SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Religion And Human Relations

CONTRIBUTORS:

Umeanwe, C.M;
Madu, J.E;

ABSTRACT:

Perception of knighthood in time like this has left many in doubt about their calling in the church, and this calls for worry. The moral probity and decadence of some of the knights are not in doubt. The institution of knighthood as a body of soldiers of Christ is symbolic and has received strong criticism over the years due to the questionable moral conduct of some of their members, high cost of the amour or investiture, infighting and some being false to the high ideals of the knighthood order. The aims of the study are to examine the concept of knighthood in the light of its meaning, nature, impact and the various conceptions people have concerning knighthood so as to re-establish the usefulness of knighthood in the Diocese on the Niger. The researcher used multidimensional approaches in the data analysis which among them is the sociological approach. The researcher also used functionalism theory in the theoretical framework. This approach states that all aspects of a society—institutions, roles, norms, etc.—serve a purpose and that all are indispensable for the long-term survival of the society. This unified system of approaches, definitions and observations of facts is organized in such a way as to illuminate the interrelationships among the members of knighthood of Diocese on the Niger and the entire church membership for the purpose of peaceful co-existence and growth in the Diocese. However this study discovered that irregularities that are seen among some members of the knighthood are as a result of speed and hurried manner with which people are made knights these days. The doubtful credentials and shadowy reputations of some Knights, if not checkmated will continue to mar the purpose, future and progress of knighthood in the church. The findings indicated that knighthood in the Diocese on the Niger needs to improve, given to the significant relationship between knighthood and church, as an index of Diocese on the Niger administrative structure and achievements, it is necessary to promote the institution of Knighthood in the Diocese on the Niger. The study therefore, recommends that as knighthood occupies a very important place in the church, enough and adequate time should be spent when screening prospective knights. Also discipline of the defaulters to the constitution of knighthood should be taken serious. This will eliminate the assumption that all knights have the same characteristics, and will allow for more individual consideration of knights; and may direct further research on the usefulness of knighthood in the Diocese on the Niger.