The Contribution of Pastoral Ministry in an Hiv/Aids Environment: With Special Reference to Mukuru Slums, Nairobi – Kenya.
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The 15
(AMECEA)
1
th
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa
Plenary session admitted that HIV/AIDS is indeed a challenge to the Church and
society in Africa and that solutions to this pandemic must come from within Africa itself. The
Church in the region is challenged further to accept and care for its HIV/AIDS infected
clergy, religious men and women and the laity, and be on the forefront in condemning any
kind of stigmatization of the infected persons. The AMECEA bishops exhorted the people in
the region and Africa as a whole to embrace behavioral change, uphold faithfulness in
marriage, and for those who are not yet married, to abstain from casual sex and be Christ
Centred.
2
The love and respect for the weak, the poor, and the sick caused the researcher
(pastoral minister)
3 of this work to take the situation of the people living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWHA) in Kenya as a focus of his spiritual, pastoral and theological reflection. According to the researcher, the pandemic calls for a pastoral approach that grows out of the reality
between what is believed and what is done, theology and ministry, faith and life. This thesis
aims at helping the reader to discover “The contribution of pastoral ministry in a HIV/AIDS
environment” and how it may be improved for its effectiveness. The thesis is going to deal
with the problem of HIV/AIDS, basing on the researcher’s practicum done with Lea Toto
Program (LTP)
July 2011.
5
in Mukuru
6
Slums, covering more than 186 contact hours between June and
The thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter is concerned with the
Insertion experience that will reveal the researcher’s experience while working in Mukuru
slums with HIV/AIDS infected and affected people and how the epidemic affects the social,
economic, religious, cultural and political aspects of the slums. It will also include the
information gathered during the practicum.
Literature review forms the second chapter, with special attention on the socio-cultural
and pastoral analysis. It will help the researcher to reflect on the roles played by pastoral
agents like Church leaders, Christians, believers of other faiths and all people of good-will. It
will also promote additional reflection on the new orientations of care, prevention and
advocacy while strengthening the existing ones. This chapter is mainly based on the
researcher’s personal reading about the pandemic and related issues.
The third chapter is the Theological reflection that will help the researcher to grow in
the life of the Spirit, to affirm the presence of God and Jesus Christ in the lives of HIV/AIDS-positive people, and to discover the roots of the Church’s pastoral care for the sick. It is based
on the practicum experience, biblical, theological positions, and other Church resources. The
Theological reflection will also help the reader to explore thoughts, feelings, and general
behaviour of HIV/AIDS people to reach a better understanding of their life and their relations
to others and God.
Pastoral planning for action is the focus of the fourth chapter. It is an attempt to
concretely formulate a ministerial program which proposes specific solutions to both the
pastoral agents and clients. It will take into account the physical, psychological and spiritual
dimensions to suggest to the clients how to cope more effectively with the disease. The
pastoral plan will offer alternative ways that provide the infected and affected people with
love and hope, compassion and healing of Christ. It is a search for a new pastoral response
which takes into consideration people’s experiences of life and the dangers posed by
HIV/AIDS.
The fifth and final chapter summarizes the main findings and recommendations that
make clear the importance of having objectives that guide the pastoral minister in the ministry
of HIV/AIDS. It shows how people are to face life-threatening problems from a Christian
perspective. It will provide recommendations that could help society to face the suffering and
difficulties brought about by HIV/AIDS in a meaningful way.
Description
Keywords
Pastoral Ministry, Hiv/Aids, Environment, Mukuru Slums, Healing Ministry