Abstract
The interface between religion and development has elicited varying scholarly responses. Given the elasticity of the concepts of religion and development, there continues to be debate on whether and how religion affects development. This chapter focuses on the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its project, the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA), to re?ect on the interplay between religion and development. It contends that while the WCC has sought to contribute to development by mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS in Africa, its status as an external development agency militates against its efforts. The WCC has lofty ideas and ideals, and encourages its member churches to meet them, but it does not have the mechanism to enforce its vision. In short, it relies on the goodwill of its member churches to bring its vision to fruition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Adogame, A. & Chitando, E. (2005), ‘Moving Among Those Moved by the Spirit: Conducting Fieldwork within the New African Religious Diaspora’ Fieldwork in Religion, 1(3), pp. 253–70.
Banana, C. S. (1996), Politics of Repression and Resistance: Face to Face with Combat Theology, Gweru: Mambo Press.
Beckmann, N. (2009), ‘AIDS and the Power of God: Narratives of Decline and Coping Strategies in Zanzibar’ in Becker, F. & Wenzel, P. G. (eds), Aids and Religious Practice in Africa, Leiden: Brill.
Chirambo, K. (ed.) (2008), The Political Cost of AIDS in Africa: Evidence from Six Countries, Pretoria: Idasa.
Chirimuuta, R. C. & Chirimuuta, R. J. (1987), AIDS, Africa and Racism, London: Richard Chirimuuta.
Chitando, E. (2007), Living with Hope: African Churches and HIV/AIDS, vol. 1, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Chitando, E. (ed.) (2008), Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in Theological Programmes: Experiences and Explorations, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Cimperman, M. (2005), When God’s People Have HIV/AIDS: An Approach to Ethics, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
Deneulin, S. & Bano, M. (2009), Religion in Development: Rewriting the Secular Script, London: Zed Books.
de Waal, A. (2006), AIDS and Power: Why There is No Political Crisis – Yet, London: Zed Books.
Dube, M. W. (ed.) (2003), AfricaPraying: A Handbook on HIV/AIDS Sensitive Sermon Guidelines and Liturgy, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Esack, F. & Chiddy, S. (2009), ‘Introduction’ in Esack, F. & Chiddy, S. (eds), Islam and AIDS: Between Scorn, Pity and Justice, Oxford: Oneworld.
Gifford, P. (1995) (eds), The Christian Churches and the Democratisation of Africa, Leiden: E. J. Brill.
Iliffe, J. (2006), The African AIDS Epidemic: A History, Oxford: James Currey.
Lux, S. & Greenaway, K. (2006), Scaling up Effective Partnerships: A Guide to Working with Faith-based Organizations in the Response to HIV and AIDS, Geneva: Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
Mapuranga, T. & Chitando, E. (2008), ‘The World Council of Churches and Politics in Zimbabwe: From the Programme to Combat Racism to Operation Murambatsvina (1969–2005)’ in Kunter, K. & Schjørring, J. H. (eds), Changing Relations between Churches in Europe and Africa: The Internationalization of Christianity and Politics in the 20th Century, Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag.
Marshall, K. & Keough, L. (2004), Mind, Heart and Soul in the Fight against Poverty, Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
Messer, D. E. (2004), Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis, Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Ndugane, N. (2003), A World with a Human Face: A Voice from Africa, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Njoroge, N. J. (2008), ‘Daughters and Sons of Africa: Seeking Life-Giving and Empowering Leadership in the Age of HIV/AIDS Epidemic’ in Hinga, T. M., Kubai, A. N., Mwaura, P. & Ayanga, H. (eds), Women, Religion and HIV/AIDS in Africa: Responding to Ethical and Theological Challenges, Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.
Núñez, E. A. C. & Taylor, W. D. (1996), Crisis and Hope in Latin America. An Evangelical Perspective, Chicago: Moody Press.
Orobator, A. E. (2005), From Crisis to Kairos: The Mission of the Church in the Time of HIV/AIDS, Refugees and Poverty, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa.
Parry, S. (2008), Beacons of Hope: HIV Competent Churches: A Framework for Action, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Paterson, G. (2005), AIDS-Related Stigma: Thinking Outside the Box: The Theological Challenge, Geneva: Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
Phiri, I. A. & Nadar, S. (eds) (2006), African Women, Religion and Health: Essays in Honor of Mercy Amba Ewudziwa Oduyoye, Maryknoll, NJ: Orbis Books.
Plan of Action (2002), The Ecumenical Response to HIV/AIDS in Africa, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Ryan, C. (2003), ‘AIDS and Responsibility: The Catholic Tradition’ in Bate, S. C. (ed.), Responsibility in a Time of AIDS: A Pastoral Response by Catholic Theologians and AIDS Activists in Southern Africa, Johannesburg: St Augustine College of South Africa.
Ryan, P. (1998), ‘The Shifting Contexts of Sin’ in Ryan, P. (ed.), Structures of Sin, Seeds of Liberation, Tangaza Occasional Papers, No. 7, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa.
Schmid, B. (2007), ‘Sexuality and Religion in the Time of AIDS’ in Maticka-Tyndale, E., Tiemoko, R. & Makinwa-Adebusoye, P. (eds), Human Sexuality in Africa: Beyond Reproduction, Johannesburg: Fanele.
UNAIDS (2008), ‘Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic: Executive Summary’, Geneva: UNAIDS.
van Beek, H. (2006), A Handbook of Churches and Councils: Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Weinreich, S. & Benn, C. (2004), AIDS – Meeting the Challenge: Data, Facts, Background, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
World Council of Churches (WCC) (1997), Facing AIDS: The Challenge, the Churches’ Response: A WCC Study Document, Geneva: World Council of Churches.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2010 Ezra Chitando
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chitando, E. (2010). Sacred Struggles: The World Council of Churches and the HIV Epidemic in Africa. In: Bompani, B., Frahm-Arp, M. (eds) Development and Politics from Below. Non-Governmental Public Action. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230283206_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230283206_11
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-31516-1
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-28320-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)