DARÉ is a theological journal of Holy Trinity College, an elite school of theology for both laity and religious. It belongs to the Catholic University of Zimbabwe Faculty of theology. The word DARÉ is a Shona term, which refers to a meeting place for discussion and to some extent, a tribunal of ideas. Let the spelling not confuse you, the reader, with the English ‘dare’ which means to have courage to do something, or with the Latin verb dare meaning to give.
What Might the Bible Have to Say about Covid-19?
An outbreak of a new form of coronavirus initially called SARS-CoV-2, but later renamed ‘coronavirus disease 2019’ (Covid1 19 for short) was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and, on January 30th, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern. By March 11th, the WHO had formally recognized Covid 19 as a pandemic. By May 2nd, 2020, more than 3.38 million cases had been reported in 187 countries and territories, more than 239,000 people had died as a consequence and more than 1.06 million had recovered. By January 8th, 2021, a little over eight months later, by which time a number of effective vaccines had been developed and mass vaccinations had been begun, these figures had seen a dramatic rise, with more than 88.2 million cases reported in 218 countries and territories, more than 1.9 million people have died as a consequence and more than 49.2 million having recovered.
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The Book of Job and the Pastoral Care of Covid 19 Patients
The book of Job is one of the books of wisdom literature. This book deals with various questions such as theodicy, the justice of the Lord, the suffering of a just person, and retribution. The book Job is very relevant in today’s world as it touches on contemporary problems. It is in light of this regard, this article intends to discuss the possible contributions of the book of Job to the pastoral care of sick for Covid -19 patients. The first part will give a summary of the major themes which are found in the book of Job. The second part will expose what is found in the book of Job which is useful in the pastoral care of those infected by the Coronavirus. Finally, a conclusion will be given.
Covid-19 and the Mark of the Beast in the Book of Revelation
Is the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine the mark of the beast? This is one of the frequently asked questions that this writer has met many times. The reason for this question is that there are claims on social media platforms that indeed the COVID-19 vaccine does fulfill the prophecy of John in the Book of Revelation concerning the ‘mark of the beast’ introduced in Rev 13:16-18. However, such interpretations tend to flow from conspiracy theories rather than from biblical text or tradition. Therefore, this article seeks to provide a meaningful exegetical interpretation of the ‘mark of the beast’ relating to the time of the first century A.D. itself when the Book of Revelation was written. The intention is to help the Christian reader to have a better grasp of what John intended to communicate to his primary audience so as to set aside some out-of-context speculations of the 21st-century readers of the book.
Symbolism of Wound in the Spiritual Canticle of St. John of the Cross
An accomplished Spanish poet, mystic and reformer of the 16th Century, John of the Cross utilized symbolism in his exploration of Spiritual Life. Analysis of the works of John of the Cross reveals that poetry can be understood as being the primary mode through which he presents his doctrine of the processes characterizing the Spiritual Life. It has to be noted; that it was only after requests for explanations of the poetry that John of the Cross, wrote prose as explanatory notes to his poetry.
“The guiding of man, the most variable and manifold of creatures, seems to me in very deed to be the art of arts and science of sciences. Anyone may recognize this, by comparing the work of the physician of souls with the treatment of the body...” With these words, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, the 4th-century Cappadocian Church Father, begins a discourse on the unique role of the spiritual physician, whose practice has similarities with medical physicians, yet greatly surpasses the latter in depth and breadth. Meditating on this theme seems eminently fitting right now, given the situation the world finds itself in. After a year mired down by a pandemic, we have become obsessed with the care and safety of the body, so it is an opportune time to rebalance our perspective by being reminded of matters of the spirit, the lifeblood of the Body of Christ.
The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Religious Beliefs and Practices in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe.
The first cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in China in December 2019. Since then, the disease has spread fast at international levels, Zimbabwe included. Due to the fast spread of the disease in terms of casualties and geographic coverage, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus pandemic a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 and a pandemic on March 11, 2020. In Zimbabwe the first COVID-19 case was reported on 21 March in the resort town of Victoria Falls. The country enforced lockdowns as one of the public health response measures. The main purpose of the study is to critique the impact of COVID-19 on religious beliefs and practices of Christians and African Indigenous Religions (AIRs) adherents in Matabeleland South Province. The qualitative approach was employed using the descriptive case study design. Purposive sampling method was used to select thirty (30) research participants. Online open-ended questionnaires and telephone interviews were the main tools. The theoretical framework of this study was guided by Ninian Smart’s seven dimensions of religions. The findings were that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the religious beliefs and practices of the Christians and AIRs adherents in Matabeleland South. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of worship service gatherings, ceremonies and festivals. Many churches have resorted to online services. Some people even questioned the existence and supremacy of the Christian and AIRs Supreme Being. A majority of people began to use African Traditional medicines and methods on top of Western medicines to serve themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic. On a positive note, some Christians and AIRs adherents have been drawn nearer to God. The study concluded that COVID-19 has impacted negatively and positively on the religious beliefs and practices of the Matabeleland South populace. The study recommends that the Zimbabwean government should work together with the international community to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. There should be more broadcasts online of church sermons and religious services through social media platforms. The commuities should be educated on the importance of maintaining nature and ecological balance since COVID-19 is alleged to have originated from wild animals.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – direct and indirect have been grave to the Church and to the world. Millions of people have contracted the virus and millions also have died. Daily people’s lives around the world have been radically altered. Physical distancing has reshaped human interaction in different ways including worship and religious observances. The Church has been unable to gather for months, even during special seasons of the Church such as Lent and Easter. African liturgy is full of joy, love and togetherness which is very evident during weddings, funerals and during the celebration of the sacraments particularly the Eucharist. Many people have found solace, healing, faith, hope and love through the church gatherings. However, this Covid 19 era has made the mandate of the church of proclamation of the Gospel very difficult to achieve. Church buildings are deserted and some instances have become expensive monuments, difficult to maintain because our main source of income, the faithful and the Minister, are both under lockdown in their homes. Prayer meetings, Church gatherings, Sacraments and many other activities have been banned making it difficult for the Church to practice its mandate.
A Critical Evaluation of the Realities of COVID-19 and A Quest to Restore the Broken Lives Rooted on Mission and Theology
As this paper is being written in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it sympathetically points out that the pandemic has brought enormous trauma, horrifying, scary, disrupted economies, disrupted social life, and unemployment. Generally, everything has been negatively affected locally and globally. Perhaps, people need to flush back with the same scaring interpretations people had during the beginning of HIV and AIDS in the past. Some of the scary words used were shuramatongo (mysterious), kambezo (small axe), mukondombera (outbreak), etc. HIV and AIDS had become the talk of the day, particularly in Africa. It had become the pulse of social media. Sadly, the infected and affected suffered stigmatization, discrimination, blame, rejection, etc. However, they overcome it in the end and today we are living with this disease that came to stay. Perhaps it could be the same with COVID-19.
‘The Church is the Mother of Christians’: The Relevance of the Church in Contemporary Era
Natural disasters come and go, and so do pandemics. The Church, amid it all, is not left unaffected. She is tried and tested during such times as is the faith of her members. How can the Church be a Mother to Christians, even in these times of adversity? The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that ‘it is in the Church, in communion with all the Baptized that the Christian fulfills his vocation.’1 From the Church one receives the following; the Word of God with the teachings of the “Law of Christ,” the grace of the Sacraments to sustain one on the way, learns an example of holiness, recognizes its model and the source in the all-holy Virgin Mary, discern the authentic teaching of those who live it as well as discover in the spiritual tradition and long history of the saints who have gone before.2 This, in a nutshell, describes the Church as the Mother and what it does, teaching, sanctifying and developing a Christian. The Magisterium describes the Church as the “pillar and bulwark of truth.3
Mater et Magistra: The role of the Church’s Magisterium in the development of social thought
"The Church in each country, under the Pastoral guidance of the local bishops, has a continuing duty to apply the values of the gospel to the problems of the society and so help all members of the Church, lay, religious and ordained to play an active part in striving to build a just and compassionate social order”.1 Here the duty of the Church is highlighted as that of guiding the faithful in matters of faith and morals in a society. “For more than a century the Catholics have analyzed the issues of life in society to propose fundamental principles, to define judgment criteria and suggest concrete guidelines”.2 This whole thought is called ‘Catholic Social Doctrine’. Several Popes have taken the lead in expounding Catholic Social Teaching by writing many documents called Encyclical Letters. One such letter is the Mater et Magistra. This article seeks to discuss the role of the Magisterium in the development of the social thought, in light of Mater et Magistra
A focus on Augustine’s Understanding of the Most Holy Trinity Concentrating on the Unity and the Distinction of Three Persons of the Trinity and its Implications on Families in Zimbabwe
This article focuses on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity according to St Augustine and its implications on family life in Zimbabwe. What is of interest in this article is how Augustine explains the unity and the distinction of the three Persons of the Triune God and lessons that can be drawn from family life in Zimbabwe. The article identifies some of the challenges of family life in Zimbabwe and goes on to reflect on the idea that Augustine’s doctrine of the most Holy Trinity on the unity and distinctions of the three Persons of the Triune God is a perfect model for family life in Zimbabwe.
Synodality as a Way of Being a Church Today: Implications, Challenges and Prospects
Since its introduction, the Synod of Bishops has been a platform where a group of bishops gathers to deliberate on issues of concern to the Church and make recommendations for possible implementation by the Pope. In so doing, as Paul VI had desired, the Synod fathers have been of great help to the Pope in advising him on crucial matters of the Church. Even though not all the recommendations have been considered by the Pope, the mere exposure of the issues during the deliberations has opened up more debate among theologians, scholars, and the wider Church. This article examines the concept of synodality as a new way of being Church. Originating from a Synod, synodality is emerging as a model of a Church in which all members, both lay and clerics, are interested in and participate in the affairs that affect them as members of the Church and all take time to listen to one another. The article argues that with all its challenges, such a model is faithful to the idea of the Church as a community of baptized members and encourages all to feel being part of the Church
Principles of Interreligious Dialogue: Bridging a Relations Gap Between the Roman Catholic Church and the Zimbabwean State
Conflict is a reality of life. It seems to characterize the daily order of the world today. Africa and Zimbabwe in particular are no exceptions. Almost every facet of social life is caught up in conflict and violence in religious, social, and political spheres, among other aspects of daily living.1 This article aims to demonstrate how the principles of interreligious dialogue (IRD) may assist in bridging the relations gap between the Roman Catholic Church and the Zimbabwean state. To achieve this aim, the writer will begin by defining key terms followed by a brief discussion on dialogue. Thereafter, the author will show how the ten principles of IRD according to Leonardo Swidler may assist in resolving the conflict between the aforementioned parties. Eventually, the writer will give a critique and draw a conclusion that through the pedagogical, informative, and personal aspects of the principles of IRD the relational gap between the Catholic Church and the state would be narrowed down.
Understanding Understanding Pluralism, Ecumenism and Religious Dialogue in Light of the Conciliar Doctrine of the Trinity , Ecumenism and Religious Dialogue in Light of the Conciliar Doctrine of the Trinity
The Conciliar doctrine of the Trinity cannot be defined outside the auspices of Scripture and Tradition, given that all doctrine is shaped by these two fundamentals. They are the source and foundation of faith. Therefore, it is no surprise that the Trinity, both in essence and in persons, in unity and in diversity, is explicit from the very outset of the creation narrative (Gen. 1:1, 27). In like manner, the practices and teachings of the Church fathers throughout history could not be found wanting insofar as defining the Trinity is concerned, nor did ecumenical councils. It is therefore against this backdrop that the researcher endeavours to provide a concise definition of Conciliar Doctrine of the Trinity prior to demonstrating its nexus with Pluralism, Ecumenism and Religious Dialogue.
African Traditional Religion(s) and Inter-religious Dialogue Sheasby Gondo
Dialogue is from the Greek words dia and logos. These words can translate to having a conversation or talking to each other. The study of interreligious dialogue is an attempt to engage for better understanding and cooperation. It is “primarily a conversation between believers of different faiths or religious traditions”.1 It aims at assessing the barriers to communication between religious groups. More precisely, it is a means by which different parties can bypass these barriers. Notably, African Traditional Religion (ATR) is a segment that deserves an opportunity for dialogue with other religions. ATR is an indigenous response to the Supreme Being and his proxies. Considering the significant success of missionary activities in their deliberate and systematic effort to wipe out ATR. It is salient that Christianity re-engages to promote mutual respect. This article shall point out ways in which interreligious dialogue can assist one in forming informed and better relations with ATR. It shall point out and assess some negative attitudes towards ATR and how their elimination results in good dialogue.
Martyrdom is one of the oldest ways that the church used as a measuring stick for one to be considered a saint. This was done in response to the ongoing persecutions that happened in the Early Church. However, with the development of the Church, Martyrdom was redefined to go beyond the shedding of blood as the single criterion of identifying martyrs in the Church. The purpose of this essay is to discuss in detail the figure of Nelson Mandela and how his deeds can qualify him to be called a modern Christian Father while defying the criteria that the Church used. Nelson Mandela shall therefore be the character because of the various reasons that will be discussed in this essay but generally choosing him was because of how he suffered politically for the freedom of South Africa. The details in this essay will therefore provide justification as to why Nelson Mandela can be considered a modern Christian martyr.
Ethical Medical Research: An Imperative for African Countries An Imperative for African Countries
The argument of this article is that developing, strengthening, and sustaining comprehensive and ethically sound medical research through prioritisation, local funding and increased investments is imperative for African countries. The basis of this argument is that there are pressing health needs in Africa and a significant gap in medical knowledge necessary for the development of much-needed medical solutions. Thus, the proposed research makes it possible to generate knowledge and other related initiatives necessary for the prevention and cure of diseases as well as for improving human health. Through the same research, medical innovation, drug discovery and testing, and development of medical technologies, new and improved diagnostic and therapeutic interventions can be systematically and ethically done. Informed by the values enshrined in ubuntu, I propose that the new knowledge obtained from research and other discoveries must be translated into health system improvements, innovations, and development. To make this a reality in Africa, there is a need for breaking the cycle of dependence (which brings complacency and hampers innovation) through ownership and adequate sponsorship of the research agenda. This entails a significant shift from foreign-funded and owned medical research to African-designed, owned, and controlled research which are contextually relevant and informed by local needs.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT): An Exploration of Online Child Abuse During Covid-19 Pandemic
Covid-19 has prompted widespread school closures and physical distancing measures and made online platforms and communities essential to maintaining a sense of normalcy.1 Children are turning to digital solutions more than ever for learning purposes, socialization and play.2 While online platforms provide huge opportunities for children to learn different things and to entertain themselves, these same platforms increase children’s exposure to online abuse.3 Digital media contain a high potential for addiction. Covid-19 has prompted widespread school closures and physical distancing measures and made online platforms and communities essential to maintaining a sense of normalcy.1 Children are turning to digital solutions more than ever for learning purposes, socialisation and play.2 While online platforms provide huge opportunities for children to learn different things and to entertain themselves, these same platforms increase children’s exposure to online abuse.3 Digital media contain a high potential for addiction. Children and youth are more at risk compared to adults because it is more difficult for them to differentiate between the real and virtual worlds. When a smartphone vibrates [rings] one has to react as quickly as possible, no matter where one is.4 For many it is difficult to endure not looking at their cell phone for the length of 10 minutes. One reason for such addiction is the desire of children and youth for recognition. Such recognition is noticeable through the number of “ followers” and “likes” one gets which translates into the measure of one’s popularity. To win the competition, they spend a lot of time in the search for something new.5 Often unusual, such as sharing naked images which fall in the hands of some hackers/ offenders who then misuse them and exploit the young people. and youth are more at risk compared to adults because it is more difficult for them to differentiate between the real and virtual worlds. When a smartphone vibrates [rings] one has to react as quickly as possible, no matter where one is.4 For many it is difficult to endure not looking at their cell phone for length of 10 minutes. One reason for such addiction is the desire of children and youth for recognition. Such recognition is noticeable through the number of “ followers” and “likes” one gets which translates into the measure of one’s popularity. To win the competition, they spend a lot of time in search for something new.5 Often unusual, such as sharing naked images which fall into the hands of some hackers/ offenders who then misuse them and exploit the young people.
An Evaluation of Sex Education in School Curriculum on Moral Grounds
Education is an integral aspect of human life. It is vital that school curriculums include the subject of sex education. On moral grounds, sex education in the school curriculum is plausible as it helps school children to understand all the aspects of human sexuality and their implications. In itself, sex education is broad and covers a whole range of topics that have to do with sexuality. Topics such as teenage pregnancy, abortion, masturbation, sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STI/D) marriage, relationships, mensuration, contraceptives, and many others, which are subjects to sex education, clearly indicate the moral importance of sex education in the school curriculum. However, on the other hand, including sex education in the school curriculum means exciting the students with the desire to experiment with sexual intercourse among other things. Having said this, the article shall in detail, evaluate moral grounds for sex education in the school curriculum.
A Commentary on John Paul II’s Assertion: “Contraception and Abortion are Fruits of the Same Tree, and are Hallmarks of a Culture of Death”
In these modern days, more and more methods and techniques are developed by science and medicine about birth control. Among these methods are contraceptive methods and abortion which have become normative in many parts of the world. Many people argue that contraception reduces the rate of abortion. However, John Paul II mentioned that “contraception and abortion are fruits of the same tree, and are hallmarks of a culture of death”. This article will be a commentary on John Paul II’s assertion. It will be divided into three main parts. The first part will be about definitions of some key terms of John Paul II’s assertion. That is to say what is meant by the “culture of death”, abortion and contraception? The second part will try to elaborate on contraception and abortion as “fruits of the same tree”. And the last part will point out how to understand contraception and abortion as “hallmarks of a culture of death”.
“Social Progress is only Possible on the Basis of a Sound Christian Morality.”
Human experience and facticity attest to the fact that, no matter what it takes, nobody absolutely lives on an island. Instead, we are in one way or another, globally connected to the effect that what happens in one part of the world yields a virtuous or pernicious effect on the rest of the world. Accordingly, it is legitimate and necessary to have an established set and system of morals and values to guide our social life in order that every individual and society at large progresses toward the good. However, the topical question which preoccupies us is how can we foster this social progress. As a result, this paper endeavours to explain whether social progress is only possible on the basis of sound Christian morality or not. Yet in order to substantiate this, we shall begin by understanding Christian morality and then see if it can be the only necessary condition for social progress or not.
Traditionally, at least in the West, ethics was exclusively concerned with human action in relation to other business beings and has generally considered non-human creatures to be mere means to human ends, not ends in themselves. This view was recently challenged and this formed the primary goal of environmental ethics. It seeks to rethink moral philosophy and reformulate ethical theory so that it may include direct moral consideration of non-human creatures. This article seeks to show that business is inextricably tied to environmental issues. It will critically analyse some moral dilemmas in environmental responsibility by forwarding three distinct moral theories concerning the environment. A fourth “theory,” Shona ecology, shall be considered to see whether it can be a viable alternative.
Theodicy and Anthropogenic: A Theology of Disasters in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic
History bears testimony to the revolutionary nature of disasters both natural and anthropogenic. As the adage goes, ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ major ideological shifts and religious innovations emerged out of a crisis of necessity. When the COVID-19 Pandemic appeared in the last month of the year 2019, the World Health Organization DirectorGeneral, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hinted that with the new virus, the world will never be the same again and people should brace for a new normal. This article interrogates the traditional understanding of theodicy in light of modern anthropogenic studies. The argument in this article is in favor of a new systematic theology of disaster based on the contribution of human beings to natural evils.
Humanity Created in the Image of God: How do we Account for the Suffering in the World and what is our way out? A Paper on Christian Political Anthropology
This paper will look at the sacredness of humanity and see the relationship between humanity and God. It also seeks to look at the suffering faced by humanity, a suffering which is by and large caused by fellow human beings, and to provide possible recommendations for alleviating suffering. What can humanity do in the face of suffering? When will the cry of humanity end and what attitude should we take in the face of suffering? In writing this paper, some scholars will be considered including Karl Rahner (God of my life: Encounters with Silence), Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologiae), M Shawn Copeland (Enfleshing Freedom) and other sufferings that are faced by humanity in this world mostly political. The problem of Covid- 19 is in the background of this suffering. The situation in Zimbabwe will be our focus. The paper will consider possible ways of alleviating suffering, invoking scholars like Sobrino, Shawn Copeland, Jonathan Sacks, Emmanuel Levinas, and Viktor Frankl.
Homosexuality in the Light of Image and Likeness: A Christian Anthropological Approach
The article discusses the Theology of the Body’s concept of Man as created in the Image of God which can be traced from antiquity since it has a rich and long tradition. This is evident in the works of Patristics and doctors of the Church like Augustine and Aquinas, who devotedly wrote about “the body and its relation to the soul, created by God in his image and destined for bodily resurrection” (Pope Pius XI) although some promulgated doctrines are now understood as erroneous in some way. Furthermore, the article examines the relevance of the pedagogy of this concept, that man was created in the image of God in light of the challenge of homosexuality which can be traced from the Old Testament excerpts for example, Leviticus 18 and 20. To begin, it is worth familiarizing me with the Theology of the Body to help me understand the scope of this project. John Paul II describes Theology of the Body as “a specific, evangelical, Christian pedagogy that unfolds and explains the revelation of the body by reflecting on the human experience”.1 “Pedagogy seeks to educate man by setting the requirements before him, giving reasons for them, and indicating the ways that lead to their fulfillment”.2 Given that, this article scope, will investigate in an in-depth manner the concept of Man-not in the literary sense as some have mistakenly interpreted created in the imago Dei and examine the significance of that teaching to the modern-day challenge of homosexuality as understood by varied disciplines.
God, Science, and Covid-19: A Threesome at Work from a Nietzschean Perspective
It is seemingly very easy to claim that God is dead given the view that many people nowadays have recourse to science when faced with pandemics and other calamities rather than to God. This is exactly what Nietzsche has prophesied when he claimed that God is dead. i However, Nietzsche is often misunderstood by some people who do not read him so closely. What he exactly said is that during his time science was more flourishing and providing more solutions to the problems of humanity than religion was. He did not say that God is dead to mean death in the strict sense of the word ‘death’ but death in the sense that people were no longer having recourse to God for the solutions of their problems. During this time of the novel Covid-19 pandemic, the so-called churches were closed and almost everybody including the Holy Father was forced to remain at home.ii Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic has proven that the real church is not all about the buildings. It is instead a convocation or an assembly. In this respect, it «designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose…. In the Church, God is calling together his people from all the ends of the earth”.1 With Covid-19 Pandemic, there is a spirited dispute about where the solution to the Covid-19 scourge should come from. Many are those who are waiting for the solution to come from science. Many again are those who despise science and cling to their God as the ultimate respondent to their queries including the eradication of Covid-19 and other calamities. There also exist others whose views are mixt. For them, they believe that God can provide an answer to those problems through his people especially the scientists. As a result, their prevailing demand to God, via their prayers, is the discovery of a vaccine, indeed an efficient and effective vaccine, or simply a cure for this pandemic. I cannot forget to mention that there are even other people who are neither waiting for the answer to come from God nor Science. Hence, the existence of the divisions brought about by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, given that very many people have despised religion and God for not being able to eradicate both the covid-19 pandemic and its adversities, should we conclude that God is dead? This paper aims to provide an answer to this problem. It argues that the advancement of science does neither prove death nor the silence of God during the calamities such as the Covid-19 pandemic because science is arguably a language of God. For God is a scientist par excellence. The paper posits that Covid-19 is a test to humanity to revisit the mirror in which they view one another
From Anthropocentrism to New Ecology, against Climate Disaster: An Appraisal based on Francis’ Laudato Si`
The history of the Church profusely records overwhelming evidence which points to the prophetic nature of the Church. Various Church documents also attest to the prophetic nature of the Church because they anticipated many of the socio-economic, political and religious phenomena happening in contemporary society. The Church’s leaders and members are thus prophetic to the extent that the Popes down the centuries promulgate encyclicals that are deeply rooted in and stem from the rich tradition of the Catholic Church and yet they are informed by the contemporary challenges arising from a varied spectrum of socio-economic and political spheres. Technological advancements and capitalist greed exacerbate the reductionistic view of God’s creation. Creation, specifically, the environment is attributed to an instrumental value, which means that its value is dependent on its usefulness to human beings. This anthropocentric view of the environment dominated the Church and even the world at large for a long time. However, Pope Francis promulgated a prophetic encyclical entitled Laudato Si, which advocates for ecocentrism instead of parochial one-dimensional eco-spiritualities which limit our worldview and diminish humanity’s respect for the environment hence the escalating problem of climate change (global warming) and associated incessant natural disasters like cyclones.
Migration and Climate Change in the Horn of Africa: Mainly in Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan
The influx of migrants within the Horn of Africa or crossing international boundaries in search of stability and asylum-seeking is largely propelled by climate change. Climate change is responsible for the migration of people, conflict and a palpable lack of economic stability. As a result, 17 million people are threatened by a severe shortage of food in the Horn of Africa. The Horn is therefore one of the regions that is highly affected by climate change. Environmental crisis and eco-imbalance in the Horn of Africa is epitomized by perennial droughts, unpredictable rains, desertification, flash floods, and land degradation. As such, climate change and human life are coterminous.
COVID -19 and the Vulnerability of Children (0-5 years): A Question to Medical Practitioners?
What future generation will be there since the outbreak of COVID-19? Will those growing today be physically fit as nature without COVID-19 had intended it? How are we nurturing the young ones to make sure that as they silently fight the Coronavirus disease no damage is done to their development? Will their cognitive development and memory be built up as they should without COVID-19? What measures has there been to look at this?
Climate Change Education and Bringing about a Responsive Awareness to the Rural Settlers in Africa
The problems of Climate change constitute the major threats in our world today. As a global problem, climate change affects both our present and future generations. It is quite unfortunate that in our world, some people do not see the need to address the issue of climate change. Such people see the whole climate change topic as an unnecessary issue on which we should not spend our time and energy discussing. Such people neither believe in the effects of climate change nor see its effects as worth the attention given to it. One of such instance is the United States National Security Strategy released in 2017, in which there is not even a mention of the climate change topic. This very action possibly suggests that the 2017 National Security Strategy does not see the issue of climate change as something dire enough to pose a threat to the United States. One can hardly deny that climate change has brought about frequent episodes of flooding, heatwave, and environmental displacement of people leading to migration, poverty, and so many other problems around the world.
Coronavirus: A possible vehicle of paradigm shift in human consciousness
“The greatest souls are awakened out of suffering and the most impressive personalities endure many scars”.1 The great Paul was awakened out of a massive blow, likewise, a Happy Easter Sunday came out of Good Friday. Or, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1: 46). In fact, “There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven…” (Ecc 3:1ff). There is a reason for everything! In the life cycle of the leaf, the leaf remains a leaf but with a different appearance in different seasons, and with a different mission at a particular given time. The question might be, is a leaf accepting the present moment, regardless of its status? Every stage can be more powerful if it accepts the present moment and also makes use of every stage of its life. I shall make use of this leaf image as the article continues. Now, the principal aim of this paper is a quest in trying to approach the reality of Covid-19 through a new prism. Thus, I think this deadly pandemic (Covid-19) can be a possible vehicle of a paradigm shift in human consciousness. To demonstrate this position, I have three points to present: (1) the deadly nature of Coronavirus particularly on the reality of death, (2) how this pandemic can be understood to be a vehicle of a paradigm shift, then (3) embracing the art of consciousness rather than compulsiveness. Does it mean we have to fight through the bad days in order to earn the best of ourselves? I think so! Thus, this article seeks to shift one’s consciousness from compulsiveness in these challenging moments of the deadly virus. Covid-19 shall be understood as a deadly virus whose origin is still not clear and consciousness as a complete union of oneself with his/her intelligence. This shall be tackled in detail as the article unfolds
The impact of Covid-19 on the family, socio-cultural life and the transformation of spiritual life
When God created everything, He said “this is good” and indeed all that He created was good. (Genesis 1 vs 31) The man was put in charge of all these good creatures to keep them and take care of everything. When we read through the scriptures and come across these verses in the Book of Genesis, someone is tempted to ask, are the challenges we face today the creation of the same God who created wonderful and good things? One may ask, are these pandemics the good creations of God? Some may ask, where is God in all these pandemics? This is a million-dollar question. Life is made up of a mixture of both good and bad things, happy and sad moments, and ups and downs, this is the journey of life. God is present in all these situations and He invites us to see Him in the calamities we encounter in our day-to-day lives. In this paper, I am going to put my focus on the Covid 19 pandemic, how it has affected the world, and how people are going through their lives faced with this pandemic.
The previous issue of Dare, ‘Faith Seeking Understanding’, provided a collection of theological reflections which served the purpose of deepening faith, via a clear comprehension of the Christian faith. Nevertheless, while deliberating and reflecting the direction this edition should take, the Editorial Board of Dare would not be indifferent to the impact and effects of the novel COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters in our midst. In his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti – a letter on Fraternity and Social Friendship, the Holy Father, Pope Francis begins by stating that Saint Francis of Assis “felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh” (2). The worldwide tragedy, COVID-19 pandemic has by showing no exclusivity momentarily revived the fundamental value that we are really a global community (32). Likewise, other disasters like Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, floods, landslides, among other calamities awakened us from slumber to realise our need and concern for the other and the environment. Thus, the pandemic and calamities broke all racial, tribal, cultural, economic, social, and religious barriers and demarcations. They revealed once more the ineluctable and critical awareness to live in harmony with each other and our environment. As such, inspired by the awareness that we are a global community, this year’s edition, Continuity and Novelty Amidst Challenges: COVID-19 and Natural Disasters seek to reflect deeper on the impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters on human lives, faith, and evangelization as Christians. Hence, different contributors to this present edition confirm that the presence of the pandemic in our midst has indubitably taught and still calls humanity to adopt new styles of life and new means of evangelization.