly treat informal communication system which if
not well handled by management of an organization it can lead to serious negative
effects.
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2.4.4 Informal Communication (Grapevine)
As we have formal systems of communication in an organization we also
have informal one. This channel of communication called “grapevine” is difficult
to eliminate completely in a human organization. It is sometimes stronger than
formal channels of communication, especially where the vertical lines in the
formal network are very weak. The “grapevine” or “jungle telegraphs” operates
most effectively horizontally between members of the some department. Often
information carried in this channel (grapevine) is referred to as “rumour and
gossip”. Hoffman (2007:253-254) referred to rumour as:
A piece of purportedly true information that circulates without substantiating evidence. The information content/pay load of rumours can range from simple gossip to advanced propaganda techniques. Classically, rumours spread from person to person by word of mouth, as in gossip. Cheap postage rates and then telephone services formented the pace and range of the swirling of rumours. With the advent of the Internet many rumours have started to spread via e-mail and more recently through blogging, as also occur with various hoaxes and urban legends.
Information in grapevine moves faster, especially if it affects employees or
members directly on matters like wages, lay off, disciplinary actions, promotion
and labour-management issues. Keith (1954:212 – 217) outlined some of the
basic characteristics of the grapevine as:
• People talk most when the news is recent.
42
• People talk about things that affect their lives.
• People talk about people they know.
• People working near each other are likely to be on the same grapevine.
• People who contact each other and in the chain of procedure tend to be on the
same grapevine.
Organization management abhors grapevine because of the half-truth or
false information it perpetrates which threatens the survival of the organization.
But management can effectively use grapevine to its advantage by passing
information through it to employees or members about the good intention of the
organization. This strategy should be controlled by management (including
Church authorities) so as not to get negative information disseminated instead of
the intended one. Any attempt by an organization to eliminate grapevine
communication will only increase its promotion. What organizations can do is to
fortify their formal channels of communication to counteract that of the
grapevine. It is imperative that right information is supplied at all time.
Commenting on the importance of effective communication in an organization
Shockley-Zalabark (1988:201) said:
Communication relationships between managers and subordinates influence innovation, decision making work satisfaction, perceptions of organization climate. Leadership communication, whether exhibited by managers or other influential
43
organizational members, becomes the vision of the organization that directs all organizational activity.
To bring about effective communication and avoid the negative effects of
grapevine communication in an organization, managers must (Nwachukwu,
1988:174):
i. Keep the channel of communication open;
ii. Give timely information on issues that affect the welfare of employees;
iii. Management must strive to build credibility and faith in the communication
that originates from it;
iv. Management must analyze rumours and replace them with facts, and;
v. Employees who pedal rumours must be held accountable for their actions.
The above stated points and guidelines should be embraced by Church
authorities, with particular reference to the Catholic Churches in Nigeria. This
would lead to proper management of their Churches and effective evangelization
of souls.
2.5 ICTs and Evangelization
The Print Media
The Church founded by Christ is given a specific mission and mandate:
I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name
44
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).
This in essence means that the Church is mandated to preach the Good
News of God’s kingdom to all peoples on earth. She is to evangelize. This is the
“teaching mission of the Church by which she brings the Gospel message to non-
believers and the non-baptized in the world, which Christ Jesus, the Lord and
Saviour mandated her to do through the Apostles” (Nwabude, 2008:89). The
Church, therefore, has to use available means of communication of her time to
evangelize all races on earth. Instruments of social communications exist in every
society, for the Church to use to inform, educate and entertain. Goodall
(1968:391) affirms this view when he says:
Every society needs forms of communication with the necessary power and flexibility both to establish its sense of social awareness and to express itself to itself. Press, radio, film, television, have an important role to play as the agora and town meeting of technological society.
The early apostles who were the first to execute the missionary mandate of
Christ never had the vast array of sophisticated media of communication at our
disposal today. With the limited ones they had they took the Good News to the
end of the world and we are beneficiaries of their hard work and foresightedness.
The Church today would be held responsible if she fails to maximally use the
45
modern media of communication at her disposal in this era. This statement by
Evangelii Nuntiadi must be taken seriously by the authorities of the Roman
Catholic Church in Nigeria, particularly Catholic Diocese of Idah. It states (as
cited in Asuzu 1987:13):
The Church would feel guilty before the Lord if she did not utilize these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect. It is through them that she proclaims “from the house tops” the message of which she is the depository (EN: No.45)
In 1622 the Roman Catholic Church set up an organization to carry on
missionary work. It is called “The congregation for the propagation of faith”
(Propaganda Fide ). The organization was instituted by Pope Gregory XV
(Walson and Hill, 1993:152). The word “Popaganda” was coined out of
“propaganda fide.” This word has taken unto itself various meanings which were
not originally assigned to it. Today the word means “a systematic effort to
persuade, an act of advocacy in mass communication involving the making of
deliberately one-sided statements to a mass audience” (Defleur et al, 1985:605).
Early missionaries activities in Nigeria started with the establishment of
schools through which they carried out their evangelization mission. Some
produced newspapers as vehicles to preach the Christian doctrines to people and
denounced some evil practices in the society at the time. According to Coker,
cited in Aliagan (2006:2):
46
The pioneer Nigeria newspaper, Iwe Irohin Fun Awon ara Egba ati Yoruba, floated by Rev. Henry Townsand in 1959, was purely an evangelical organ, concentrating on reporting Church news, championing social causes such as campaign against slave trade...
The above quotation is supported by the comment of Duyile (1987:58):
Since all the missionaries came from a culture with dominant press influence, it was convenient for them to begin to think about setting up religious news and other news affecting their Churches, their converts and the people, and their immediate environment.
Hope Waddel, a Presbyterian Pastor founded the Church of Scotland
Mission in Nigeria and established a printing press in Duke Town, Calabar.
Today in Nigeria there are so many religious newspapers and magazines in
circulation. And with reference to the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria almost
every diocese floats a newspaper through the Department of Social
Communications. Many Priests, Religious and Laity members in the Roman
Catholic Church in Nigeria have been trained in mass communication. And most
of our major seminaries in the country affiliated to secular universities, offer
some courses in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The
researcher is one of those being trained in ICTs. The rationale for this training is
to make the Church to effectively make use of the facilities our Information era
provides in her various management and evangelization activities. The truth is
that evangelizing in our contemporary media culture demands adequate
47
preparation so as to make the Gospel message relevant to modern listeners.
Communio et Progressio No. III cited in Asuzu (1987:14) supports our position
when it states:
If religious wish to be part of modern life and also to be at all effective in their apostolate, they should know how the media work upon the fabric of the society and also the techniques of their use... Indeed, lack of this knowledge makes an effective apostolate impossible in the society which is increasingly conditioned by the media.
Religious books, pamphlets and tracks are daily published by both lay
Christians, Priests and Religious. Modern technologies are contributing in no
small measure in the quality and quantity of such production. Some of these
publications are in the local languages thereby making them indigenous and
available to local people especially in the rural areas of the country. Equally,
religious articles daily appear in our secular newspapers and magazines this time
than before. We are really being engulfed by the technological garment of
Information Era in a globalized world. Information overload is here with us
(http://en.wikipeda.org.)
The Electronic Media
The Industrial Revolution in the (1700s) has contributed to the rapid
growth of communication. The advent of steam powered presses speeded the job
of printers, leading to the quantity, circulation and influence of newspapers and
48
magazines. Steam-ship and steam-powered trains led to the rapid sending of
messages and this improved more when automobiles and airplanes were
constructed. Furthermore, the discovery of electricity added more speed into
communication system when in the 1880s inventors put electricity into carrying
of messages. Yes, the birth of telegraph in 1816 freed long distance
communication transportation. The sending of messages through wire became
popular for it was quick. The telephone communication system was invented by
Graham Bell in 1876. (Watson and Hill 1996:89). The Space Age brings in
electronic computer machines. Other communication technologies have followed
and man is better for it than ever before.
Radio
Radio which is one of the chief branches of telecommunication embraces
telegraph, telephone, and television without wires and radar. It is seen in scientific
quarters as “radiation and detection of signals propagated through space as
electromagnetic waves to convey information” (Odetoyinbo, 1998:47-48). The
invention of radio is attributed to an Italian, Gugliemo Maxwell, a Cambridge
mathematical physicist, who in 1865 predicted mathematically the existence of
electrical waves (Odetoyinbo, 1998). The first “broadcast” of music and speech
was made by an American R.A. Fissenden in 1906 (Watson and Hill 1996:156).
Radio sets many years age were very big with separate batteries. To receive
49
signals one has to connect a long wire to a radio set and tie it to a tall pole.
Because of the advancement in science and technology the size of radio sets have
reduced greatly. Palm radios are now very common and very effective in signal
reception.
The Nigerian broadcasting system started in 1951 in Lagos at Tugwell
House Marina under the Post and Telegraph Department of Nigerian Service.
Moreover, in 1957 the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) now (FRCN)
came to existence replacing the former (Asuzu, 1987:39). Guzman (1982:5) many
years ago made this important observation:
The transistor radio is the medium with the greatest potential range and audience in the world, the most rapid and direct. Many of the sick and jobless of illiterate people in the underdeveloped parts of the world – in other words, many of society’s marginalized groups, can be reached through this medium.
The radio because of its affordability, portability and low maintenance
process is in the homes of many people, both rich and poor. It is called in some
quarters as the poor man’s companion. It is thus one of the cheapest means of
evangelization in poor nations. Ainslie (1967:38) aptly put radio’s importance to
the Africans in the rural areas this way:
The African village depends so much on radio as bearer of news and as an instructor; they listen with an attention almost forgotten in Europe,
50
where the medium has largely degenerated into a causal background for other activities.
There are many radio stations (including FM Stations) in Nigeria today,
and some are digital in nature. Christian and Islamic programmes are daily aired
from our radio stations. The Catholic Dioceses in Nigeria buy air time to air their
various religious programmes and activities. Radio Vatican’s programmes are
also listened to by many Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the world,
thereby bringing the word of God to both high and low. In Nigeria individuals
and organizations can now obtain License to establish radio stations. ICTs has
really made radio signals easier to receive than before. Some hand-sets can now
receive radio signals, and the price is dropping by day making many to purchase
them. The result is that information is becoming available to many. Equally, radio
and television news can now be read and viewed in the Internet.
Television
Television is technically an electronically transmission of pictures in
motion and the simultaneous electronically transmission of the accompanying
sound (Hoffmann, 2007:289). It was Paul Nipkow who in 1884 patented in
Germany a complete system – an original feature of which was the spirally
aperture rotating disk that provided at both sending and receiving end a simple
and effective method of image scanning (Dominick 1987:160). The advent of
ICTs has made the production of television sets to improve qualitatively and
51
quantitatively. With the aid of various satellites in the orbit one can now watch
many programmes from remote countries thousands of kilometers away.
Interestingly palm television through the aid of handsets are rapidly coming into
the market. It was in Nigeria in 1959 that television transmission was first made
throughout the continent of Africa. This was in the then Western Nigeria
(Western Nigeria Television Service, WNTVS). Today we have Nigerian
Television Authority (NTA). Recently it went into digital telecast and
international.
Both private and government owned television stations are scattered
throughout Nigeria. It seems that every state in Nigeria has a television station.
Airtimes are bought by religious bodies to broadcast their activities. Though
television is for now in the homes of the “rich” it’s still a strong medium for
evangelization in the developing countries. Television evangelism is rapidly
growing in Nigeria imitating what is happening in developed countries
(http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/econ193/evangelism.htm).
Many pastors worldwide are making a lot of money through television
evangelism. They show how God uses them to perform miracles and contributors
for the airing of the programmes are promised God’s rewards and miracles in
their lives.
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Schaffer (1993) in his article “TV Evangelism, Public Goods, and
Imperfect Competition” maintains that:
The success of electronic ministries is best explained by the “Gullibility Market.” It is based on the belief that consumers cannot make informed choices since there is a proliferation of productions... such consumers are gullible because they make their purchases on faith, accepting the marketing claims of those who are most persuasive. Television evangelists understand this since it plays on the fears that the public holds about the future and the hereafter. They offer viewers hope and salvation by offering them a place in heaven in exchange for their contributions (hppt://www.sjs.ed/faculty/watksins/econ193/evangelism.htm).
In his speech on 42th World Communications Day His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI (2008:5) indirectly referring to televangelism points out that:
The new media – telecommunications and Internet in particular – are changing the very face of communication; this is a valuable opportunity to reshape it, to make more visible, as my venerable predecessor Pope John Paul II said, the essential and indispensable element of the truth about the human person.
Print Technology, Television Technology, Radio Technology, no doubt
Computer Technology, Internet Technology and Telephone Technology no doubt
are tremendously helping Church Leaders today in effective and efficient
management and administration of their Churches. These media technologies are
yearly developing in sophistication and efficiency, but care must be taken as we
53
Christians use tHem. And we agree with Pope Benedict XVI (2008:I) that the
media taken as a whole:
Are not only vehicles of spreading ideas: they can and should also be instrument at the service of a world of greater justice and solidarity... The media can also present and support models of development which serve to increase rather than reduce the technological divide between rich and poor countries.
ICTs have made the world a “Global village” and from our discussions so
far we can deduce that good communication and the proper use of the available
media of communication is imperative for effective management. Without
effective communication which links members of an organization together, an
organization suffers. The message the Catholic Church gives out through the help
of ICTs should be based on her mission, vision and mandate. It should be
different from the secular media of communication. This view is supported by
Owens (1980:77):
Our information is indeed different from that purveyed by the secular media. Our news is Good News. Theirs is almost always bad. It is so bad that it seems inconceivable that people would believe that tooth paste and deodorant detergent and automobiles will compensate for the televised terrors of this world.
Here lies the challenge of the Church, the challenge brought in by ICTs.
The Church therefore, should use the same ICTs to correct the ills and threats
humanity is facing today. The Church cannot run away from this enormous
54
responsibility if it is to be truly called the Church founded by Christ. So, we dare
say “Digital Technologies” are here to help our Churches in office and
communication management (Witcomber, 2003) and embracing and utilizing
them is thus imperative.
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Duyile, D. (1987). Makers of the Nigerian Press. Lagos: Gong Communication (Nig.) Limited.
Flannery, A. (Ed.) (1975). The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents. Collegeville, Minesota: The Liturgical Press.
Hiebent, R.E. et al. (1985). Mass Media: An Introduction to Modern Communication (4th ed.). New York: Longman.
Hoffmann, M. (2007). Academic’s Dictionary of Mass Communication. New Delti: Academic (India) Publishers.
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Kelly, L. (1989). Communication in the Workplace: A Guide to Business and
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Mbam, B.C.E. (2006). “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) In Communication Profession” in Okoro (Ed) International Journal of Communication (No.6, September): 61-68.
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CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
The research method chosen for this study is that of Survey. In the view of
Ohaja (2003:1), a survey “is a study of the characteristics of sample through
questioning that enables a researcher to make generalization concerning his
population interest.”
This research method is deemed appropriate because the researcher wants
to know the benefits and challenges the Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) would bring in the management of of Churches in the
Catholic Diocese of Idah, Kogi State.
3.2 Population of Study
The research work is limited to the Catholic Diocese of Idah which has a
population of one hundred and two thousand, seven hundred and ninety Catholics,
twenty-seven parish churches and eighty stations Churches, (Egbunu, 2007:6).
The station Churches are under the administration of parish Churches and this
brings the number of Catholic Churches in Idah Diocese to one hundred and
seven (107). This number forms the population of our study.
3.3 Sample Size
The sample size of this work is limited to the twenty-seven (27) parish
Churches. The justification for the choice of the sample size is that it is the parish
59
Churches that canonically make up the Catholic Diocese of Idah. These Churches
adequately represent all the station Churches (80) in the Diocese. Furthermore,
the 27 parish Churches are administratively run by Parish Councils at parish level
and the Bishop of the Diocese at Diocesan level. In the light of the above stated
facts, the researcher then selected 10 respondents from each of the 27 parishes in
the Diocese to give a sample size of 270. This number is considered adequate
since according to Ohaja (2003:85) “most student researchers especially at the
undergraduate level and below, do not exceed a sample size of 300 due to obvious
constraints of time, finance and programme level. Apart from these constraints,
nature of the study also dictates the sample size.”
3.4 Sampling Technique
Non-Probability sampling technique was used in this study. This is because
the technique is cheaper and more convenient, (Ohaja, 2003:82). In this respect,
Purposive Sampling, which is one of the non-probability sampling, was used.
According to Ohaja (2003:82)
Purposive Sampling is used when a researcher ‘seeks’ certain characteristics in his ampling elements and he wants to ensure that those chosen have those characteristics. He, therefore, eliminates other members of the population and works with those that meet his requirements.
Furthermore, the purposive sampling technique was used because it helps
to choose sample elements that agree with some control measures dictated by
60
some inherent characteristics of the chosen population, (Asika, 1991:46). Equally,
questionnaire designed and approved by the supervisor were produced and
distributed to the chosen population.
3.5 Instrument of Data Collection
The questionnaire was the primary instrument used for data collection.
Two hundred and seventy copies of the questionnaire containing only close-ended
questions were distributed to the respondents, ten (10) from each of the twenty-
seven parish Churches that make up the Catholic Diocese of Idah through their
parish priests or representatives. The questionnaire was divided into two parts.
The first part contains questions on the demographic characteristics of the
respondents while the second part contains questions on the psychographic
information.
3.6 Method of Data Collection
The questionnaire was self-administered on some respondents during the
diocesan meeting of the priests and the laity. Collection was made on the spot.
For those who did not attend the meeting, their parish priests or representatives
administered the questionnaire on them personally and collected them back after
they had been filled out. This method eliminated much mutilations that would
have resulted because of lack of proper understanding of the questions and
ensured faster and higher return rate of the questionnaire.
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3.7 Method of Data Analysis
Quantitative analysis is the method of data analysis that was used in this
study. This involved the use of frequency distribution tables and simple
percentages. This implies that the responses will be expressed in terms of
percentages so that a high percentage would indicate dominant opinion expressed
by the respondents. In this sense, low percentage indicates the degree of
disagreement with any particular item of the information used.
62
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Agba, P.C. (2001). Electronic Reporting: Heart of the New Age, Nsukka: University Nigeria Press.
Asika, N. (1991) Research Methodology in Behavioural Science, Lagos: Longman Plc.
Egbunu, E.F. (2007). “Historical Landmarks in the Catholic Diocese of Idah,”
Programme for Episcopal Ordination and Reception of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Anthony Adaji/MSP, September 22, pp.6-8.
Mcluhan, M. (1964) Understanding Media, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Ohaja, E.U. (2003). Mass Communication Research and Project Report Writing,
Surulere-Lagos: John Letterman.
Stair, R and Reynolds, G.W. (1998). The Principles of Information System: A Management Approach. Course Technology International. Cambridge Thomson Publishing.
63
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
SECTION A.
4.1 Demographic Data
In this chapter, the data gathered from the field were presented and
analyzed. The data were accurately gathered, carefully recorded and analyzed and
presented for easy comprehension. In the course of this research, a total of two
hundred and seventy (270) copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the
respondents scattered across the twenty-seven (27) Parishes in the Diocese
selected for this study. However, out of the two hundred and seventy 270 copies
of the questionnaire distributed, two hundred and sixty seven (267) were returned.
Out of this number, two were rejected because they were badly mutilated and
cannot help the course of the research in any way. In effect therefore, two
hundred and sixty-five (265) copies of the questionnaire representing 98.15
percent of the sample size were used for the study.
In this first part of the data analysis, the demographic characteristics of the
respondents are presented and analyzed as shown in table 1 below:
Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents S/No Characteristics Respondent Frequency Percentage 1 Sex Male 170 64.15 Female 95 35.85 Total 265 100
Age-Bracket 18-25 37 13.96 26-30 45 16.98 31-35 53 20
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36-40 45 16.98 40-above 85 32.07 Total 265 100
3 Marital Status Married 178 67.16 Single 58 21.89 Divorced 9 3.40 Widowed 20 7.55 Total 265 100
4 Occupation Civil servant 96 36.23
Student Farming
148 12
55.85 4.53
Trading 9 3.40 Total 265 100
5 Qualification FSLC 20 7.55 WASC/SSC 85 32.07 NCE/OND 96 36.23 B.Sc/B.A. 59 22.26 M.Sc/Ph.D 5 1.87 Total 265 100
Discussion
The data in table 1 above show that out of the 265 respondents, 170
(64.17%) were males while 95 (35.85%) were females. This shows that there
were more males than female respondents.
The table also shows that 37 (13.96%) respondents were between 18-25 years; 45
(16.98) respondents were between 26-30 years; 53 (20%) were between 31-35
years; 45 (16.98%) were between 36-49 years while 85 (32.07) were 40 years and
above.
This finding shows that a majority of the respondents were below 40 years
of age. The table further reveals that out of the 265 respondents, 178 (68.16%)
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were married; 58 (21.89%) were single; 9 (3.40%) were divorced and 20 (7.55%)
were widowed. This shows that a significant majority of the respondents were
married.
Finally, the table shows that of the 265 respondents, 20 (7.55%) have their
First School Leaving Certificate; 85(32.07%) have either West African School
Certificate, WASC; Senior School Certificate, SSC or their equivalents;
96(36.23%) have National Certificate of Education, NCE; Ordinary National
Diploma, OND or their equivalents; 59(22.26%) have Bachelor’s degrees while
only 5(1.87%) have either Master’s or Doctorate degrees
The implication of the above finding is that most of the respondents have
mostly WASC or NCE or their equivalents. It shows therefore that most of the
respondents are enlightened.
In this second part of the study, the psychographic data will be presented in
an effort to answer the research questions.
SECTION B.
4.2 Responses to Research Questions
Four research questions are presented using option frequency and
percentage method. The results are presented based on the data obtained.
66
4.2.1 Research Question No. 1: What is the level of exposure of the priests, religious
and members of laity in the Catholic Diocese of Idah to modern communications
outlets?
The answer to the above research question will be provided by analysis of
questions No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the questionnaire as presented and analyzed in table
2 below:
Table 2: Access to ICT Equipment S/No Question Option Frequency Percentage
1 Do you have access to modern communication gadgets?
Yes 265 100 No - -
Total 265 100
2 If yes, which of these communication gadgets do you
have access to?
Handset 222 83.77 Camera 5 1.89 Desktop 26 9,81 Laptop 12 4.53 Total 265 100%
3 Are you computer literate? Yes 63 23.77
No 202 76.23 Total 265 100
4 If yes, what is your level of
proficiency in the use of the computer?
Very proficient - - Fairly
proficient 54 85.71
Just proficient 9 14.29 Below average - -
Total 63 100
Discussion
The figures in table 2 above try to assess the level of accessibility of the
priests and parishioners in the Catholic Diocese of Idah to modern
communications gadgets. Answers to question No. 1 show that all the respondents
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(265 or 100%) agree that they have access to some modern communications
gadgets. The implications of the above answer are that all the respondents have
knowledge of these gadgets and possibly know how to use some or all of them. It
also shows that they are eligible to answer the subsequent questions.
In respect to question No. 2, the data reveal that 222(83.77%) of the
respondents have access to handsets; 5(1.89%) have access to camera; 26(9.81%)
have access to desktop while 12(4.53%) have access to laptop. This shows that all
the respondents have access to different communication gadgets.
Question No. 3 seeks to find out the number of computer literate adults. It
was discovered that only 63(23.71%) respondents are computer literate while
202(76.23%) of them are not. This shows that the literacy level of the priests and
parishioners is quite low.
Finally, question No. 4 sought to find out the level of proficiency among
the few computer-literate parishioners. It was discovered that only 54(85.71%)
fairly proficient while the rest are just proficient. This means that the level of
proficiency among the parishioners is still very low.
Having carefully analyzed the data in table 1, we have to conclude that
though many of the priests and parishioners have access to different modern
communications gadgets, their level of literacy and proficiency is abysmally low.
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4.2.2 Research Question No. 2: Is computer literacy taken seriously by priests,
religious and laity members of the Catholic Diocese of Idah?
The answer to the above research question will be provided with the
analysis of the questions No. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the questionnaire. The details
of the findings are presented in table 3 below:
Table 3: Computer Literacy Among Priests, Religious and Laity Members S/No Question Options Frequency Percentage
8 Which of these communication gadgets are accessible in your
parish?
Radio station 189 (71.32%) 14.26 GSM 265(100) 20
T.V. station 265 (100) 20 Cyber-café 51 (19.25) 3.85
None 0 (0) 0 Total 770 (58%) 1325 (100%)
9 Do you have a computer
training center in your parish?
Yes 65 24.53 No 196 73.96
I don’t know 4 1.51 Total 265 100%
10 If yes, how many
parishioners are trained in it every year?
Very many 8 12.31 Many 5 7.69 Few 30 46.15
Very few 22 33.84 Total 65 100%
11 Is there a cyber café in
your parish for parishioners’ use?
Yes 78 29.43 No 166 62.64
I don’t know 22 8.30 Total 265 100
12 If yes, how many
parishioners patronize the cyber-café per day?
Very many 6 7.69 Many 7 8.97 Few 22 28.21
Very few 45 61.54 Total 78 100
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Discussion
Data in table 3 above show that 189(71.32%) respondents have access to
radio stations in their parishes; 265(100%) have access to GSM networks; 265
(100%) have access to television station; 51 (19.25%) have access to cyber-cafes
within their parish. This shows that there is remarkable number of information
outlets in the Catholic Diocese of Idah.
Analysis of question No. 9 shows that 65(24.53%) respondents say that
there is a computer-training center in their Parish; 196(73.96%)say there is no
computer-training centre in their parishes while 4(1.51%) do not know.
This implies that there are very few computer-training centres in many parishes in
the Catholic Diocese of Idah.
Analysis of question No. 10 in the table shows that 8(12.31%) respondents
agree that very many parishioners are trained in these centers per year; 5(7.69%)
say that many are trained, 30(46.15%) say few are trained while 22(33.84%) say
very few are trained. From the above analysis, we deduct that few parishioners are
trained in computer literacy skills in these training centres per year.
In question No.11, 78(28.43%) respondents agree that there are cyber-café
in their parishes; 166(62.64%) say that they do not have any while 22(8.30%) say
that they do not know.
70
From the above figures, we can safely deduce that there are very small
number of cyber-cafes in the parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Idah and indeed
only a few parishioners are trained in the use of modern communication gadgets.
Finally, in response to question No. 12 in the table, 6(7.69%) respondents
agree that Very many parishioners patronize the cyber cafes; 7(8.97%) say that
many patronize the cyber-cafes while 22(28.21%) and 45(61.5%) respondents
answered Few and Very few respectively.
The data above show that the cyber-cafes do not enjoy much patronage
from the parishioners. And in view of the findings above, we have to conclude
that the priests and members of the laity of the Catholic Diocese of Idah do not
take the issue of computer literacy very seriously.
4.2.3 Research Question No. 3: To what extent do the Parishes in the Catholic
Diocese of Idah use these communication gadgets in management of their
parishes?
The answer to the above research question will be provided with the careful
analysis of questions No. 13, 14, 15 and 16. Details of these findings are
presented in Table 4 below:
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Table 4: Usage of Communication Gadgets in Parish Administration S/No Question Option Frequency Percentage 13 How often do the parishes use the
cyber-café in communicating with parishioners?
Daily 38 14.34 Once in a
week 40 15.08
Twice a week
- -
None at all 187 70.58 Total 265 100
14 Do you produce Sunday Bulletins in
your parish? Yes 87 32.83 No 178 67.16
Total 265 100 15 If yes, do you use computer in the
process of production of these bulletins?
Yes 87 100 No - -
I don’t know
- -
Total 87 100
16 Are important church documents such as certificates produce and stored in
the computer?
Yes 83 31.32 No 178 67.16
No idea 4 1.51 Total 265 100
Discussion
Data in table 4 above have interesting revelations in respect of question
No.13. 38(14.34%) respondents say that the Parish use the cyber-cafes in
communicating to them daily; 40(15.08%) say that it is used once a week; none
for twice in a week while 187(70.58%) answered none at all.
In view of the above figures, it is right to conclude that the Parishes in the
Catholic Diocese of Idah do not make good use of the few cyber-cafes available
within the Parishes.
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In answer to question No. 14 in the table, the figure reveal that 87(32.83%)
respondents agree that Sunday bulletins are produced in their Parishes while
178(67.16%) say that they are not produced in their parishes.
This implies that Sunday Bulletins are produced in many but not in all
parishes of the Catholic diocese of Idah.
In question No. 15, all the 87(100%) respondents agree that computer is
used in the process of producing Sunday Bulletins in their parishes.
Finally, in question No. 16, 83(31.32%) respondents agree that important
Church documents like Baptismal, Birth, Death and other certificates are
produced and stored in the computer; 178(67.16%) say that they are not while
4(1.51%) have no idea. Their responses tend to suggest that such important
Church documents are not produced and stored in the computer by many parishes.
In view of the answers obtained from respondents in respect of the above
research question, we must conclude that many parishes in the Catholic Diocese
of Idah do not use computer effectively in management of their Parishes.
4.2.4 Research Question No. 4: What do you consider as factors militating against
better and wider use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in
the Catholic Diocese of Idah?
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The answer to the above research question will be provided by answering
questions No. 21 and 22 in the questionnaire. Details of these are shown in table 5
below:
Table 5: Factor(s) Militating Against ICTs in Idah Diocese S/No Question Option Frequency Percentage 21 Do you think that
there are factors militating against wider use of ICTs
in your Parish?
Yes 265 100 No - -
No idea - - Total 265 100
22 What are these
factors? Lack of manpower -
Lack of fund - Poor electricity -
Illiteracy - Poverty -
Lack of interest - All of the above 265 100
Total 265 100
Discussion:
In the table 5 above, the researcher wanted to find whether there are factors
militating against better and wider use of the Information and Communications
Technologies (ICTs) in the Catholic Diocese of Idah and what these factors are if
they exist.
In answer to question No. 21, it was shown that all the 265 respondents
(100%) agree that there are factors militating against the used of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Diocese.
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In answer to question No. 22, it was discovered that all the factors listed
contribute in one way or the other to the ineffective use of ICTs. These factors
include: lack of funds, lack of trained manpower, poor electricity supply,
illiteracy among parishioners, poverty among parishioners, absence of adequate
interest by the Priests.
4.2.5 Research Question No. 5: What do you consider as solutions to these problems
considering their importance in effective management of parishes?
In order to find solutions to the above problem, let us examine questions
No. 23and 24 in the questionnaire. Details of the findings are shown in table 6
below:
Table 6: S/No Question Options Frequency Percent 23 Do you think that
there are solutions to the above problems as they concern the
Parishes?
Yes 265 100 No - -
No idea - - Total 265 100
24 What are the
solutions to the problems in their
order of preference?
Mass education 75 28.30 Poverty reduction 63 23.77
Special appeal fund/levy 51 19.25 Sensitization of the flock 40 15.09 Massive comp. training 23 8.68 Mobilization of priests 13 4.90
Total 265 100
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Discussion
In the table 6 above, the researcher tried to find solutions to the problems
of insufficient use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the
Catholic Diocese of Idah.
In question No. 23, the answers show that all the 265 respondents (100%)
agree that there are solutions to the problems. This means that the problems are
not insurmountable.
In question No. 24, which asked the respondents to name the solutions to
the various problems in their order of preference, we obtained an encouraging
answer. Out of the 265 respondents, 75(28.30%) said that the solution lies in
mass computer education; 63(23.77%) say the solution is with poverty
reduction; 51(19.25%) advocate special appeal fund or levy for massive
procurement of computer hardware and accessories; 40(15.09%) call for
sensitization of the parishioners; 23(8.68%) say that there should be massive
computer training of the parishioners while 13(4.90%) submit that the priests
should be mobilized for the task.
From the figures above we conclude that the single most powerful tool
against this problem is massive education of all the parishioners even though
other factors still have contributions to make.
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4.3 Summary of Findings
After the data presentation and analyses, we present the following findings
with regards to the research questions that were used to guide this study. Below is
a summary of the findings:
1. That 265 respondents of different demographic characteristics were
involved in the study. These respondents are Catholics living within the
Catholic Diocese of Idah.
2. That all the respondents are aware and have access to some modern
communications gadgets though their literacy level and level of proficiency
in the use of these gadgets are abysmally low.
3. That the Priests and members of the Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Idah
do not take the issue of computer literacy very seriously. The issue is worse
among the priests as it was found that most of them have not procured
computer systems for the use of their various parishes.
4. That there is very small number of cyber-cafes in the parishes of the
Catholic Diocese of Idah and indeed only a few parishioners are trained in
the use of modern communication gadgets
5. That many Priests in the Catholic Diocese of Idah do not use computer
effectively in management of their parishes. This is simply because they do
77
not have the necessary computer hardware and software for effective use in
the management of their parishes.
6. That there are many different factors that contribute in varying degrees for
this anomaly. These factors include: lack of funds, lack of trained manpower,
poor electricity supply, illiteracy among parishioners, poverty among
parishioners, absence of adequate interest by the priests. Solutions to these
factors are poverty reduction among the various parishioners who are largely
poor; special appeal fund or levy in the Diocese to raise the necessary funds for
the procurement of the computer systems needed in the parishes; massive
sensitization of the parishioners on the need to be computer literate and this can
be done through the various parish priests; opening of computer-literacy
centres in the parishes and encouraging the parishioners to avail themselves of
the skill obtainable from there; and finally, massive mobilization of the priests
for the task above by making them to become computer-literate first and then
letting others obtain it in their parishes.
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CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
In the course of this research, we have made effort to assess the level of
usage of Information and Communication Technology in the Catholic Diocese of
Idah in Kogi State. The Diocese is one of the family old dioceses in what is today
called the North Central Geo-political Zone of Nigeria. The diocese is therefore
one of the oldest in whole country. But being located in an area that is
predominantly Muslim and traditionalists has made evangelism a very Herculean
one for the Priests in the diocese. It is therefore expected that the priests should
put in extra effort to win and maintain their converts.
The development and use of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) offer a new tool to these Priests in their onerous tasks of
evangelism and effective management of their parishes. The Church being a
socio-religious organization cannot afford to be a passive observer and a non-
partaker in the enormous opportunities offered and many benefits of the
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In fact, the Diocese and
by extension, all the Parishes therein need and should use these technologies if
they are to fulfill God’s mandate and injunction: “Go and teach all nations” in
Genesis 1:22.
79
It is in this respect that we consider instructive the submission of Asuzu
(1987:15) that:
… Communication is a ministry and it is needed everywhere in the Church today than ever before. This fact should strike a meaningful note in the hearts of every committed Christian in our time. The response should be demonstrated in having men and women who identify themselves professionally to tackle the challenging problems, and of enormous dimensions posed for Church in this media-invaded world of ours.
Because of the much benefits of these communication technologies, this
researcher set out to find out the extent to which the parishes in the Catholic
Diocese of Idah have imbibed and actually use the technologies in their parishes
and of course, the whole diocese. The objective of this study is therefore, among
others, to show the relevance of the Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) in the management of Church as well as the benefits and
challenges the Catholic Diocese of Idah would get if she embraces the new
technologies. To realize the objectives of this study, five research questions we
asked namely:
� What is the level of exposure of the Priests and Laity of the Catholic Diocese
of Idah to modern communication outlets and or gadgets?
� Is computer literacy taken seriously both by the Priests and the members of
Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Idah?
80
� To what extent do the Priests in the Catholic Diocese of Idah use these new
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the management of
their Parishes?
� What do you consider the factors militating against wider and better use of
these Technologies in the Catholic Diocese of Idah?
� In what ways can these problems be surmounted?
To give the study a sound theoretical foundation, two theories were used in
explaining the study. They are: Diffusion of Innovation and Uses and
Gratification theories. The two theories are considered because while Diffusion of
Innovation tries to explain how people adopt new products including
technological products, Uses and Gratification tend to look into the various uses
people put the media to and the benefits they obtain from so doing. The theory
sees the audience, as active, selecting and using what they believe are beneficial
to them and leaving behind what they do not need.
In the second chapter of the study, some relevant and related literature was
reviewed. The essence was to give the study a good empirical background. The
search for the literature led the researcher to review the works of different
scholars and professionals in two key areas: Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) and Evangelism. The literature focused on the use of these
communications technologies in various disciplines particularly in the area of
81
Church management and propagation of faith. Interestingly, there is large
quantity of work in this area especially in the Internet.
The nature of the study made the researcher to adopt Survey as research
method capable of assisting him arrive at a dependable and replicable answers to
his questions. In order to ensure that every member of his population of study had
equal chance of being selected as a respondent, the simple random sampling
technique was used after the population has been broken down into clusters.
Using this method, a total of two hundred (270) respondents were selected from
the twenty-seven (27) parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Idah; ten (10) from each
parish. The data generated from the field were analyzed using tables and simple
percentages.
The analyses of the data revealed some interesting findings on the subject
matter of the study. The findings show the following:
• That 265 respondents of different demographic characteristics were involved
in the study. These respondents are Catholics living within the Catholic
Diocese of Idah.
• That all the respondents are aware and have access to some modern
communications gadgets though their literacy level and level of proficiency in
the use of these gadgets are abysmally low.
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• That the Priests and members of the laity of the Catholic Diocese of Idah do
not take the issue of computer literacy very seriously. The issue is worse
among the priests as it was found that most of them have not procured
computer systems for the use of their various parishes.
• That there is very small number of cyber-cafes in the parishes of the Catholic
Diocese of Idah and indeed only a few parishioners are trained in the use of
modern communication gadgets
• That many Priests in the Catholic Diocese of Idah do not use computer
effectively in management of their parishes. This is simply because they do
not have the necessary computer hardware and software for effective use in
the management of their parishes.
• That there are many different factors that contribute in varying degrees for
this anomaly. These factors include: lack of funds, lack of trained manpower,
poor electricity supply, illiteracy among parishioners, poverty among
parishioners, absence of adequate interest by the priests. These factors can be
tackled through poverty reduction among the various parishioners who are
largely poor; special appeal fund or levy in the Diocese to raise the necessary
funds for the procurement of the computer systems needed in the parishes;
massive sensitization of the parishioners on the need to be computer literate
and this can be done through Parish Priests; opening of computer-literacy
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centres in the parishes and encouraging the parishioners to avail themselves of
the skill obtainable from there; and finally, massive mobilization of the priests
for the task above by making them to become computer-literate first and then
letting others obtain it in their Parishes.
5.2 Conclusion
The findings above show that the Catholic Diocese of Idah suffers from
lack of effective use of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
in the management of their parishes and by extension, the entire diocese despite
the numerous benefits they offer. It is very disturbing to find that most of the
Parishes do not have computers in their Parish offices and houses much less
cyber-cafes. This has derailed the production of important Church documents like
baptismal, birth, death, marriage certificates and many other important Church
documents as most of the parishes have to go through printers instead of desktop
publishing and its many benefits. What is more, most of the important church
documents and information are still stored in files instead of in the computer with
its attendant risks and cumbersomeness.
Besides the risk of losing important documents, there is the delay in
accessing information, sending information, interacting with parishioners and
fellow priests in other parishes. The parishioners also do not benefit from the
immense opportunities the technologies offer.
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In view of the foregoing, we conclude that the parishes in the Catholic
Diocese of Idah must computerize their activities so as to benefit optimally from
the opportunities offered by the Information and Communication Technologies
particularly now that they are facing increasing and persistent challenges from the
Pentecostal Churches. They must develop very effective communication outlets
with which they will be constantly communicating with their parishioners or risk
losing many of them to other Churches. This conclusion is amply supported by
the submission of Onyekwere (2007) that:
Dynamic individuals and organizations are discarding operational styles carried from earlier glorious but no longer relevant ages, also organizations and persons who fail to understand how much the new technologies have changed various professions will be eclipsed by the greater successes of those that do.
5.3 Recommendations
The importance of the Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) in management of the Church and in other areas makes a good case for
urgent action by the Catholic Diocese of Idah in this respect. If the diocese wants
to remain relevant in the scheme of things in the comity of Churches in the
country and worldwide, must give the issue the urgent attention it deserves. We
are today in a global village as predicted by Marshall McLuhan some decades ago
and nobody can afford to be left behind. It is unfortunate that while many
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Churches and ministries are reaping bountifully from the positive windfalls of
globalization, the Catholic Church is still foot-dragging and wallowing in
unnecessary conservatives instead of moving sure-footedly to reap like or even
more than others.
The Catholic Diocese of Idah cannot claim ignorance of the exploits and
success of such preachers like Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, Tunde
Bakare of Later Rain Assembly; Chris Okotie of Household of God; T.B. Joshua
of Synagogue of All Nations among many others. It is immaterial what the
Catholic Church thinks about them it suffices that their messages whether true or
false are resonating with their converts and many are daily listening to their
speeches. It is because of the above concern that the following recommendations
are made:
� The Catholic Diocese of Idah must urgently convene a meeting of all
stakeholders in Churches in the Diocese to thrash out the issue in detail. The
discussion should involve experts in the area of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) who should be given the chance to
dissect the issue and not the often condescending attitude of the priests to laity,
claiming that they know it all when indeed they do not know much.
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� A concrete and realizable communication policy should be articulated and
packaged, which will guide all the communication activities and actions of the
diocese.
� A massive appeal should be made to all Catholics Agencies in and outside the
diocese for financial assistance towards realizing the communication
objectives of the diocese. Such appeal should go down to stations in the
parishes as well as special offertory to be arranged in all the Parishes in the
Diocese towards the realization of this objective.
� The diocese should send out promising and intelligent priests and members of
the laity drawn from all the Parishes on comprehensive computer training
course in a good computer school anywhere in the country. The aim is for
these people to learn and come back home and train others. My concept for
this is, “Training of future trainers programme.”
� It is also suggested that as a corollary, adult literacy classes should be
established in most stations in the Parishes with Parish Priests exercising
supervisory roles. In this way some of the more uneducated ones may even
begin to appreciate the potentials of computer and may be favourably disposed
towards it.
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APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
Department of Mass Communication,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
December 2008.
To Whom It May Concern
I am a post-graduate student carrying out a research on Information and
Communication Technologies in Management of Churches: A Study of the
Catholic Diocese of Idah, Kogi State. As part of the requirements for the award of
Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
I wish to state that this exercise is strictly academic and the confidentiality
of respondent’s answers and comments are highly guaranteed. Kindly answer the
questions in the questionnaire that best explain your disposition.
Please be objective.
Yours faithfully,
IYERE, I. JOHN (Rev. Fr.)
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