Christianity and Christian ethics :generally speaking, Christianity
is considered as the religion that is founded on the teaching, person
and life of Jesus Christ. The ethic deriving from it is to be found in
the moral teaching of the Old and New Testaments. It is a morality
which sees itself as a faithful response to God’s summons, in terms of
human behaviour. The norms and rules of behaviour here have their
basis and legitimation in the holiness, will, love and omnipotence of
God. The ultimate purpose of life is the blessed participation of
human beings in the salvation which is God himself and which God
alone can effect. Consequently, the Christian ethic is an ethic of
responsibility, because human beings must account for themselves
before God who summons them, and before the community into
which they are sent. This central value of responsibility is accompa-
nied by others such as love of God and of our neighbour, justice, free-
dom, solidarity, to name only those.
Theoretical ethical interest :confrontation or encounter between
two cultures in relation to the concept of responsible leadership :
debate, exchange of ideas, enrichment, production, broadening or
development of concepts and methodologies (ways of becoming, being
and experiencing a responsible leader).
Practical interest :provide the public with a tool to help them
understand intercultural relations (tradition and Christianity,
Africanity and westernity...) on the basis of universal values. Con-
tribute to building a universal culture.
- Leadership Among the Fang of Cameroon
a) In the Family
The Mmé nda(the owner of the house) is the head of the family
(family = Nda bôt), the father of the family whose duty is to protect
his wife and children and watch over what becomes of them. The
latter in turn recognise his rights, which include the right to give a
name to every new-born child in order to preserve the memory of an
ancestor or some other living member of the paternal or maternal
clan, and the right to educate, judge, congratulate or censure his
people. For Mbala Owono, the head of the family ‘is conscious of his
vocation to ensure that the members of his family live in respect for
customs and habits, for their best possible future. In other words, the
authority of the head of the family coexists with the full participation
of all the members of the family. This is how power is structured.’^2
At this level, the author tells us, there are three conditions for
exercising power. The person must :
- be male (principle)
36 Responsible Leadership : Global Perspectives