Michael Ufok Udoekpo

Israel's Prophets and the Prophetic Effect of Pope Francis Michael Ufok Udoekpo

Given that Pope Francis is a popular global religious leader, and in the light of the lessons drawn from the nature, meaning, and functions of Israel's prophets, this tripartite work historically, pastorally, and theologically examines whether, and how Francis' teaching, visits, outreach to the poor, preaching, and recent biblically based writings (Lumen Fidei, Evangelii Gaudium, Amoris Laetitia, Laudato Si', Gaudete et Exsultate, Letters, and Messages) have had any prophetic effects or impact on contemporary society. ""When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, a ninety-nine-year-old retired French journalist, Genevieve Honore Laine, celebrated his election thus: 'We were expecting a Pontiff; God gives us a prophet' (original in French). Dr. Udoekpo's on-target study of the prophetic impact of Pope Francis alongside Israel's prophet offers readers key insight for understanding and appreciating the Spirit-filled revolutionary mission of this Pope, as leader of a church whose very nature is prophetic."" --Teresa Okure, SHCJ, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria ""In this exposition, it has become even clearer that Pope Francis is a gift to our generation in a unique way. It needed no less a scholar than somebody like Dr. Udoekpo to bring out the prophetic worth of his ministry. . . . Now, the best way to appreciate this effort by our author is to make this work a must in every library and family bookshelf."" --Emem Gerald Umoren, University of Uyo, Nigeria Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. Udoekpo is an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies/Scripture and Languages at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology (2011- ), currently serving his sabbatical year appointment at the theological faculty of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (2018-2019). His most recent publications include Rethinking the Prophetic Critique of Worship in Amos 5 for Contemporary Nigeria and the USA (2017).