Africa: Christian Responses On Health and Healing

Africa: Christian Responses On Health and Healing

World Council of Churches – Churches must commit themselves to create “healing and reconciling ministry that puts people at the centre and allow for a wholistic approach in health care”, states a declaration issued during an international symposium on “Christian Responses to Global Health and Development” in Tübingen, Germany.

The declaration, drafted by the international participants of the symposium organized by the German Institute for Medical Mission (DIFAEM) in June, urged the churches to establish “healing and reconciling communities and congregations” open to the “marginalized, poor and vulnerable” while helping them in “restoring their dignity and protecting their rights”.

The need to equip church leaders with sufficient knowledge of health issues was stressed in the document titled A call to health and healing – Declaration Tübingen III. It states that a proficient knowledge of health issues can help Christian leaders to provide adequate pastoral care and support to health workers and the communities they serve.

The vision described in the declaration was affirmed in a message from Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri, associate general secretary for Public Witness and Diakonia of the World Council of Churches (WCC). “Churches, ecumenical partners and the WCC see health and healing as a primary area of mission to which we are called by God,” Phiri said.

She identified the collaborations between the WCC and the DIFAEM, especially in the 1960s, to be a significant motivation for the on-going work of the Council in the area of health and healing.

She said that the WCC has a strong history of supporting Christian health associations and serving as a bridge between the churches, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.

As part of such efforts, Phiri mentioned the WCC project Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA), as well as the WCC’s support to the “Healing of Memories” initiative which deals with trauma and atrocities that have been faced by individuals and communities in their past.

Dr Sue Parry, consultant for the WCC’ health and healing programme attended the symposium and presented a paper.

Categories: Africa

About Author

Write a Comment

Your e-mail address will not be published.
Required fields are marked*